[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6108295,"mediaKeyId","2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20","parentId",2769206,"title","Votes at a glance: commissioners approve contracts, grants, easements and budget transfer","audioSeconds",138,"startMs",3763000,"endMs",3901000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20&start=3763&end=3901","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20/thumbnail_3763000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108295/Washington-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-commissioners-approve-contracts-grants-easements-and-budget-transfer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108295-1c6bfefe446800788512151989101b55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192823&Signature=YChNqBNXVJrO6A8RJm1BV2VbmoeF2FIOyzFE9C7W64cq~9iWRLXBWURRNP1g8CPqVXBJcEcTNeq6FBmJHl9dj0pBQsT9GCEXFw8x6VWhNSXaoYEB7f6VO78dXKHTN~E5I5sufJxZtnM1D133ARlRqt3DIf4R-xOaYYCLdqemlMSko24IB5S8Ctcz6Ffaelk2gLMz2otrs6R~gYhY-izA2B7Mo25J46pNqRqma39WJs41WH16UnHks-JG-epZ7RS2Fvg6QcEQuBkvdkcYfauw~hmjHNbSwpRxkvo3xlDKKviQSQzKwlQ4z6RM6xeqKDMC~exc63Bd~GEZTQXwqd0UEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-19T02:28:48Z","article","At their meeting the Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved multiple procurement contracts, sole‑source purchases, grant submissions, easements and a budget transfer. Most items were routine and carried on unanimous voice votes (4‑0).

Procurements and sole‑source awards approved included a one‑year renewal for laboratory services (PUR 15‑96) with ALS Group of Middletown, Pennsylvania (CPI increase of 3%); two intergovernmental cooperative purchases for police vehicle equipment using State of Maryland contract vehicles — SoundOff (INTG 25‑0179) for lighting and controls at $95,511.36 and Troy Products (INTG 25‑0180) for interior consoles and safety barriers at $57,696 — and a sole‑source purchase of Revolve Air fill stations for firefighter self‑contained breathing apparatus from Municipal Emergency Services for $52,332.

The board also approved a proposal from Mid Atlantic Storage Systems for inspection and repair of the AquaStore glass‑coated bottom water storage tank in Sharpsburg for $57,149 to preserve the tank warranty; a request to terminate and close a conditional financial incentive agreement with Fabricated Extrusion Company LLC and to waive recovery of $5,000 under the agreement; and a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) easement for the Scofield property totaling $63,932.22 over 32.63 easement acres.

Two grant actions were approved for submission and acceptance if awarded: the fiscal year 2026 School‑Based Health Center grant application to the Maryland Department of Health in the amount of $278,235 (with $12,524 included for county administrative support), and the FY26 Office of Problem Solving Courts discretionary grant application requesting $314,038.62 to support the county drug treatment court.

The board approved a supplemental easement to Potomac Edison to allow underground fiber‑optic conduit on county land at Marty Snoke Park and authorized a budget adjustment transferring $120,765 from the capital reserve to assess and plan replacement of the county’s computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.

Each motion was approved as submitted by voice vote with the board recorded as approving (4‑0) on the items listed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioner Meeting - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington County Board approved a set of routine procurement contracts, grants, easements and a fund transfer including lab services, police vehicle equipment, firefighter air‑fill stations, tank inspection, grant submissions, an easement, and a budget transfer for CAD assessment.","taxTitle","Washington County, Maryland","taxId",4677,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6108300,"Solid waste director outlines FY26 budget pressures; public hearings planned on rate changes",280,3029000,3309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20&start=3029&end=3309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20/thumbnail_3029000.jpg","/articles/6108300/Washington-County/Maryland/Solid-waste-director-outlines-FY26-budget-pressures-public-hearings-planned-on-rate-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108300-8e0d73d32036f6151c02c07b0de1b438/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192823&Signature=NXtlfQYx6wOxn2tDBXrcep8-s9pE1H44Q~zEEI5F4aHHVCnJ9lUVBBwnhbPyV-GdB9UTKd0y7c~OOHw4rBaNHHAmsDVIfV72IRNJvQeeD9FRtJBxckSTc3OLYtYThL5XeLXgpnJYaHv1gFsjhUkusyMnPT1B1QM6oeCfbkfQ8WKFZ5Z~wigDoAKwsDPt6XNyJ8iNLn5jE-NRXy~gsG6UnnGuWug-1l0IJQgjkWcBR0hDw1TEITLbgWUKoQj98fqjXcbonIeaPZ9iR23U1u7oghUx9HBq-ZWqubmgtQQ1JI7DePGhypH~nYmjdMgmZRts6wNlPWeSk-II8275GTx8tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County solid waste staff presented an overview of FY26 budget pressures for the department and said rate changes and permit structure revisions will be considered at forthcoming public hearings.

Dave, director of Solid Waste, told commissioners that the department has not increased fees since 2018 and that several cost lines have risen substantially — in some cases 50% to over 300% — driven by higher hauling, treatment, monitoring, and recycling costs. He said the department needs to incorporate water‑monitoring costs previously approved and is proposing permit and rate changes to make operations sustainable.

Staff discussed possible changes including revising permit structures (for example, moving to an all‑inclusive permit rather than separate residential/yard‑waste/recycling permits) and adding contract fees. The director said the county has already incorporated preliminary PFOS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) monitoring costs into planning but is awaiting final federal and state regulations that could require further action.

Commissioners asked about landfill life expectancy and were told that at current tonnage the county landfill has roughly 50 years of remaining capacity. Staff confirmed the department will hold public hearings on proposed solid waste rate increases and permit adjustments as part of the FY26 budget process.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to schedule public hearings and present draft ordinance/rate language.","Washington County's solid waste director presented proposed FY26 changes and potential permit/revenue adjustments driven by rising costs and new monitoring requirements; commissioners were briefed and staff will take the proposal to public hearing.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6108305,"Commissioners adopt cross‑connection ordinance for commercial water accounts; inspections to cost $65 per account",235,3441000,3676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20&start=3441&end=3676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20/thumbnail_3441000.jpg","/articles/6108305/Washington-County/Maryland/Commissioners-adopt-crossconnection-ordinance-for-commercial-water-accounts-inspections-to-cost-65-per-account","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108305-eb6343424e8201d169bf4332334307ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192823&Signature=bimLysK-ux3PED6ePQIfkxgZE781QQDUC8MQ6KFS-peWsDQJF8yo2smRsaaB6gQLsrLjW1uP~1rgeoHeYV5d8Q06c6MGKocyBDXzpwHWE~Gw0ygdPDaIvPvcn4ic0mbgEhcI2tsXtpJI2gmbxJ8FCoJyItr9sUanbTI-3kO8KR0dM0Y9Ge6TVaT-fOBJx9rwOq-OktX9cwjkAeL0lQ6xEBZO-jmF5lBzEBU-VtPYJ5KtpkLvggRuwhNY5z-Ebbl-j9r7NrGT5zxXtn7oMiuej-FgpyfWXTODBMAgP6HflrnKsKYmqaYOryqEpCUhjJpm8ktLbA49aBRJLR0GGwSvkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted 4‑0 to adopt a cross‑connection control ordinance that applies to commercial water accounts and requires inspections and maintenance to prevent contaminated water from entering the public supply.

County staff member Regina Yodzie introduced the ordinance as an MDE‑mandated requirement intended to \"regulate the cross connections with public water systems,\" explaining cross connections are arrangements that could allow contaminants to reenter public water if not separated or protected.

Under the adopted approach, the county will limit the program to commercial accounts and use a contracted inspector to identify and verify protective devices such as air gaps and backflow prevention assemblies. Yodzie told commissioners the county has engaged Hydro Corp to provide inspection services and training and said, \"It's $65 to each commercial account per year to maintain,\" adding the fee is proposed to be included in the county water billing structure so the program can be self‑sustaining.

Commissioners and staff discussed that devices and separations required by the policy should already exist if properties were built to code; the ordinance creates an inspection and maintenance process to ensure devices are functioning and documented. Staff also noted the policy would address other scenarios, such as irrigation wells, to prevent cross‑connections with the public supply.

During the hearing a resident speaker criticized backflow prevention measures and air gaps but provided no technical evidence that would change the staff recommendation. After discussion commissioners moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by voice vote (4‑0).

Staff will implement the inspection schedule, notify affected commercial customers of requirements and fees, and monitor compliance through the contracted inspection program.","The board approved a county cross‑connection control ordinance, limited to commercial accounts, that requires inspections and maintenance to protect the public water system; the county plans to contract Hydro Corp to perform inspections at a proposed $65 per commercial account per year.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6108309,"Washington County raises monthly 9-1-1 fee to $1.75 after public hearing",271,2608000,2879000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20&start=2608&end=2879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769206-468d9b23c6fa155b9cffd4bf1111ff20/thumbnail_2608000.jpg","/articles/6108309/Washington-County/Maryland/Washington-County-raises-monthly-9-1-1-fee-to-175-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108309-7c2c4fd4648e260d0bead2179483a88e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192823&Signature=Nz4V1G42rzzo896qJ-pYX-FQEe5cWA4Phfkzo2CoEc3obHzWR2QA9jinx10Oa~qYZCoxcywtGMd0CU01hFKflkXVae4rKAPsMbhDFfYQxUOLHGbx19D6UunMXJc7eIa24JWmI~FGG3QcwmTJHuDQFANftoqfaEERjah-PJlC847bFDzUR4MNZTSwENwM8fQ8DQw5hfrUfFk4D21dMYozVpnLgy-geEhmi-mpFUQRT91wfmha6XbpDSlasSl8-tycEi01njzdrBwu6E2r21r3CCB4QIJjn3nPdL9i63WAOxTd91XqyHWyiaFOwPnmpN-Ikg3rMS8rgvyXEU-vsOoXKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to raise the county 9‑1‑1 surcharge from $1.25 to $1.75 per month per bill following a public hearing and staff presentation.

Kelsey Mace, the county’s chief financial officer, told commissioners the change is allowed under Maryland law and is intended to help close a persistent funding gap. \"Per Maryland Code, Public Safety Article subsection 1‑311(c)(1), a county may impose a 9‑1‑1 fee of up to 75¢ to be added to all current bills rendered for switched local exchange, access service, or CMRS, or other 911 accessible service in the county,\" Mace said, explaining the legal basis and the proposed increase.

Mace said the county’s 9‑1‑1 program has run a multi‑million dollar shortfall in recent years: in fiscal 2024 revenues were about $1.6 million against $5.6 million in costs (a $4.0 million shortfall), and fiscal 2025 figures show budgeted revenues of $2.3 million against $7.1 million in costs. She said the proposed increase would raise roughly $900,000 in additional revenue for fiscal 2026, bringing projected 9‑1‑1 revenues to about $3.2 million against proposed costs of $7.1 million.

During public comment a resident criticized the board, saying, \"You already get enough of my taxes,\" but no other members of the public provided substantive testimony on the fee change. Commissioners noted they must notify the state carriers by an April 15 deadline so the fee can be implemented.

Commissioner Klein moved to adopt the fee as submitted; the motion was seconded and carried 4‑0 with the board recorded as voting in favor.

The increase takes effect for the fiscal year 2026 budget and will appear on customer bills consistent with state implementation timelines.","After a public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to raise the county 9‑1‑1 surcharge from $1.25 to $1.75 per bill to help close a multi‑million dollar shortfall in emergency‑communications funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: commissioners approve contracts, grants, easements and budget transfer

Solid waste director outlines FY26 budget pressures; public hearings planned on rate changes

Commissioners adopt cross‑connection ordinance for commercial water accounts; inspections to cost $65 per account

Washington County raises monthly 9-1-1 fee to $1.75 after public hearing