Residents urge Washington County to keep and staff Office of Sustainability

Several longtime Washington County residents asked the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 4 to keep and staff the county’s Office of Sustainability to help manage growth and climate-related risks.

The requests came during the meeting’s public-comment periods, where residents described the office’s role and urged the board to maintain or expand staffing. Ingrid Arnett, a Washington County resident of almost 50 years, quoted the county’s strategic plan update while urging action: “Office of sustainability is to provide a framework for the county to serve the public, to improve resource conservation, promote equity, and reduce harm to the environment in support of future generations,” Arnett said. She added that the office “should remain open with an additional person to support the work.”

Donna Mibory, who said she has lived in Washington County for 30 years, made a similar request. “My ask is that you ensure the continuation of the office of sustainability with the expectation that federal government support for the environment will be diminished and that risks of wildfires, droughts, flooding, and excessive heat will continue to increase,” Mibory said. She cited population growth as an added pressure on county resources and urged continued collaboration the office has developed.

Speakers framed their comments as appeals for resilience planning and resource stewardship rather than for a specific budget line item; no board action on the office was recorded during the public portion of the meeting. The board did not discuss or vote on the office during the portion of the meeting captured in the transcript.