HAGERSTOWN – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners will meet Tuesday for its regular open session, with the top agenda item a request from the Washington County Commission on Aging for an additional $300,000 – a more than 21% increase – to stabilize services for a rapidly growing senior population and address mounting waitlists.
Commission CEO Amy Olack, President Ed Lough, Vice President Tim Delbrugge and Treasurer Al Martin will present their 2027 budget proposal seeking $1.72 million in direct county appropriations. This includes an additional $300,000 from the county, up 21.11% from the prior year, while the county continues to provide an existing in-kind benefit valued at $433,600 for office space, meeting sites and other facilities the agency uses at no extra cost.
According to documents attached to the agenda, the increase won’t expand programs but help prevent cuts, shorten backlogs and address new compliance requirements. As of Jan. 9, the agency faces a waiting list of more than 500 older adults, including 148 specifically for meals. Eligibility determinations often take more than three months, and some programs require waits of over a year.
Demand has surged for Maryland Access Point services and 24-hour guardianship, where the caseload now stands at 28 wards, exceeding the state-recommended limit of 20 and reflecting a 100% increase in court-appointed case management over the past year, the report said.
The Older Americans Act Final Rule, effective last October, has lengthened appointment times and further strained capacity. Funding has also been lost or reduced from sources such as one-time federal grants, Gaming Commission support that has shifted away from commission programs like PER4M, and uncertainties in anticipated state contributions.
Even with the requested increase, the agency projects an operating loss of $332,500, underscoring the need for county support to avoid reductions in meals, staffing, and other core services.
The county’s population aged 55 and older is its fastest-growing demographic, and demand for these services is expected to continue rising over the next decade as post-COVID utilization levels remain elevated, according to supporting documents.
Other notable items, ranked by scale and community impact, include:
- Adoption of a county artificial intelligence (AI) policy by County Attorney Zachary J. Kieffer, outlining ethical guidelines, approved tool requirements, prohibitions on deepfakes or sensitive data use in public AI, disclosure mandates, fact-checking and chief technical officer oversight to ensure secure, accountable AI deployment across county operations.
- Budget-neutral adjustment for the Clear Spring EMS transition, shifting funds to cover wages (a $273,620 increase), benefits, pensions, and integration costs as former Clear Spring Ambulance Club EMS staff become county employees per a December 2025 memo, offset by insurance revenue.
- Modification and extension of an $800,000 2025 Community Development Block Grant for San Mar Family and Community Services’ Youth Transitional Housing Project, with reallocations to soft costs and a waiver for delays.
- Renewal of a sole-source Darktrace cyber intrusion detection and monitoring contract for $227,500 to strengthen network and email security.
- Acceptance of a $460,000 grant from the state Administrative Office of the Courts for family support services to fund positions and programs aiding low-income families.
- Sole-source procurement of a LifePak 35 monitor/defibrillator for $61,300 (partially offset by a $24,500 Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems grant) to equip an EMS supervisor vehicle.
- Approval to accept a $26,900 state rural health grant expanding the blood program to more emergency medical services vehicles.
The meeting is open to the public at 100 W. Washington St., Suite 1101, Hagerstown. It will be live-streamed on the county’s YouTube channel and local cable access. Individuals needing special accommodations should contact the Office of the County Commissioners at 240-313-2200 at least 10 working days in advance. Public comment may be submitted in advance to [email protected]. See the full agenda packet here.
