HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Washington County commissioners will consider a one-year lease extension Tuesday that would increase annual rent paid for two commercial hangars at Hagerstown Regional Airport by more than $81,000 while the county and tenant continue negotiating a longer-term agreement.
Royal Aircraft Services LLC currently leases Hangars 21 and 22 under agreements dating to 2016 that are scheduled to expire Sept. 30. The company currently pays a combined $131,426 annually for the two hangars.
Under the proposed extension, Royal Aircraft would pay a uniform rate of $7 per square foot across 30,400 square feet of hangar space, increasing total annual rent to $212,800.
The extension would run through Sept. 30, 2027, giving the two sides additional time to negotiate a longer-term agreement after they were unable to finalize new rental terms. If no agreement is reached by April 1, Royal Aircraft would be required to notify the county whether it intends to renew under the temporary terms or leave the airport when the extension expires.
Concussion policy to be considered
Commissioners will also consider adopting a concussion management policy for county Parks and Recreation programs following a risk-control review by the county’s insurer.
Travelers Insurance identified what county officials describe as an exposed liability risk and recommended adopting a formal policy to maintain the county’s existing general liability coverage limits.
Under the proposed policy, anyone suspected by staff, coaches, volunteers or officials of suffering a concussion during a county recreation activity would be immediately removed and prohibited from returning that day. Participants diagnosed with a concussion would need written clearance from a licensed health care provider before returning.
The policy also establishes reporting requirements and calls for concussion-awareness education for coaches, staff, volunteers and participants.
Commissioners to consider abuse procedures
A second policy prompted by the Travelers review would establish countywide procedures intended to prevent and respond to abuse involving minors and vulnerable adults.
The proposal calls for employee screening, procedures for reporting and investigating allegations, disciplinary action and employee training. It would also direct county employees to limit unsupervised one-on-one interactions with minors when reasonably possible and avoid isolated private meetings and personal digital communications with them.
Reports of suspected abuse could be made to the County Attorney’s Office, Human Resources or a manager or supervisor. The county would also report suspected child abuse or abuse of vulnerable adults to law enforcement or protective services as required by state law.
Sheriff seeks master deputy position
The Sheriff’s Office will ask commissioners to reclassify an existing master deputy position as a sergeant to correct an oversight from the fiscal 2027 budget process.
The change would restore a supervisory position that was lost when commissioners previously converted a sergeant position to lieutenant. No additional Sheriff’s Office position would be created, and the change would increase annual salary costs by about $6,600, excluding benefits.
Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Washington County Administration Building, 100 W. Washington St. in Hagerstown. The board is scheduled to enter closed session at 9:50 a.m. for personnel matters involving volunteer advisory boards and two open county positions, as well as legal advice involving a county matter.
For the full agenda, readers may click here.
