Washington County Commissioners to Address Budget Adjustments, Infrastructure Projects, and Public Safety at June Meeting

HAGERSTOWN, MD – The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County is scheduled to convene on June 9, 2026, for an open session meeting that will cover a wide array of important local matters. The agenda includes proposed budget adjustments for the Washington County Public Schools, infrastructure improvements, public safety initiatives, and various contract awards and renewals impacting county services. Residents can follow the proceedings, which will begin with the invocation and pledge of allegiance at 9:00 AM.

The commissioners will consider an agreement for the AFSCME collective bargaining memorandum of understanding, which aims to extend the current bargaining agreement for five years. Following this, a Youth Meritorious Award will be presented to acknowledge outstanding student achievement. An annual report from the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland will also be reviewed, providing an overview of the council’s activities and its $40,000 annual funding from the county.

A significant portion of the meeting will focus on fiscal matters, including proposed adjustments to the Washington County Board of Education’s FY26 General Fund budget. These adjustments are required by state law to re-forecast financial needs and reflect updated revenue and spending trends, with no anticipated fiscal impact beyond reallocating existing funds. The Board will also convene as the Board of Health to discuss substance abuse programs, state care coordination, and a Maryland Medical Assistance non-emergency transportation contract.

Infrastructure and public works will be prominent on the agenda, with discussions on property acquisitions for the Longmeadow Road and Paradise Church Road projects, as well as the Appletown Road property acquisition. The board will also consider an easement donation for the Mt. Aetna Water Line Project and review construction bids for intersection improvements at Showalter Road and Perini Avenue, along with the Appletown Road precast concrete box culvert. Contract extensions and renewals are slated for discussion, including heating oil supply and delivery, janitorial services for county buildings, and an upgrade to the electronic door controls and intercom system at the Washington County Detention Center.

Further agenda items include a contract award for a Local Care Team Coordinator, funded by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, which aims to fulfill requirements of the County’s Community Partnership Agreement. The board will also consider bid rejection for the hauling and recycling of scrap tires from the Forty West Landfill and a bid award for security gates at various Washington County Parks. Sole source procurements for CAD interface software for Emergency Management and Communications and for fire house software for the Division of Emergency Services are also on the docket, ensuring essential operational systems are maintained and updated.

The meeting will also address an intergovernmental cooperative purchase for the Maryland Emergency Service Transporter Supplemental Payment Program, designed to increase reimbursement for medical transport of Medicaid patients. Contracts for record-keeping and actuarial consulting services for retirement plans and post-employment benefits, as well as stop-loss insurance coverage, will be reviewed. Significant capital improvement projects at Hagerstown Regional Airport are also scheduled for discussion, including the rehabilitation of Runway 2-20, the demolition of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) building, and the realignment of the Airport Operations Area (AOA) fence and access gates. Additionally, the board will consider a contract award for Washington County Office Building roof repairs and renovations for the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.

Community development and public engagement are also key components of the meeting. The FY2027 Program Open Spaces annual program will be presented, outlining projects that leverage state funding for park development and acquisition, requiring a local match for development projects. The renewal of property and casualty insurance policies is expected to result in a 5.8% increase in premiums, with specific adjustments noted for auto liability and cyber coverage. The board will also celebrate National Dairy Month and promote the sixth annual Washington County Ice Cream Trail, encouraging support for local dairy farms and businesses. Appointments to the Washington County Diversity and Inclusion Committee and re-appointments to the Veterans Advisory Committee will also be made.

Public safety remains a priority, with a discussion on the First Amendment to a Memorandum of Understanding between Washington County Public Schools, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Board of County Commissioners concerning School Resource Officers. A general fund budget adjustment for FY27 is planned, reflecting revisions in state aid calculations for the Board of Education. Updated funding recommendations for community organizations will also be presented, with a total of $1.3 million proposed for disbursement to 52 organizations.

Finally, the board will consider applying for and accepting an ARC grant for the Fort Ritchie Sewer Project, which involves critical infrastructure replacement. The Division of Emergency Services will seek authorization to submit a FEMA SAFER Grant application to hire 24 additional firefighters, addressing staffing needs for emergency responses throughout the county. The meeting will conclude with a statement regarding a recent decision from the Open Meetings Compliance Board.

Individuals requiring special accommodations are requested to contact the Office of the County Commissioners at 240-313-2200 at least ten working days prior to the meeting.

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

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