Washington County Commissioners to Convene for Key Policy Discussions and Hangar Lease Review

HAGERSTOWN, MD – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hold an open session meeting on September 22, 2026, where several significant agenda items are slated for discussion and potential action. Residents can expect deliberations on reclassifying a sheriff’s office position, a hangar lease extension at the regional airport, and the adoption of new policies concerning concussion management and abuse prevention. The meeting will also include time for staff and commissioner reports, and will conclude with a closed session to address personnel and legal matters.

During the open session, the board will consider a proposal to reclassify a Master Deputy position within the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to a Sergeant position. This proposed change is intended to rectify an oversight during the FY2027 budget process, where a Sergeant position was reclassified to Lieutenant without a corresponding adjustment to maintain the supervisory structure. The reclassification aims to restore the appropriate supervisory level and span of control for the Sheriff’s Office, ensuring adequate oversight of personnel and daily operations. This action would not increase the total number of authorized positions but would reallocate an existing one, with an estimated annual salary increase of approximately $6,611 for the position.

Another key item on the agenda involves the extension of a commercial hangar lease at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Royal Aircraft Services, LLC currently leases Hangar 21 and Hangar 22, with their current leases set to expire on September 30, 2026. Airport officials and Public Works staff are recommending a 12-month temporary lease extension through September 30, 2027. This extension would allow for continued negotiations on a longer-term agreement. Under the proposed temporary arrangement, Royal Aircraft would pay a uniform rental rate of $7.00 per square foot annually across both hangars. This represents a significant increase from the current rates, with an anticipated annual revenue increase for the county of approximately $81,374.20 for the proposed one-year period.

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Furthermore, the commissioners will review and potentially adopt new policies for the Parks and Recreation Department and for the county as a whole regarding abuse and misconduct prevention. The Parks and Recreation Concussion Management Policy is being recommended to address identified risks in coverage related to concussions in athletic and recreational programs, a recommendation stemming from a risk control visit. The proposed policy outlines procedures for the recognition, removal, evaluation, and return-to-play of participants suspected of sustaining a concussion. The adoption of this policy is expected to ensure compliance with insurance recommendations and state and federal laws, with no direct fiscal impact anticipated.

In parallel, the board will consider a new Abuse and Misconduct Prevention Policy for Washington County. Similar to the concussion policy, this initiative is a response to a risk control visit that identified exposed risks in coverage related to abuse and misconduct. The proposed policy aims to establish county procedures for screening applicants and employees, reporting and investigating allegations of abuse and misconduct, disciplinary actions, and training requirements. This policy is designed to align with insurance recommendations and state and federal laws, and will work in conjunction with the existing Harassment or Sexual Harassment policy. The policy defines abuse broadly, including child abuse, sexual abuse, and misconduct involving minors and vulnerable adults, and outlines reporting and investigation procedures, as well as disciplinary consequences.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the call to order and approval of previous minutes. Commissioner and staff reports will precede the public agenda items. A closed session is anticipated to commence at 9:50 AM, during which the board will discuss personnel matters, including reappointments to advisory boards and appointments to open county positions, as well as consult with legal counsel on confidential legal matters. The open session is expected to reconvene at 10:30 AM, after which the meeting will be adjourned.

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

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