Washington County advances working draft of 'access and opportunity' resolution; sends version for legal review

The Washington County Board of Commissioners reviewed and refined a working draft of a resolution and order on federal contracts and an “access and opportunity” framework during a July 15 work session, directing staff to produce a redlined version, circulate an updated packet and send a subsequent draft for county legal review ahead of consideration next week.

The discussion centered on staff outreach and survey results, draft language changes requested by ACRE (the county’s advisory group on racial equity and community engagement), and whether the resolution should include specific protected characteristics and an accountability mechanism. County Administrator Angie said staff would prepare a red-line and a version that shows comment authorship and asked consultants Jonelle Bell and Lucy Hammer to present the outreach findings. “I would suggest that Jonelle Bell and Lucy Hammer start the presentation,” Administrator Angie said.

Consultant Lucy Hammer summarized results from a July 7 employee listening session, an in‑progress employee survey (55 initial responses) and an early community-based organization survey (15 respondents representing three CBOs). Hammer said staff heard persistent uncertainty among employees and CBO partners about what language is permissible and how federal executive orders affect contracts and grant eligibility. “Say what needs to be said. They don't want to see the language overly sanitized,” Hammer said, describing staff feedback that the draft should be direct rather than vague.

Why it matters: county staff and community partners reported that communication gaps amid a pause on signing federal grants and contracts have increased anxiety and operational uncertainty.…