Washington County commissioners voted 5‑0 to contribute $10,000 from commissioner contingencies to the Washington County Community Coalition to support its 2026 Annapolis advocacy and reception work.

The coalition’s annual recap, delivered by Paul Fry, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and a follow-up presentation by Jim (Community Coalition representative), said the county’s Annapolis lobbying returned about $70 million to local projects in the last session and outlined priorities for the next year.

The request mattered because the coalition described both recent wins and outstanding needs for the county. “We brought back about $70,000,000,” Jim said, citing as the largest item restored funds for Interstate 81 phase 2. He listed other capital returns including $6 million for Hagerstown Community College renovations, district projects such as a visitor center and study money for a downtown public safety building, and roughly $30 million in additional local capital projects.

The coalition asked commissioners to authorize its standard $10,000 contribution from commissioner contingencies to cover its operations and the annual Annapolis reception. The board moved, seconded and approved the funding 5‑0.

Why it matters: coalition organizers and county staff said ongoing state advocacy is central to advancing multi‑year transportation and capital projects that require state design and construction funding. Coalition presenters urged continuing a focus on Interstate 81, noting phases 3 and 4 are not yet funded. Jim said early estimates for design funding on phases 3 and 4 are about $10 million and that each of those later phases could cost roughly $100 million.

Commissioners asked for clarification about timing and competition for scarce state capital. One commissioner noted the city’s request for a public‑safety relocation is at an early study stage and likely not a direct competition for the county’s priorities this year. Presenters said the coalition will continue to press MDOT and state decision‑makers to preserve rural project funding under new scoring formulas.

The coalition also asked commissioners to sign on to its January Annapolis reception; staff told the board the city planned a vote on a related contribution the following week.

Provenance: The presentation began when the coalition was introduced at the board’s “Tab 4” agenda item (transcript excerpt: “Washington week county community coalition recap of 2025 and request for support for 2026.”) and the funding motion and vote occurred later in the same agenda segment where the motion was made and passed 5‑0.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article were identified on the record: Paul Fry, president, Washington County Chamber of Commerce (coalition managing partner); Jim (identified in the record as a coalition speaker); and multiple county commissioners including President Barr and Commissioners Ranney Wagner, Letterman, Harvey and Klein.

Clarifying details: the coalition reported approximately $70,000,000 in state capital or project funding returned to the county in the last session; $6,000,000 for HCC renovations; design funding for future I‑81 phases estimated in early staff analysis at approximately $10,000,000; phases 3 and 4 of I‑81 were described as each possibly costing around $100,000,000; the coalition’s funding request was $10,000 and the funding source was commissioner contingencies.

Ending: The board approved the $10,000 contribution and commissioners and coalition leaders said they will meet the county delegation in early November to brief lawmakers on the 2026 agenda and continue outreach on transportation, higher‑education capital and other local priorities.