HomeMy WebLinkAbout260512 - Open Minutes[ l
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MARY l AND
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Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
May 12, 2026
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation presented by John F. Barr, 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, Commissioner Neil C. Parrott and Commissioner
Randall E. Wagner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the minutes of
April 28, 2026. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner attended the graduation of Trooper Class 160 for Maryland State Police and
Law Enforcement. Commissioner Wagner shared that there were twenty six (26) total graduates and
that his grandson was the speaker at the event and a graduate as well.
Commissioner Leatherman attended the Boonsboro Future Farmers of America Chapter banquet. He
commented on the level of discipline of the young members, and he thanked the faculty of Boonsboro
High School for leading the program.
Commissioner Parrott thanked all who attended the Budget Presentation. He recognized the mothers
of Washington County for the recent Mother's Day Holiday. Commissioner Parrott wished
Commissioner Leatherman a Happy Birthday. He commented on a book "DeTaxify Your Life: by
local author Bev Stitely.
Commissioner Cline thanked all who attended the Budget Presentation. He attended the local Police
Academy Graduation on behalf of the Commissioners. Commissioner Cline visited Matty Snook Park
and thanked those who donated their time to raise the Veteran's statues and memorials. He attended
the Con-ectional Officers recognition luncheon. He wished Commissioner Leatherman a Happy
Bi11hday. Commissioner Cline attended the Boonsboro Future Farmers of America and shared
information on the group. He attended the 30th Anniversary of Nutters Ice Cream.
Commissioner Barr wished Commissioner Leatherman a Happy Bi11hday. He attended the 30th
Anniversary ofNutters Ice Cream. He reminded all that it is Prom Season and as we are coming up on
the end of the school year to be careful with the students driving out on the roadways. Commissioner
Barr attended the ABATE kickoff to motorcycle season with Commissioners Cline and Leatherman.
STAFF COMMENTS
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OPEN Session, May 12, 2026
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator attended a tour of the Airport Traffic Control Tower with our
local dignitaries. She attended the Land Use Council Meeting.
Ms. Gordon requested a consensus for a letter of support for the Washington County Sheriff's
Depa1tment grant funding request through the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network. If received the
funding would be utilized to purchase drones and small unmanned aircraft systems.
The Commissioners reached a unanimous consensus (5-0) in suppott of the letter to the Washington
County Sheriffs Office for the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network grant.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, had an Administrative change, next week's Board of County
Commissioners Meeting scheduled for next week has been canceled. The next regular Board of County
Commissioners meeting will be held on June 9, 2026
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, read the County's statement regarding the proposed I.C.E.
Processing Facility in the County. She shared information received from the County's meeting with
DHS officials regarding the proposed I.C.E. Processing Facility in the County. Ms. Gordon shared
information regarding a press release that will be sent out later today.
1. DRUG TREATMENT COURT MONTH (MAY 2026)
The Board of County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Jennifer Bricker, Drug Court
Coordinator; Circuit Court for Washington County, Richelle Scrugham, Case Manager, Circuit Coutt
for Washington County, Greg Barton, Maryland Judiciary; and Mark Singer, Circuit Coutt
Administrator, Circuit Court for Washington County for Drug Treatment Court Month.
2. JUROR APPRECIATION MONTH PROCLAMATION
The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County presented a proclamation to Mark Singer,
Circuit Court Administrator, Kevin Tucker, Clerk of the Circuit Couit; and Kristy Burgan, Jury Clerk,
Circuit Coutt for Washington County, Maryland, in recognition of Juror Appreciation Month.
3. FY2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS
Kelcee Mace, Chief Operating Officer; and Kimberly Edlund, Director, Budget and Finance, presented
the request to approve the proposed FY2027 Operating and Capital Budgets as presented or provide
further instruction on the budget. The total budget is unchanged from what was presented at the budget
presentation. In the General Fund, the Board of Education Appropriation was adjusted to match the
Board of Education's approved budget. The amount held in the general operations budget line for the
wage scale decompression was allocated out to the proper departments and all other budgets remain
unchanged. The General Fund total is $355,751,800.00; the Capital Fund budget is $103,531,000.00;
Other funds budget is $76,953,560.00 and the total FY2027 budget is $536,236,360.00.
Commissioner Parrott proposed an amendment to the budget to decrease the assessed value from taxes
from .928 to .920 and to cut spending by .5% of the operating part of the budget that does not include
the Board of Education.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to adopt the proposed FY2027
Operating and Capital Budgets as presented. The motion passed ( 4-1 ). Commissioner Parrott was
opposed.
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OPEN Session, May 12, 2026
Commissioner Cline commented on the need to have tax assessments adjusted at the state level.
4. FY27 APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC} PRELIMINARY PROJECT
DESCRIPTIONS
Maria Kramer, Director, Grant Management, presented the request for a motion to accept the
Preliminary Project Descriptions as prioritized by this Board and forward the ranking to Tri-County
Council of Western Maryland for funding consideration. As patt of the annual ARC funding program,
Tri-County Council for Western Maryland, the local administrator of these federal funds, requests the
County review and prioritize projects submitted for grant funding consideration. Funding requests for
Washington County's Area Development Projects include six proposed projects totaling $895,000.00
in requested funding. The projects are HCC Regional Entrepreneur Growth Initiative, Transmission
Lines Upgrade, Seating and Furniture Refresh Project, Dementia Care Workforce Training and
Therapeutic Wellness Center, Marsh Run Tail Project and City of Hagerstown Update to
Comprehensive Plan. An additional project which was late was requested by the ARC for the
workforce development project by the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. A copy of the request has
been placed with the ARF. This is project is requested for $750,000.00. The request is to approve the
initial ranking and to approve to allow the additional project for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the FY27
Appalachian Regional Commission Preliminary Project Descriptions as amended as prioritized by this
Board and to forward the ranking to the Tri County Council of Western Mary land for funding
consideration to include the additional project as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
5. FY27 HEALTHY FAMILIES HOME VISITING GRANT -APPROVAL TO SUBMIT
APPLICATION AND ACCEPT AW ARD ED FUNDING
Richard Lesh, Grant Manager, Grant Management, presented the request for a motion to approve the
submission of the grant application to the Maryland State Department of Education in the amount of
$400,000.00 and to accept funding as awarded. The Washington County Office of Grant Management,
on behalf of the Local Management Board, is seeking approval to submit a Fiscal Year 2027 Healthy
Families Home Visiting grant application to the Maryland State Department of Education. Funding in
the amount of $6,000.00 will be included in the application for County administrative support. There
are no County funds requested for this award.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve submission of the
FY 27 Healthy Families Home Visiting Grant and accept awarded funding as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (5-0).
6. FY27 SENIOR CITIZEN ACTIVITIES CENTER OPERATING FUND GRANT -
APPROVAL ACCEPT AW ARD ED FUNDING
Richard Lesh, Grant Manager, Grant Management; and Sandy Wood, COO, Washington County
Commission on Aging, presented the request for a motion to approve the submission of the FY27 Senior
Citizens Activities Center Operating Fund Grant program from the Maryland Department of Aging in
the amount of$32,765.00 and accept the funding as awarded. The funding will be utilized to offset the
cost of salaries for the Senior Center staff. The grant performance period is from July 1, 2026, through
June 30, 2027, and matching funds are not required.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the submission of
the FY27 Senior Citizens Activities Center Operating Fund Grand and accept awarded funding as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
7. COUNTRY STORE LANE PRECAST CONCRETE BOX CULVERT
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OPEN Session, May 12, 2026
Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering, presented the request for a motion to award the bid for supplying
a precast concrete box culvert for the Country Lane Culvert Replacement Project to the lowest
responsive, responsible bidder, Gillespie Precast of Chestertown, Maryland in the amount of
$53,080.76. This is a budgeted Capital Improvement Plan project.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Parrott, moved to approve to award the bid for
supplying a precast concrete box culvert to Gillespie Precast as presented. The motion passed
unanimously (5-0).
8. LICENSE AGREEMENTS FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING (MLK} CENTER
Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, Engineering; and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public
Works, presented the request for a motion to approve the proposed license agreements for the MLK
Center. Four tenants currently occupy the MLK Center in Hagerstown, and license agreements do not
exist for any of the users.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the proposed license
agreements for the MLK Center as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
9. MARYLAND TWO FIFTY "ONCE IN A GENERATION" GRANT
Danielle Weaver, Director, Public Relations and Marketing, presented the request for a motion to
approve the acceptance of funding in the amount of$ I 5,000.00 from the Maryland Two Fifty "Once
in a Generation" Grant Program to suppott Washington County's 250th commemorative activities. The
awarded funds will be used to support various commemorative initiatives that reflect the County's
heritage and community involvement in this milestone celebration.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the acceptance of
funding from the Maryland Two Fifty "Once in a Generation" Grant as presented. The motion passed
unanimously (5-0).
10. 2026 SENATOR AMOSS FUNDING DISTRIBUTION
R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services, presented the request for a motion to accept the
recommendations of the Director of Emergency Services, authorizing the Division of Emergency
Services to make notification of the grant award from the FY 2026 Senator William H. Amoss Fire,
Rescue, and Ambulance Fund subsidy as outlined in the attached document. The total fiscal year 2026
funding received by the County is $369,083.00. The State of Maryland distributes an annual payment
to each County for support of local fire and rescue operations. The County in turn makes notification
of the funding to the eligible volunteer fire and rescue corporations. Financial accountability and
reporting are handled within the Division of Emergency Services and the Division of Budget and
Finance, with the County filing a financial repo1t with the State on an annual basis. The allocation list
is attached to the agenda rep01t form.
Commissioner Parrott, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve to accept the 2026 Senator
Amoss Funding Distribution and amended the motion to discuss future funding with the Volunteer Fire
and Rescue Association. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Page 5 of 8
OPEN Session, May 12, 2026
11. ADOPTION OF FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION FOR ZONING MAP
AMENDMENT RZ-25-010
Zachary J. Kieffer, County Attorney, presented the request for a motion to adopt Written Findings of
Fact and Decision for Zoning Map Amendment RZ-25-010. The Board of County Commissioners
voted to approve (5-0) the request for a zoning map amendment by David and Jessica Testa from
Agricultural Rural A(R) to Agricultural Rural A(R) with a Rural Business Overlay (RB).
Commissioner Parrott, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve to adopt Written
Findings of Fact and Decision for Zoning Map Amendment RZ-25.010 as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (5-0).
12. WASHINGTON COUNTY VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk presented the request for a motion to approve the appointments of Amanda
Amegashie, John Mitchell and Jim Weaver to serve a first, full three-year term, from May 1, 2026,
through April 30, 2029, as Veteran Representatives on the Veterans Advisory Committee. This is not
a paid board.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the appointments of
Amanda Amegashie, John Mitchell and Jim Weaver as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-
0).
13. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY APPOINTMENT
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk presented the request for a motion to approve the appointment of Joshua
Barnhart to serve a first, full five-year term, from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2031, on the Housing
Authority of Washington County. This is not a paid board.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the appointment
of Joshua Barnha1t as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
14. HAGERSTOWN/EASTERN PANHANDLE METROPOLITAN PLANNING
ORGANIZATION (HEPMPO)
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk presented the request for a motion to approve the reappointment of
Mayor William C. Green of Williamsport to serve a fifth, two-year term, from May 1, 2026, through
April 30, 2028, as the Washington County Municipalities Representative on the Hagerstown/Eastern
Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization. This is not a paid board.
Commissioner Parrott, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the reappointment of
Mayor William C. Green as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
15. WASHINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER ADVISORY
BOARD APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk presented the request for a motion to approve the appointments of Dale
Price to serve a first, full three-year term, from May l, 2026, through April 30, 2029, on the Washington
County Agricultural Education Center Board. This is not a paid board.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Parrott, moved to approve the appointment of Dale
Price as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Page 6 of 8
OPEN Session, May 12, 2026
Move to accept the recommendation to reappoint Darren Olden to serve a third, three-year term from
November I, 2023, through October 31, 2026, on the Washington County Agricultural Education
Center Advisory Board.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman moved to approve the reappointment of
Darren Olden as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Move to accept the recommendation to reappoint Jay Miller to serve a third, three-year term from May
I, 2024, through April 30, 2027, on the Washington County Agricultural Education Center Advisory
Board.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the reappointment of
Jay Miller as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Move to accept the recommendation to reappoint David Moore to serve a third, three-year term from
August I, 2024, through July 31, 2027, on the Washington County Agricultural Education Center
Advisory Board.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the reappointment of
David Moore as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Move to accept the recommendation to reappoint Joseph Layos to serve a third, three-year term from
November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2027, on the Washington County Agricultural Education
Center Advisory Board.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the reappointment of
Joseph Layos as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to convene in closed session at
I 0:08 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
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 and not appropriate for open session discussion.
• Discussion of assignment of staff within division of County government.
• Assignment of emergency personnel staff within County government.
• Discussion pertaining to appointment to Diversity and Inclusion Committee
• Discussion pettaining to County staff compensation.
To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto.
(3) Open session discussion would disadvantage County bargaining power.
• Discussion about acquiring easement interest.
• Discussion about purchase of real property.
• Discussion about purchase ofreal property.
Page 7 of 8
OPEN Session, May 12, 2026
To consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate,
expand or remain in the State. (4) Open session discussion would divulge proprietary commercial
information.
• Update from Business Development on effo1ts to attract business to locate in Washington
County.
To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter (7). Open session discussion would
breach attorney/client privilege.
• Update from County Attorney on County involved legal matter.
• Legal advice pe1taining to contract interpretation.
• Legal advice from outside counsel.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed; and/or reached a consensus regarding:
• For boards and commissions appointments to the Washington County Diversity and Inclusion
Committee;
• Received an update from Business Development regarding effo1ts to attract businesses to locate
in Washington County;
• Staffing assignments within a division of County Government;
• Assignment of Emergency Personnel Staff within County Government;
• Discussion regarding acquiring easement interest;
• Discussion regarding purchase of real property;
• Received legal advice regarding County policy interpretation;
• Received legal advice regarding a contract matter;
• Received legal advice and updates on pending litigation matters for which the County is a party.
• Received legal advice from outside council.
Present during closed session at various times were Commissioners John F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline,
Randal A. Leatherman, Neil C. Parrott and Randall E. Wagner: Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk and
Zachary J. Kieffer, County Attorney; Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Rosalinda Pascual,
Deputy County Attorney; Victor Scarpelli, Assistant County Attorney; Jonathan Horowitz, Director,
Business and Economic Development; Machelle Dwyer, Business Leader, Business and Economic
Development; David Mason, Interim Director, Environmental Management; Alexander Reed, Deputy
Director, Environmental Programs, Environmental Management; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public
Works; Neil Doran, Director, Hagerstown Regional Airp01t; Todd Moser, Real Prope1ty Administrator,
Engineering; Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering; R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services; David
Chisholm, Deputy Director, Emergency Services; Eric Jacobs, Assistant Director, Emergency Services;
Oley Griffith, Volunteer Coordinator, Emergency Services; Chip Rose, Director Human Resources;
and Al Frederick, Esquire.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Parrott, moved to reconvene in open session at
3:46 p.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Page 8 of 8
OPEN Session, May 12, 2026
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Parrott, moved to adjourn at 3:46 p.m. The motion
passed unanimously (5-0).
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Dawn L. Marcus, Co unty Clerk