Washington County Executive Josh Showman launched a new weekly briefing, "WASHCO Weekly," and used the debut episode to outline the county's strategic priorities and how the county will focus its work in 2026.

Showman said the priorities start with the county's stated vision, mission and values and a compact set of annual goals. "Washington County exists to create an environment for authentic quality of life," he said, adding that the countyprovides the environment while residents and businesses create the quality of life.

He framed the priorities as a restraint on overreach: "When everything's a priority, then nothing's a priority," Showman said. He said the county will concentrate on a handful of areas rather than trying to be "all things to all people."

Showman listed the county's primary priorities as: maintaining a well-governed and administered county with high-fidelity service delivery; public safety coordinated among the sheriff's office, fire and EMS and social-service response; effective mobility and reliable infrastructure (roads); access to basic needs through social service programs, the aging and disability resource center, the health department and a next-generation housing initiative; and economic growth and vitality to support businesses and residents.

He also noted the county's organizational values and an annual employee appreciation program that began "about a decade ago, two years after I started here in Washington County," where awards recognize staff who embody those values.

Showman said the county produces a strategic priorities document on a recurring cycle and will post a link for the public to review. "We'll put a link to it, in the comments below," he said, and directed listeners to washcowisco.gov for more information. He closed by inviting viewers to the next WASHCO Weekly.

The debut episode is a county-produced communication to explain policy priorities and administrative goals; no formal votes, motions or new ordinances were announced during this briefing.