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Board of Health approves three Girls Inc. youth-health contracts totaling $274,974; one commissioner abstains
Summary
The Washington County Board of Health approved three contracts with Girls Inc. for adolescent health and education programs funded through the Maryland Department of Health. President Barr abstained from the True U Maryland contract vote because of a disclosed family connection.
The Washington County Board of Health on the record approved three contracts with Girls Inc. of Washington County to fund adolescent health and education programs that the county said are 100% financed through the Maryland Department of Health.
The board voted 4-1 to approve a $152,180 contract for the True U Maryland adolescent health program for the period beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026; President Barr abstained, disclosing that his wife sits on the Girls Inc. board. The board also voted 4-1 to approve a $51,264 contract for a personal-responsibility education program and a $71,530 contract for a risk-avoidance education program, both funded through the same state stream.
“They were the only bidder,” Earl Stoner of the Washington County Health Department said during the Board of Health presentation, explaining the procurement circumstances that led to a sole-bid outcome for the first contract. Stoner and Girls Inc. representatives told the board the programs have been delivered locally before and are supported by Maryland Department of Health grant funding.
Maureen Grove and Stacy Bishop of Girls Inc. appeared with Stoner to describe the grant awards and contract terms. Commissioners discussed the abstention and the process; the county attorney and other staff confirmed that, because the contract originated from a bid process and the commissioner disclosed his relationship, the board could proceed with four votes.
The contracts were presented as part of the county’s regular public-health contract approvals; meeting minutes show the board first convened as the Board of Health for these actions and then reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners after voting.
Votes at the Board of Health session were recorded on the record as 4–1 (one abstention by President Barr) for the three Girls Inc. contracts. The contracts were described as being fully funded through the Maryland Department of Health (federal pass-through funding), and the presenters said the work is existing programming for adolescents delivered locally.
The board did not adopt additional directions or conditions tied to the awards beyond the standard procurement and conflict-of-interest disclosures.
Washington County Health Department staff and Girls Inc. will proceed to execute the contracts and manage performance under the stated funding and timeframes.
