[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6354488,"mediaKeyId","2219969-d79de18f6116768b5f08dd26a3c1bf7a","parentId",2219969,"title","County approves 9-1-1 and court grants, rejects Sharpsburg pump bids and plans re-advertisement","audioSeconds",245,"startMs",3960000,"endMs",4205000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219969-d79de18f6116768b5f08dd26a3c1bf7a&start=3960&end=4205","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219969-d79de18f6116768b5f08dd26a3c1bf7a/thumbnail_3960000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6354488/Washington-County/Maryland/County-approves-9-1-1-and-court-grants-rejects-Sharpsburg-pump-bids-and-plans-re-advertisement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354488-1c6adec6b60e933fc60aa40513e0b2bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050190&Signature=MrgWjNF8BdfGL7Ps6dmSs~zlI~Ftz957EpyXsC50qc2kTZQqexxkAZuofUnDg96oEmzDf2f~YADfw1F3NTc8UUdXSejKuBMflLWeTYP8CC6wM-QQwWImI5QokOd41AT~yRONPP8HcxMaCTXtgsZicsEjOCAOL4gjcd5tcYPhqqUlK8Vgip-o8nj6p4-O5GNWepoaX3K2JA659sNOhVi22o2j-~DYIPvtTX7Kd5IBf8AoFQJQdwBCWyWmOjpZY3YISAGkjoXWoGjT2-DqS5rDwFytyFXHVI2~wvWY2SAnwaE-wCtryeWjIAOfoVlYDgMF5VYdngOVeo7H7i6~0zittg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County, MD ","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved two grant actions and formally rejected a procurement bid during the meeting.

Maryland 9-1-1 board grant

Richard Lesh, grant manager in the county’s Office of Grant Management, and Alan Matheny, director of emergency management communications, requested approval to submit an application to the Maryland 9-1-1 Board and accept up to $74,741 if awarded to cover annual maintenance of the county's NICE 9-1-1 recording system. Lesh and Matheny said the NICE platform is essential for recording emergency calls for quality assurance, training and legal purposes and that maintenance funding is crucial to avoid operational disruptions. The commissioners approved the motion to apply for and accept the funding as awarded; the vote was recorded unanimously.

Circuit Court family support services grant

Kristin Gersnickle, circuit court administrator, asked the board to approve an application and accept $442,809 from the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts for Circuit Court family support services. Gersnickle cited Maryland Rule 16-307 (family support services division requirements) and said the grant will fund staff and a range of services including family-law clinic support, permanency planning liaison roles, custody evaluations and other family-support services. Commissioners approved the submission and acceptance of the funding 5-0.

Rejection of bids for Sharpsburg Water Treatment Plant backwash pump

Brandy Kettner, purchasing director, and Mark Bridal, director of environmental management, recommended rejecting bids submitted for PUR 1719, Sharpsburg Water Treatment Plant backwash pump replacement, because the two responsive bids did not meet solicitation specifications: one supplier offered a nonconforming pump and the other omitted required seals. The board voted to reject the bids and authorized staff to revise the solicitation and re-advertise.

Votes at a glance

- Maryland 9-1-1 Board grant (NICE system maintenance): motion to submit application and accept funding as awarded — approved by voice vote, 5-0.
- Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts grant (family support services): motion to apply and accept $442,809 — approved by voice vote, 5-0.
- PUR 1719 Sharpsburg pump replacement: motion to reject bids and re-advertise — approved by voice vote, 5-0.

Ending

After these items the board moved into closed session for attorney updates and pending litigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioner Meeting - February 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of County Commissioners approved a Maryland 9-1-1 Board grant for NICE system maintenance ($74,741) and a Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts family support grant ($442,809). The board also rejected bids for Sharpsburg wastewater treatment plant backwash pump replacement and authorized a re-advertisement.","taxTitle","Washington County, Maryland","taxId",4677,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6354494,"Board of Health approves $119,813 contract for county crisis response program",160,1742000,1902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219969-d79de18f6116768b5f08dd26a3c1bf7a&start=1742&end=1902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219969-d79de18f6116768b5f08dd26a3c1bf7a/thumbnail_1742000.jpg","/articles/6354494/Washington-County/Maryland/Board-of-Health-approves-119813-contract-for-county-crisis-response-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354494-12c9e2e914d74ff6861f3f4a366548f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050190&Signature=fBhXFc4ngbWeZ4EUzM2wExG0PWJ7l9i04LJXE94FzRO7e8GRaqYfV4UcTwS1MVRNBMMsGFbxLjECCy2~MU1ehqGQB-HSt9pJhOo2w59EBWHUcIilEnMQFjTxDWf2eAe02UkVW0Emx2a3NKLtTDHRWRn9o3qGz2GLX8L8oqen~SqS2lV9wtyRGeaUKnoRI2gm6u9Hb28dmWFCC0RdynYEWKvQa1PgHgcAHt38IGoGVROeEUdOgNdGu4Gc0w5gr2x-qMqhmup2PCbTW7BY2FkqyiBNEasfwh9piUsFlM~X8Ww1oOZt7Q4wX~VbRDDftrmb-6kG3FoqdRg0p5xvBMa0NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of Health voted to award a $119,813 contract to the Weigh Station of Washington County to continue a crisis response program funded with federal money administered through the state.

Earl Stoner, health officer for the Washington County Health Department, told the board the contract supports individuals who respond to behavioral-health crises outside standard business hours. \"They are primarily the individuals who are responding, really 24/7 and especially during those off hours, trying to deescalate situations, working with the EMS, working with law enforcement, to try to deescalate and divert people from going to the emergency room,\" Stoner said.

Stoner said the program is a continuation of past work and that the department collects operational data on engagements and outcomes. When asked whether the program was lowering overall crisis numbers, Stoner said the program was \"stemming the tide\" and that without it hospitals would be more inundated with crisis calls; he also said the department can provide engagement and outcome data to commissioners.

Vote and implementation

A motion to approve the contract passed unanimously (5-0). Commissioners approved the award as submitted; Stoner said the program is continuing and that the department has assessments and engagement metrics that it will share on request.

Ending

The board immediately reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners after the vote; the contract award was passed without amendments at the meeting.","The Washington County Board of Health approved a $119,813 contract to continue a crisis response program operated by the 'Weigh Station of Washington County' funded by federal dollars routed through the state; health staff described the program as a 24/7 crisis response resource that helps divert people from emergency rooms.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6354498,"Commission on Aging asks Washington County commissioners for $250,000 boost amid staffing, mandate and guardianship strains",1881,1899000,3780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219969-d79de18f6116768b5f08dd26a3c1bf7a&start=1899&end=3780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219969-d79de18f6116768b5f08dd26a3c1bf7a/thumbnail_1899000.jpg","/articles/6354498/Washington-County/Maryland/Commission-on-Aging-asks-Washington-County-commissioners-for-250000-boost-amid-staffing-mandate-and-guardianship-strains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354498-3a4413a98a3b65c1a1798c5308b7f51d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050190&Signature=haxsUZIPCrMAzofPeX7-FxqvmsHfol4apR8JSPompz9vO3MpC8lCLiWYkYqtWDW3K4l0PMWRlwcIGNxlVAdx~Cl~uZ5cwaQFf7oSL4XjNJw25CnSRiSgcvMXuu4Y5D-a2YsFbSR2iR89DQatEvPyyDpZWVI5fPszSmBxDU91XVFzPfIgDj-f1fdhPp5-l1PxR1VzuTfqO5Y2T-yJs7Dux1iYRO-Ls12XN1gWrvAb3LqgM0wYpzvhZDZTXyFSOwwRmIP~InTs-Ng8YHdqEHiTgfnshy86Zo-s5eLndQbNlyJpzqoxvp0OuWIZKnmMtr0zFjglrucvtYXZgqqPWiJngw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Commission on Aging asked the Washington County Board of County Commissioners for a $250,000 increase in its FY26 county allocation, saying federal and state funding delays, staffing shortages and new mandates are straining services for older adults and people with disabilities.

Amy Olak, CEO of the Washington County Commission on Aging, told the commissioners the agency served about 10,500 individuals across its programs in 2024 and provided 52,533 meals. \"Our reimbursable funding model through the state and federal government creates cash flow challenges due to delays in the reimbursement process,\" Olak said, adding that the agency was awaiting more than $300,000 in payments after a state and federal reimbursement freeze. Ed Loeb, president of the commission's board, gave program totals during the presentation, noting the agency distributed $1,632,314 in benefits to older adults, caregivers and people with disabilities in 2024 and that more than $500,000 of that was related to Medicare Part D assistance.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that local demand is rising while some grant funding is expiring and new state and federal requirements carry costs that the agency says are not fully funded. The Commission on Aging asked for $250,000 for FY26 and said that, even if approved, it will still need additional funding and grant support in coming years to address structural gaps.

Details and debate

Olak listed four main areas of concern: unstable and delayed reimbursements from state and federal sources; staffing shortages and turnover driven by low starting pay; new state mandates such as dementia care navigation; and rising regulatory and legal costs tied to guardianship work and compliance with revised federal rules under the Older Americans Act. \"The expiration of the American Rescue Plan funds and the expected budget cuts further threaten service sustainability,\" Olak said.

Commission on Aging leaders gave detailed service figures: 90000 (sic) phone contacts handled through landlines and cell phones combined, 24/7 guardianship services to 29 court-appointed wards (the agency said it is funded to handle 20), ombudsman advocacy in 10 nursing homes and 19 assisted-living facilities with 82 complaints investigated, and the Maryland Access Point helping more than 4,500 clients with intake and eligibility. The agency said 230 volunteers supported programming and that fundraising and grants produced about $170,000 in 2024.

Leaders described the guardianship caseload as a particular pressure point: Olak said the program now carries 29 active wards with two more pending, far above the case range her office historically managed. Several wards require care outside Washington County because specialized services are not locally available, increasing travel and legal expenses. \"This program includes court proceedings at which times require staff to testify, court documents, completion of medical forms, and the navigation of difficult multifaceted health issues of our wards,\" Olak said.

On mandates and funding, the agency told the commissioners that a state dementia care navigation mandate carries roughly $28,000 in state funding while the full program cost would be closer to $80,000. The agency also warned that the final rule for the Older Americans Act, which it said will take effect in October of 2025, will require additional policy, legal and administrative work.

Staffing and compensation

Olak said the agency's starting rate is $16 per hour and that multiple required state and federal certifications make staff especially attractive to other employers after substantial training. Commissioners and agency leaders discussed high turnover, recruitment difficulties and the training pipeline; Olak said the agency had approved a market pay adjustment but still remained below the regional fiftieth percentile on pay.

Commissioner discussion and next steps

Commissioners asked for clarification and more data on service counts and grant reporting. Olak and Ed Loeb offered to supply itemized, year-by-year client counts and the financial backup used for federal reporting. Commissioners agreed by consensus to a $1,000 sponsorship table from the commissioner's contingency fund for the Commission on Aging’s upcoming gala as a show of support; the board did not vote formally on the agency’s FY26 request at the meeting. Commissioner Wayne Kiefer, who is leaving the board, was thanked for his past advocacy on behalf of the commission.

Ending

Olak and Loeb emphasized that the requested $250,000 would not fully resolve the agency's funding gaps but said it would reduce near-term risk to services while the agency pursues grants and fundraising. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with more detailed budget breakdowns and unduplicated client counts so they could consider the request as part of the county's FY26 budget process.","The Washington County Commission on Aging outlined service volumes and rising costs and asked the Board of County Commissioners to add $250,000 to its FY26 allocation; officials warned that federal and state mandates, staffing shortages and expanding guardianship caseloads threaten services without added funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County approves 9-1-1 and court grants, rejects Sharpsburg pump bids and plans re-advertisement

Board of Health approves $119,813 contract for county crisis response program

Commission on Aging asks Washington County commissioners for $250,000 boost amid staffing, mandate and guardianship strains