Washington County Commissioners to Convene May 5th Meeting with Key Decisions on Land Preservation, Technology, and Public Safety

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners will hold its open session meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, addressing a range of critical agenda items that will impact agricultural land preservation, county technology infrastructure, and public safety. The meeting will include a public hearing on agricultural land preservation applications, a proclamation recognizing Preservation Month, and discussions on procurement and hiring recommendations. Additionally, the board will review a request for financial support from the Town of Boonsboro for essential waterline replacement and will issue a statement regarding a recent Open Meetings Compliance Board decision.

A significant portion of the morning will be dedicated to the 2026 Agricultural Land Preservation District Applications. A public hearing will be held at 9:30 AM, where Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator for the Planning and Zoning Department, will present applications from eight property owners. Approval of these applications will establish 10-year agricultural land preservation districts, signifying the landowners’ commitment to maintaining their properties for agricultural purposes. This designation is a prerequisite for potential future agricultural preservation easements and offers landowners county property tax credits on their agricultural land and buildings, as well as a credit on their dwellings. The proposed districts collectively encompass approximately 748 acres. The fiscal impact of these tax credits is estimated at $12 per acre per year, totaling about $8,976 annually in uncollected property taxes. The Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board and the Planning Commission have both recommended approval of these districts, finding them consistent with program criteria and the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

Following the land preservation discussion, the Board will formally proclaim May 2026 as Preservation Month in Washington County at 10:00 AM. This proclamation, presented to Meghan Jenkins, Geographic Information Systems Coordinator and representative of the Historic District Commission, acknowledges the importance of historic preservation in managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, and maintaining community character. The proclamation urges all citizens to participate in recognizing the contributions of individuals dedicated to preserving heritage.

The meeting will then move into procurement and personnel matters. At 10:05 AM, the Board will consider a quote award for Adobe Acrobat Pro DC for Teams, presented by Brandi Kentner, Director of Procurement, and Josh O’Neal, Chief Technical Officer for Information Technology. This contract, with a proposed term of three years and potential for two one-year renewals, is intended to provide enterprise licensing for essential PDF document management tools across county departments, supporting the transition to paperless processes and enhanced collaboration. The estimated cost for this software over three years is $193,912.47. Also at 10:05 AM, the Board will address a contract award for Construction/Building Inspection Services, which will establish a requirements contract for two years with options for three additional one-year renewals. This contract aims to procure inspection and laboratory services for various public improvement projects throughout the county, including roads, bridges, and buildings. Other political jurisdictions within the county may also utilize these services. The RFP process attracted three proposal submittals, and the board will select a primary and a standby contractor based on the lowest responsive and responsible proposals.

At 10:10 AM, two hiring recommendations will be presented by Chip Rose, Director of Human Resources. The first is for the position of Chief Site Inspector, with a proposed offer to Ralph Weaver at Grade 13, Step 15, equating to an annual salary of $92,498. The second hiring recommendation is for an ECS Quality Assurance & Training Coordinator, with a proposed offer to Brian Beall at Grade 13, Step 6, with an hourly rate of $35.61, or an annual salary of $74,069. Both positions are budgeted within the county.

Later in the morning, at 10:15 AM, the Town of Boonsboro officials, including Mayor Howard Long and Town Manager Rachel Souders, will present a request for county support regarding the replacement of the Potomac Street waterline. The existing waterline has been compromised by years of repairs that resulted in varying pipe sizes, creating a bottleneck and leading to pressure inconsistencies and bursts, particularly during high-pressure conditions. The town is embarking on the Crestview Bypass Project, which is anticipated to exacerbate the pressure issues on the current line. The total cost for replacing the problematic sections of the waterline is estimated at $2,941,290. The Town of Boonsboro plans to allocate $783,000 from its Water Fund Restricted Account and $1.5 million from its General Fund Reserves, leaving a deficit of $658,290, excluding potential contingencies. The county’s fiscal impact for this request is yet to be determined.

The meeting will also include a statement from Board President John F. Barr at 10:25 AM regarding a decision issued by the Open Meetings Compliance Board on April 29, 2026. In accordance with state law, a public announcement and summary of the opinion will be provided.

Following these open session items, the Board will enter a closed session at 10:30 AM to discuss confidential personnel matters, including appointments to various advisory boards and staffing assignments, as well as to consult with legal counsel on specific legal matters. The Board is scheduled to reconvene in open session at 1:00 PM.

The day’s proceedings will conclude with a public budget presentation and hearing for Fiscal Year 2027 at 6:00 PM, held at the Public Safety Training Center in Hagerstown. Those who wish to comment at the public hearing must sign up in advance.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Washington County Board of County Commissioners.

---