HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners will hold its next regular open session on April 14, focusing heavily on budget preparations for the coming fiscal year and several public safety and youth service initiatives.
The marquee item is the presentation of Draft 3 of the proposed 2027 general fund budget by Chief Financial Officer Kelcee Mace and Budget and Finance Director Kim Edlund.
Their presentation will outline the county’s overall spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1, directly affecting tax rates, core services and county operations. Local residents will watch closely for impacts on property taxes, public services and long-term fiscal health amid ongoing economic pressures.
Next is the 2027 transit budget presentation by Transit Director Shawn Harbaugh and Public Works Director Andrew Eshleman.
This details funding for public transportation services that many residents, especially seniors and those without personal vehicles, rely on daily for work, medical appointments and community access.
Third is a cluster of funding approvals for programs serving youth and public safety needs. These include an application for the Washington County Development Center Day Reporting Center, approval for Maryland Sex Offender Registry funding and sole-source awards for disconnected youth services, school-based health centers and a school-based mental health program.
These items address support for at-risk young people, offender tracking and mental health resources in schools, which tie into broader concerns about community safety and child well-being.
Other notable agenda items include a budget transfer for solid waste vehicle and equipment replacement, a contract renewal for trash removal services at county facilities, bid awards and cooperative purchases for grinder pumps in the water quality department plus police vehicle equipment and personal protective equipment for the sheriff’s office and Hagerstown police.
The board will also receive a report on 2025 highlights from the Humane Society of Washington County and issue proclamations recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the county’s YouTube channel and local cable access.
Written public comments may be submitted in advance to [email protected]. Readers may find the full agenda here.
