HAGERSTOWN – Washington County Commissioners voted at their Tuesday, Feb. 3, meeting to oppose a state bill expanding municipal rezoning powers, requested significant state funding for infrastructure, heard budget updates from Hagerstown Community College and the county library, and approved contracts, grants and personnel moves.
Officials reiterate limited role in controversial plans for ICE facility
With about 100 protestors outside the meeting, County Administrator Michelle Gordon read the county’s official statement on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s plan for a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport.
The statement, first released on Jan. 28, noted that the county received a Jan. 14 letter from DHS regarding the analysis of the property purchase for holding and processing spaces, offices and amenities.
As reported by LocalNews1, land records confirm the federal government completed the $102.4 million purchase in January. Gordon emphasized that the county was not consulted, did not request the site, has no jurisdiction under the supremacy clause and cannot restrict federal land use or require zoning approval. Residents with comments can email [email protected] or mail the board office.
Administrator details legislative requests for Annapolis
In her report to the commissioners, Gordon outlined the county’s priorities for the ongoing legislative session in Annapolis. These include:
- $10 million to $15 million for planning and design of I-81 widening phases three and four, to enable immediate construction after phase two is completed.
- $2.5 million for phase three of the public safety training center.
- State partnership on engineering, environmental review and federal grant applications to expand the Washington County Transit facility in downtown Hagerstown.
- $11 million total to complete a new, elevated air traffic control tower at Hagerstown Regional Airport.
- Reforms to the Chapter 30 transportation prioritization process to ensure fairer scoring across different modes and regions.
Gordon also received consensus for letters supporting the following bills:
- Sales and use tax exemptions for redevelopment at Mount Etna Technology Park.
- Authority for the county to acquire personal property through installment contracts.
- A requirement that manufactured or modular homes have at least 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.
- Removal of recovery residences from behavioral health administration licensing exemptions.
- An update to the Salary Study Commission membership.
- Greater flexibility on septic system requirements in rural and agricultural zoning districts.
- Permission to advertise sole-source procurements online as well as in newspapers.
- Conversion of the treasurer position from elected to appointed.
- Creation of a misdemeanor for unreasonably preventing public works employees from repairing infrastructure.
- Equitable distribution of highway user revenue for counties under Senate Bill 288.
Commissioners oppose House bill on zoning
County Attorney Zachary J. Kiefer secured consensus to draft and send a letter opposing House Bill 99, legislation active during the current legislative session in Annapolis, which would allow municipalities to rezone recently annexed property based on county zoning or comprehensive plan recommendations.
Current law limits rezoning without county approval to cases of substantial similarity to county zoning. Kiefer noted the commissioners unanimously opposed a similar bill last year. Commissioners orally affirmed Kiefer’s recommendation to oppose the bill, which would expand municipal rezoning powers and reduce the county’s ability to enforce its own land-use standards on newly annexed properties.
HCC presents enrollment trends, achievements and funding needs
Hagerstown Community College President Dr. James Klauber and trustees presented goals and data. Klauber highlighted the pursuit of national dual-credit accreditation; Maryland’s lead in Quality Matters-certified online courses; strong Americans with Disabilities Act grant performance; the start of the Scholar Drive relocation; Advanced Technology Center renovations; and plans for advanced manufacturing apprenticeships and health care expansion.
Credit enrollment dipped slightly due to disciplined dual credit pathways with Washington County Public Schools, but non-credit workforce programs grew. Graduation rates improved, particularly for males, and career graduates earn $37,000 more annually three years post-graduation.
Klauber requested a 3 percent operational funding increase, $25,000 non-recurring for a paramedic training mannequin (contingent on a federal grant match), and future capital support for a $50 million to $60 million administration/student affairs and health care building project.
Library showcases strong usage and community impact
In a presentation to the commissioners, the Washington County Free Library showcased strong usage and community impact. Executive Director Jenny Bakos presented impressive statistics highlighting the system’s role as a vital community resource in 2025.
Library staff answered 41,346 reference questions throughout the year, an average of 113 per day, to help patrons with research, technology, local history and other needs. Visits rose 10 percent to 382,767, with 60 percent of county residents holding library cards, above the state average. More than 35,000 people attended events; smart locker checkouts nearly doubled to 10,152; and digital circulation exceeded 200,000 for e-books, audiobooks, movies and other online resources.
Bakos spotlighted programming that fostered lifelong learning and social connections, including local history classes, musical story times with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, inclusive story times for adults with diverse abilities, passport services (ending due to federal changes after processing nearly 4,000 since 2016), meeting spaces for groups and partnerships such as distributing 5,250 no-cost Chromebooks and hosting community baby showers with the health department in rural areas.
The library delivered $6.75 in community service value for every county dollar spent. For 2027, Bakos requested no funding increase, focusing instead on fiscal responsibility while planning a new Williamsport branch, expanded Spanish-language resources, a “library of things” collection and community conversation events to reduce isolation and build civic trust.
Other approvals:
- A $9.5 million 2027 Rural Legacy Program grant application to preserve land toward a 10,000-acre milestone.
- Facility design services contract to L.S. Grim Consulting Engineers ($81,460) with Noelker and Hull Architects on standby.
- Oracle Fusion consultant contract to Cherry Road Technologies ($158,100) for HR recruitment/onboarding.
- $213,546 three-year sole source maintenance for NICE emergency communications recording equipment.
- Repurposing a vacant 911 dispatcher position into a second ECC training coordinator for upcoming hires.
- $10,000 signing bonuses for fully trained dispatchers ($5,000 upfront, $5,000 after three years of retention).
- Appointments/reappointments to advisory boards.
- Property dedication and CSX agreements ($85,084 total) for Eastern Boulevard widening.
- Temporary easement for a transit facility alley.
Finally, the commissioners received an update on a potential $731,000 change order for filter replacement at the Smithsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant and approved $54,606 in engineering services for centrifuges at the Conococheague plant.
The next regular meeting is expected Feb. 10.
