Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nonprofit Funding 1108 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nonprofit eligibility hearing turns heated as commissioners take applications under advisement
Summary
A public hearing on adding organizations to Washington County's Section 1‑108 nonprofit eligibility list drew multiple applicants and sharp public comment, including an outburst that led the presiding officer to eject a speaker; commissioners deferred decisions to allow staff to compile further information about applicants and the funding review.
The Board held a public hearing Tuesday to consider applications from organizations seeking placement on the county’s Section 1‑108 list of nonprofits eligible to apply for county contributions. The applicants represented a mix of service, faith‑based and volunteer organizations.
County Attorney Zachary Keefer summarized the legal framework: Section 1‑108 of the Washington County Code authorizes the commissioners to contribute annually to qualified nonprofit organizations, and an annual public hearing is required to consider additions to the list. Keefer read the list of applicants in the agenda packet, which included Shield for All Seasons; Senior Services Network, Inc.; Mount Etna Volunteer Fire Department; Mediation First, Inc.; Maryland Legal Aid; Good News Hagerstown; Congregation B'nai Abraham; Boonsboro Town Alliance; and others.
Several applicants spoke about services they provide. Michael Armell, president of Congregation B'nai Abraham, described volunteer activities and longstanding fundraising for the Potters Bowl community clinic; Ron Humble, president of the Boonsboro Town Alliance, explained town events and partnerships; Denise Cintron described Sybus Mission's food distribution, hygiene and youth programs; Sean Bauer described Good News Hagerstown’s downtown beautification and youth assistance programs.
Public comment became contentious when a resident identified as Curtis Ray used his allotted time to criticize county meeting procedures and to make broader allegations about nonprofit funding and political corruption. The presiding officer repeatedly ruled the remarks non‑germane to the 1‑108 hearing topic, asked the speaker to stop, and ultimately had the individual removed after the speaker refused to yield. The board then moved to the next scheduled speaker. The removal and earlier interruptions were noted in the public record.
Commissioners asked staff questions about the 1‑108 application process and emphasized that placement on the list establishes eligibility to apply for funding but does not guarantee awards. Commissioner Randy Leatherman and others requested more information about applicants’ budgets, outcomes, and potential overlap with existing funded organizations before voting to add groups to the list.
The board voted to take the matter under advisement and asked staff to provide a complete inventory of organizations currently on the list and the Community Organization Funding (COF) committee’s review criteria to help inform decisions ahead of the funding cycle.
