WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
of the County are vested in the elected, five-member Board of County Commissioners of Washington County (the “Board”). The Board may only exercise such powers as are conferred upon it by the General Assembly of Maryland, including authorization to issue debt to finance its capital projects. Commissioners are elected on a countywide basis and serve four-year terms. Each member of the Board has one vote, and a simple majority of the Board is sufficient to act, subject to the authority vested in the Board by the County Code. Emergency action also requires a simple majority vote. The Board elects its own officers. The General Assembly of Maryland must authorize powers not specifically authorized by the County Code. As authorized by the County Code, the Board appoints a County Administrator. The County Administrator is selected based on his or her executive and administrative abilities, including his or her knowledge and experience in public administration. He or she is charged with the supervision of the departments and agencies of the County and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the County government in conformity with all laws applying to the County. County financial matters are administered in part through the office of the Treasurer of Washington County. The County Code establishes the elective office of County Treasurer. The County Treasurer is constituted the collector of County and State taxes, charges, and assessments, and is charged with the enforcement of collection of taxes in the manner provided by law. As authorized by the County Code, the Board appoints the Chief Financial Officer ( “ CFO ” ) based on his or her experience in financial administration. The CFO is charged with assisting the Board in the preparation and administration of County budgets and other accounting and fiscal matters as the Board deems necessary. In addition, the CFO is responsible for the fiscal methods and procedures of each office, department, board, commission, institution, and agency of County government. The CFO reports to the County Commissioners.
Services
Transportation
Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) is a Part 139-certified facility which provides two to four flights weekly to Orlando Sanford International (SFB) year-round, via Allegiant Airlines. Allegiant also offers two to four flights weekly to St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE) ten months of the year and to Myrtle Beach (MYR) for five months in the summer and fall. Additionally, the airfield offers fixed base operator services to general aviation, corporate, air cargo, and military aircraft at the Rider Jet Center. There are approximately 40 airport-based businesses employing 2,000 and providing a variety of aeronautical services for nearly all types and sizes of aircraft. In addition, Washington Dulles International (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) airports are located within 75 miles of Hagerstown. Other transportation outlets include auto rental services, County bus service, commercial bus lines, taxi, Lyft, Uber, freight common carriers, and limousine service. The main rail lines of CSX and Norfolk Southern provide shipment to anywhere on the Atlantic Seaboard.
Hospital and Medical Care
Meritus Health, Western Maryland’s largest health care provider, is located at the crossroads of Western Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. With nearly 3,000 employees, 500 medical staff members and 250 volunteers, Meritus Health services over 200,000 residents of the tristate region. Meritus Medical Center has 327 beds and is a Joint Commission accredited
2026 Budget Document
13
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs