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Councilwoman Anderson asks Hagerstown to request formal answers from county on planned ICE facility purchase in Williamsport

Mayor and City Council of Hagerstown · February 4, 2026

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Summary

Councilwoman Anderson moved that the mayor and council request a formal response from the Washington County Board of Commissioners and DHS about a Department of Homeland Security purchase in Williamsport (16220 Wright Road) and potential ICE detention use, asking about county support, possible tax revenue loss, infrastructure capacity for about 1,500 beds, and permitting for on-site utilities; staff will place the topic on a work session and draft a letter for council review.

Councilwoman Anderson asked the mayor and council on Feb. 3 to request that the Washington County Board of Commissioners publicly respond to questions about the Department of Homeland Security's purchase of property at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport and a possible ICE detention facility.

In her motion, Anderson asked the county to address whether commissioners individually or collectively support establishment of the facility; whether the county would consider adopting a formal resolution opposing it; anticipated loss of county tax revenue if the property becomes federally owned; whether county approvals or oversight would apply to water, sewer, and infrastructure capacity for a facility she said might hold approximately 1,500 beds; and whether on-site wells or utilities would be subject to county and health-department approvals.

Staff advised that the city's statutory involvement would be limited to water allocation unless DHS approaches the city for additional approvals. Staff recommended placing the item on a work session the following week and drafting a letter containing the questions so councilmembers could refine them; staff offered to circulate a draft letter and suggested the council seek signatures from three or more members for transmittal to the county.

Next steps: staff will draft a letter for council review that can be transmitted to the Washington County Board of Commissioners and Department of Homeland Security; the council will discuss the draft at an upcoming work session.