Washington County raises 9‑1‑1 fee to $2; public raises concerns about federal DHS facility

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted March 17 to increase the county 9‑1‑1 monthly fee from $1.75 to $2.00 per bill, a change staff said will generate roughly $500,000 in additional revenue for the system.

The change followed a staff presentation by Kelsey Mace, the county’s chief financial officer, who cited state statutory authority and budget figures showing a multi‑million dollar shortfall in 9‑1‑1 operations. "This proposed fee change will generate approximately $500,000 in additional revenue," Kelsey Mace said during the hearing.

The hearing drew multiple public commenters who overwhelmingly supported the fee increase while tying the county’s fiscal pressure to a separate federal property purchase. Taj Smith, president of the Washington County NAACP, told commissioners that the federal Department of Homeland Security purchased the Wright Road property for "$102,000,000" and is spending "$113,000,000 to convert it," calling the acquisition "tax‑exempt" and arguing it worsens local revenue challenges. "This federal property is tax exempt contributing nothing to the 3,700,000 dollar 9‑1‑1 deficit," Taj Smith said.

Dave Williams of Smithsburg urged the board to back the increase because "911 is an essential service serving the county," and warned that communities near detention or processing facilities can see higher 9‑1‑1 call volumes. Several other speakers said funds from the fee could be used to support emergency services and other local priorities.

County staff had earlier briefed the board on the federal purchase, stating that "Washington County Government was not involved in the site selection process" and that the property is federally owned. Staff said DHS officials told county representatives the facility would operate as an intake/processing center and that DHS has hired a contractor (KVG LLC) to study water and sewer needs; staff also said DHS indicated the federal government would pay for necessary infrastructure capacity increases.

After public comment closed, the board moved, seconded and approved the fee modification as submitted; the voice vote was recorded as 4–0 in favor. Commissioners said the April state deadline for filing the change required the board to act promptly.

What happens next: The fee will be submitted to the state under the statutory process described by staff; staff provided contact information for residents to submit comments. The board did not adopt substantive changes to county authority over the federal property during the meeting and said any county actions would require legal review.