HAGERSTOWN – With sign-carrying protesters outside and agitators inside, the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday nonetheless got through their Feb. 24 meeting unscathed,
They reiterated the county’s limited role and general support for federal immigration enforcement efforts related to a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility on Wright Road, over vocal interruptions inside the chamber from civic gadfly Shawn Porter.
After a brief contretemps, Commission President John F. Barr had Porter removed from the room for having two signs (both insulting Barr personally). After a brief bit of his usual First-Amendment theatrics, Porter was escorted out.
Addressing community concerns during staff comments, County Administrator Michelle Gordon reiterated that the county was not consulted during the federal government’s site selection or subsequent purchase of the warehouse.
“We understand that the community is concerned that Washington County was not involved in the site selection process regarding the new facility that will be opened in Williamsport,” Gordon said. “We were not consulted by the federal government or the private entity involved in the sales transaction.
“This is now a property owned by the federal government, and as such, Washington County government has no jurisdiction, and we are not the governing body that will be overseeing this project.”
Gordon said any suggestions for county action against the facility, including comparisons to actions in other jurisdictions, would require legal review of potential liabilities for the county and individuals, as well as interpretations of authority across local, state and federal levels.
“Many of the suggestions being made by non-county residents as well as county residents include comparisons to a facility in Howard County,” she said. “Two recent actions taken by the government in Howard County are not a fair comparison. The example from Howard County involved a building owned by a private company, which is not the case here in Washington County, where the building is now owned by the federal government.”
She referenced a resolution adopted Feb. 10, expressing general support for the Department of Homeland Security, ICE and local law enforcement in public safety roles, and encouraging intergovernmental cooperation.
“Beyond the statement released on Jan. 28, and the resolution approved on Feb. 10, Washington County government has no additional information,” Gordon said.
The comments drew interruptions from at least one attendee, prompting another recess and Barr’s removal of a second meeting attendee.
Hotel tax funds support Ag Expo and a major manufacturer
Finally, the commissioners approved a long-term commitment of hotel rental tax funding for the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair, honoring the legacy of longtime agricultural supporter Adna “Ad” Fulton. The package provides up to $5,000 annually for the first 10 years (through 2035), followed by up to $10,000 annually for an additional 10 years (through 2045), for a maximum total of about $150,000 over 20 years.
The funding recognizes Fulton’s profound lifetime contributions to the county Ag Center and the broader agricultural community. Staff members highlighted his charitable efforts, which promoted community well-being, supported facility construction at the Ag Center, and created educational and exhibition opportunities for residents, particularly youth.
Commissioners also approved a $2 million hotel rental tax incentive over five years for Jamison Door Company to establish an expanded manufacturing presence in the Mount Etna Technology Park, between Meritus Medical Center and Hagerstown Community College. The company has been in business since 1906.
The performance-based agreement, presented by Business and Economic Development Director Jonathan Horowitz and company CEO Dwight Clark, along with former state legislator Andrew Serafini, supports a $65 million investment, including land purchase, construction of a 375,000-square-foot facility, and equipment to centralize operations.
The project will retain 105 manufacturing jobs and aims to create 100 to 200 additional high-quality, long-term positions by 2030. Funds are contingent on milestones like property acquisition and construction; any disbursed amounts would be clawed back if the project fails to proceed.
Both approvals use hotel rental tax revenues generated from short-term overnight stays by tourists to reinvest in community economic development, agriculture and job creation.
School budget challenges
In other business, Superintendent Dr. David Sovine presented the draft 2027 General Fund budget for Washington County Public Schools, noting approximately $14 million in additional combined state and local revenue.
However, he reported that expenses continue to outpace funding due to escalating student needs, particularly in special education (85 more students this year compared to last, and a growing number of complex cases), rising multilingual learner enrollment and substantial employee benefit costs, exceeding $6 million for health insurance and pensions alone.
Sovine highlighted reductions, including over $600,000 in additional administrative cuts, which built on a $400,000 cut last year, and noted external pressures, such as potential state-level changes to compensatory education funding or pension cost shifts to locals.
The presentation was for discussion only, with no funding decisions or votes taken. The school board had already adopted the draft as its working document on Feb. 17. A public hearing on the draft is scheduled for March 17, followed by the board’s final adoption on April 21.
Commissioners will determine their local funding level, potentially more than last year, as part of the overall 2027 county budget process. A balanced proposed county general fund budget is set for presentation on March 17, with ongoing refinements, departmental reviews and possible public input in the months ahead.
State legislative actions, including final General Assembly budget decisions by mid-March, could still alter revenues and require adjustments. The timeline reflects shared fiscal pressures between local government and education, with key decisions deferred to the structured budget cycle.
The county’s required contribution remains above maintenance of effort under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, with wealth equalization formulas increasing the local share. No additional funding beyond the legal minimum was requested this cycle, acknowledging broader county budget constraints.
