Washington County commissioners say they will not rescind equity resolution; pause federal contracts while seeking path forward

Washington County commissioners announced June 24 that they will not rescind the county's equity resolution and that they have paused signing federal grants and contracts while staff and a retained consultant develop a replacement path intended to honor inclusion and comply with law.

The board, meeting as the County Board of Commissioners, moved a scheduled presentation forward and read a joint statement after members raised community concern about an agenda item pulled from the June 17 agenda that would have considered rescinding the equity resolution. Vice Chair Therese and Commissioner Fey took part in delivering the statement at the start of the public comment period.

The board said the agenda item had been pulled at the work session and that no vote to rescind had taken place. The statement said in part, "We want to be clear: we will not be rescinding, revising, or amending this resolution." It added that the county…