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o Washington County
MARYLAND
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
March 3, 2026
STATE OF THE CITY PRESENTATION
Commissioner Barr and Commissioner Leatherman attended the State of the City presentation at the
Maryland Theatre, 21 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, hosted by the Hagerstown
Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation presented by Pastor Les MacIntosh, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the
full assemblage.
CALL TO ORDER
President John F. Barr called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington
County, Maryland, to order at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Vice-President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Randal A. Leatherman and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Commissioner Leatherman, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of
February 10, 2026. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner thanked Commissioner Harvey for his service to the County and his military
service to the United States. He wished the Republican Central Committee the best on selecting his
replacement.
Commissioner Leatherman thanked Commissioner Harvey for his service to the County and to our
Country. He recognized Neil Dorin, Director Hagerstown Regional Airport for all of his contributions
to maintain the Airport. He shared information on the St. Patrick's Day Run Fest sponsored by the
City of Hagerstown, the Depa11ment of Parks and Recreation and the Washington County Free Clinic
Commissioner Cline congratulated Deputy First Class Jeffrey Webb on being named 2025 Detention
Division Deputy of the Year for Washington County. He thanked the Department of Parks and
Recreation for a successful Super Heroes event. Commissioner Cline attended the Annual Business
Awards hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and he recognized the nominees and the winners. He
thanked Commissioner Harvey for hi s service to the County and our Country.
Commissioner Barr attended the Annual Business Awards hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and
he shared that Don Bowman received the Legacy Award. He attended the State of the City event and
wished the City of Hagerstown great success in their upcoming year. Commissioner Barr thanked
Commissioner Harvey for his service to the County and to our Country and he wished him the best in
his future endeavors.
STAFF COMMENTS
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, commented on the evening meeting with Funkstown and she
congratulated Mayor Paul Crampton for over forty (40) years of service to the town. She thanked
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Commissioner Harvey for his service to the County and to our Country. She attended the State of the
City at the Maryland Theatre.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, read the County's statement regarding the proposed I.C.E.
Processing Facility in the County.
1. GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 250TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL STATUE
Tom Riford, and Toby Mendez, George Washington Memorial Committee, presented the request to
approve the presented FY26 budget adjustment in the amount of$148,000.00 and commit $127,000.00
in FY27 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Arts and Culture funds; and to have the County donate in-
kind services and site preparation costs for the George Washington statue installation. Fiscal impact:
$275,000.00 plus site preparation costs. Funding for the FY26 contribution of $148,000.00 will be
transferred from capital reserves and budgeted in the A11s and Culture capital project. The FY27 funds
are accounted for in the FY27 Capital Improvement Budget Draft 1.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, clarified that the funds approved today are forward funding
for the statue to ensure that we meet the timeframe needed in order to have the project completed by
September, if the bond bill is approved they will reimburse the County for those funds.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the FY26 Budget
Adjustment in the amount of $148,000.00, commit $127,000.00 in FY27 Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP) Arts and Culture funds, and donation of in-kind services and site preparation costs for the
installation of the George Washington statue as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
2. PROCLAMATION FOR PURCHASING MONTH
The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County presented a proclamation to Brandi
Kentner, Director and the Washington County Purchasing Depaiiment staff in recognition of
Purchasing Month.
3. EMERGENCY/EXPEDITED/SOLE SOURCE {PUR-1804) ONE fl) AIRCRAFT RESCUE
FIRE FIGHTING (ARFF) UNIT
Brandi Kentner, Director, Purchasing; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works and Danny Shirley,
Airpmi Fire Chief, presented the request to authorize the expenditure for up to $800,000.00 for repairs
to Unit 35-2 and to purchase (I) 2014 Oshkosh Striker Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, 1950 Fire
Fighting Engine from Texas Fire Trucks of Cedar Park, TX. This purchase shall be contingent upon
the Fire Fighting Engine passing inspection performed by Lance's Fire Truck, of Robinson, TX, a
ce11ified professional third-party fire truck mechanic, to ensure compliance.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, shared that the Airport Fund is an Enterprise Fund and is self-
suppmting; this will be paid for from Capital Reserves, and it will be paid back over time from the
Airport Fund.
Commissioner Leatherman, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to authorize the expenditure for
up to $800,000.00 for repairs to Unit 35-2 and to purchase (1) 2014 Oshkosh Striker Aircraft Rescue
and Fire Fighting, 1950 Fire Fighting Engine from Texas Fire Trucks as presented. The motion passed
unanimously ( 4-0).
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OPEN Sr.:.sion, March 3, 20l6
4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE (INTG-26-0226) 2026 FORD F-
350 EXTENDED CAB TRUCK
Brandi Kentner, Director, Purchasing; and David Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste, presented the
request to authorize by Resolution, for the Department of Water Quality to purchase one (I) new 2026
Ford F-350 Extended Cab 4x4, 8' Bed Truck from Apple Ford, of Columbia, MD, in the amount of
$63,316.00 and to utilize another jurisdiction's contract (#0004504) that was awarded by Baltimore
County to Apple Ford. We are also seeking approval for a budget adjustment; the budget adjustment
includes the transfer of $34,110.00 to VEH007 from equipment sales on gov deals. Additionally,
$109.00 is needed to purchase the truck, which will come from Utility Admin CIP Reserves. There is
a total budget increase of$34,219.00.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to authorize by Resolution the
purchase of one (I) new 2026 Ford F-350 Extended Cab 4x4, 8' Bed Truck from Apple Ford and the
budget adjustment as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
5. PURCHASING DEPARTMENT NAME CHANGE TO WASHINGTON COUNTY OFFICE
OF PROCUREMENT
Brandi Kentner, Director, Purchasing, presented the request to approve the change of the Purchasing
Depaitment name to Washington County Office of Procurement.
Commissioner Leatherman, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the change of the
Purchasing Department name to Washington County Office of Procurement as presented. The motion
passed unanimously ( 4-0).
6. BID AWARD (PUR-1793) LABORATORY SERVICES FOR WATER/ WASTEWATER
TESTING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER QUALITY
Carin Bakner, Buyer, Purchasing; and Davina Yutzy, Deputy Director, Water Quality, presented the
request to award the bid for the Laboratory Services for Water/Wastewater Testing for the Department
of Water Quality to the responsible, responsive bidder ALS Group USA, dba ALS Environmental, of
Middletown, PA who submitted the lowest, annual, total bid sum in the amount of$168,057.00.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to award the bid for the
Laboratory Services for Water/Wastewater Testing to ALS Group USA, dba ALS Environmental as
presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
7. FY2027 PERSONNEL REQUESTS
Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources; and Kelcee Mace, Chief Financial Officer presented for
information purposes personnel requests and other personnel adjustments recommended for the
FY2027 budget.
8. FY27 GENERAL FUND BUDGET -PUBLIC SAFETY (LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
EMERGENCY SERVICES)
Sheriff Brian Albert, Washington County Sheriffs Office, presented for informational purposes the
FY2027 General Fund Budget for the Public Safety Divisions of Law Enforcement.
R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services; and Rick Hemphill, Washington County Volunteer Fire
and Rescue Association, presented for informational purposes the FY2027 General Fund Budget for
the Public Safety Divisions of Emergency Services.
9. FY27 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
Maria Kramer, Director, Grant Management, presented the funding recommendations of the
Community Organization Funding Committee for informational purposes.
10. JAIL BASED MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT) PROGRAM -
APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION AND ACCEPT FUNDING AS AWARDED
(REQUESTING $270,000)
Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager, Grant Management; and Meaghan Willis, Program Director,
Day Reporting Center, presented the request to approve submission of application and accept funding
as awarded for the Jail Based Medication Assisted Treatment Program. The funding request in the
amount of $270,000.00 will be used for parenting groups, family counseling, behavioral health group
treatment, financial coaching, drug/alcohol testing and electronic monitoring, contractual case
manager, printing of collateral materials for participants and the community, housing and
transportation, and general participant needs.
Commissioner Leatherman, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve submission of
application and to accept funding as awarded for the Jail Based Medication Assisted Treatment
Program as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
11. JAIL BASED MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT) PROGRAM
APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION AND ACCEPT FUNDING AS AWARDED
(REQUESTING $347,072.00)
Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager, Grant Management; and Meaghan Willis, Program Director,
Day Repo1ting Center, presented the request to approve submission of application and accept funding
as awarded for the Jail Based Medication Assisted Treatment Program. The Washington County
Detention Center (WCDC) is requesting approval to submit an application to the Governor's Office for
Crime Prevention, requesting $347,072.00 in funding to support the Jail Based Medication Assisted
Treatment (MAT) and accept any awarded funding. Funding will help advance the public safety and
public health goals by reducing overdose risk, suppo1ting continuity of care, and improving successful
community reentry outcomes for justice-involved individuals and will fund medications, clinical
staffing, drng testing supplies, and essential medical and safety items needed to sustain program
operations.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve submission of
application and accept funding as awarded for the Jail Based Medication Assisted Treatment Program
as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
12. WASHINGTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER MOOR GRANT
Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager, Grant Management; and Meaghan Willis, Program Director,
Day Reporting Center presented the request to approve applying for and receiving funds not to exceed
$369,939.00 from the Maryland Opioid Overdose Response. This grant, will fund the Washington
County Sheriff's Office, Detention Center's "Jail-Based Medication-Assisted Treatment Program."
Funding provided within this project will be used for medications, crushed pill pouches, rapid drug
testing devices, and contractual medical staff required to oversee and administer medications.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve applying for and
receiving funds not to exceed $369,939.00 from the Maryland Opioid Overdose Response as presented.
The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
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13. POLICE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION GRANT -APPROVAL TO ACCEPT
AW ARD ED FUNDING
Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager, Grant Management; and Lt. Daniel Monn, CALEA
Accreditation Manager, Washington County Sheriff's Office, presented the request to approve the
application for and acceptance of funds awarded under the FY2027 Police Recruitment and Retention
Grant Program from the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services in the not
exceed of $72,000.00. This program will provide financial incentives to existing full-time sworn
personnel who have worked for at least I full year.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the application for
and acceptance of funds awarded under the FY2027 Police Recruitment and Retention Grant Program
as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
14. AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL REAPPOINTMENTS
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk, presented the request to approve to accept the recommendation to
reappoint Cheree Ware, Dawn Nalley and Kathy Harple to serve a second, three-year term from
February I, 2026, through January 31, 2029, on the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. This is
not a paid board.
Commissioner Leatherman, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve to reappoint
Cheree Ware, Dawn Nalley and Kathy Harple as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to convene in closed session at
10:04 a.m. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
To discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation,
removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this
public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals.
(I). Personnel matters are confidential.
• Discussion of appointment to Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
• Discussion regarding structure, membership, and scope of responsibilities of ce1tain volunteer
board
To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter (7). Open session discussion would
breach attorney/client privilege.
• Status update and legal advice from County Attorney on County-Involved legal matter.
To conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate to the negotiations (9).
Open session discussion would disadvantage Board's ability to discuss bargaining strategy or ask
questions of legal counsel.
• Discuss proposed collective bargaining agreement.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed; and/or reached a consensus regarding:
• Appointments to the Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission;
• Discussion regarding the Historic District Commission and Historic Advisory Committee;
• Discussion regarding proposed collective bargaining agreement;
• Received legal advice and updates on pending litigation matters for which the County is a
party.
P<1ge Ci of 6
Of'l[N Session, Marcil 3, 20~6
Present during closed session at various times were Commissioners John F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline,
Derek Harvey, Randal A. Leatherman and Randall E. Wagner: Dawn Marcus, County Clerk and
Zachary J. Kieffer, County Attorney; Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Rosalinda Pascual,
Deputy County Attorney; Aaron Weiss, Assistant County Attorney; Victor Scarpelli, Assistant County
Attorney; Jennifer Kinzer, Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning; Megan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator,
Planning and Zoning and Liaison to the Historic District Commission; and Chip Rose, Director, Human
Resources.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to reconvene in open session
at 11 :23 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to adjourn at 11 :23 a.m. The
motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk