Board Descriptions

Adult Public Guardianship Review Board: Reviews the guardianship cases which are held by any public agency. Advises the court and makes recommendations to the court to contintue, modify, or terminate the guardianship.

Ag Land Preservation Advisory Board: Advises the Board of County Commissioners with respect to the establishment and review of agricultural districts and approval of purchases of easments.

Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors: The mission of the Board of Directors is to establish, maintain, and operate the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. Their vision is to (1) promote agricultural pursuits in Washington County, and (2) to promote educational and recreational programs and activities which involve youth, the agricultural industry and the general public in all aspects of agriculture.
Ag Marketing Committee: The Agricultural Marketing Office is responsible for developing, marketing, and managing economic development strategies and implementing marketing programs to attract, retain, preserve and grow agricultural enterprises and related industries in Washington County. We offer numerous programs, grants and services that assist local farms and farmers, entrepreneurs, educators, the local consumer and anyone interested in agriculture. Leslie Hendrickson invites you to contact the office and see how Agriculture is changing and growing and can work for you!
Airport Advisory Commission

Animal Control Authority: Enforces the provisions of the Washington County Animal Control Ordinance; maintains records regarding the licensing, inpoundment, and disposition of animals coming into the custody of the animal control authority; enters into contracts or agreements to provide for the disposal of animals; and provides for the designation of animal control shelters in Washington County. The authority also specifies rules and regulations that may include licensing of dogs, kennels, and pet shops; control of rabid animals; the disposition of uncontrolled, vicious, and sick animals; and provide penalties for violation of the animal control ordinance.

Antietam Battlefield Advisory Board: Meets regularly with the National Park Service representatives to provide community input into the decision making process for operations, policies, and projects at the Antietam Battlefield and to improve communications between the Park and the local community.

Area Agency on Aging: Coordinates the programs for the benefit of senior citizens in Washington County; develops plans and implements programs to address the specific needs of the elderly of Washington County, maintains a community center and/or centers for providing various services to and activities for the older citizens of Washington County.

Building Code Appeals Board: To hear and decide cases regarding the Codes Official's interpretation of the Building Code.

Disabilities Advisory Committee: Advises the Board of County Commissioners relating to disabilities issues in Washington County; maintains contact with the community of persons with disabilities in Washington County and assess community needs; co-sponsors annual Disabilities Awareness Week activities; and publishes the Washington County Independent newsletter through the Office of Disabilities Issues.

Economic Development Commission: Serves as an advisor for the promotion of all of Washington County as a place of business, and as a facilitator to improve the business climate in Washington County. Responsible for evaluating, recommending, and/or implementing polices affecting the community's abilities to attract, nurture and sustain employment, and to promote economic opportunity for our citizens.

Electricians Board Exam & Commission: Examines the qualifications and capabilities of all individuals who are engaged or desire to engage in the business of a master electrician.

Emergency Services Council: The ESAC shall provide recommendations on various emergency services issues as requested by the Board of County Commissioners. When requested, the ESAC may also serve in an advisory capacity to the municipalities of Washington County, the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, and any volunteer or career fire or emergency medical services company authorized to operate in Washington County.

Ethics Commission: Responsibilites: to devise, receive and maintain all forms generated by the Ethics Ordinance; to provide published advisory opinions to persons subject to the Ordinance as to the applicability of the provisions of this Ordinance to them; to process and make determinations as to complaints filled by any person alleging violations of this Ordinance; to conduct a public information program regarding the purpose and applications of this Ordinance.

Fire & Rescue Communications Advisory Board: Serves as an advisor to the Chief, Fire and Rescue Communications, and to the County Commissioners on matters relating to the operations and equipment of the Fire and Rescue Communications Center and shall assist in coordinating operations with the various fire and rescue companies of the County.

Gaming Commission: Reviews funding request applications from charitable organizations. The review process includes public presentations to the Commission. Determination is then made regarding recipients of the gaming funds.

Public Golf Corporation: Responsible for all administrative and management services reasonably required in the operation of the golf course. These management services shall include, but not be limited to facility maintenance and management, marketing, public relations, and administrative services. The Corporation will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the golf course, subject to the oversight of the County.

Advisory Commission to the Board of Health: Acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and to the Health Department and to be actively invovled in identifying health needs and problems in the County.

Historical Advisory Committee: To list and review historic sites in the County by location, type, and significance for recommendation to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission would then use the recommendation as a guide for future planning.

Historic District Commission: Analyzes and makes recommendations concerning the preservation of sites, structures, or districts of historic, archeological, archetectural, or cultural significance within the area served by the commission.

Housing Authority: Housing Authority Commissioners make policy decisions on current and future programs needed to meet the housing needs of lower income citizens of the County, living outside the corporate limits of the City of Hagerstown. Commissioners are also responsible for keeping governmental agencies, elected officials and the general public informed on the Authority's activities. The Commissioners receive and review regular reports and information from staff that reflect proper and legal administration of Authority programs and initiatives.

Local Management Board: To comply with, implement and perform the expectations between the LMB and departments of the State of Maryland that deal with programs for children, youth and families. The LMB has the power to enter into contracts incidentat to the performance of its duties provided that these contracts have been approved by the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County.

Mental Health Advisory Commission: To serve as advocate for a comprehensive mental health system for persons of all ages. The Committee is charged with the duty to monitor, review and evaluate the allocation and adequecy of publicly funded mental health services within Washington County, Maryland through means such as conducting or participating in site visits. The Committee shall determine the needs of the county metal health system, including quality of service, gaps in the system and interagency coordination.

Mental Health Authority
: Consists of four groups, the Board of Directors, the Finance Committee, the Personnel Committee, and the Service/Program Committee.

Penmar Development Corporation: The PMDC was established as a public instrumentality of the State of Maryland for the express purpose of minimizing the economic impact of closing Fort Ritchie. As the only legal recipient of the property, PMDC is the master developer and landlord. PMDC will generate revenue to support operations and maintenance of the infrastructure prior to taking ownership of each pacel.

Planning Commission: Responsibilites include: development of the Comprehensive Plan, recommendations on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Forest Conservation Ordinance, and Adequete Public Facilities Ordinance. Approval of development plans, subdivisions and site plans in accordance with appropriate regulations. Providing guidance to the development community with regard to proposed developments. Making recommendations on the consistency of the Capitol Improvement Program with the Comprehensive Plan.

Plumbing Board: To hear and decide cases regarding the Code Official's interpretation of the International Plumbing Code.

Recreation and Parks Board: Preservation and use of property which is appurtenant and adjunctive to it, as park and recreational areas; to cooperate with the other agencies in providing technical assistance in preparing applications for grants pertaining to parks and recreation; to develop countywide park and recreation plans and develop pard site plans; to plan new parks and recreational facilities; to coordinate a countywide comprehensive recreation and open space plan; to coordinate use of Board of Education facilities by the public in accordance with joint-use agreements; to provide for development and operation of recreational opportunities for all residents of Washington County; to operate an office for handling all park, open space, and recreation matters.

Rehabiliation Loan Review Board: The loan committe responsibilites include reviewing application packages and staff recommentdations, making decisions to approve of reject loans based on program regulation and public interest. The loan committee may direct that mortgages contain provision allowing periodic review of applicants affordability, and adjustment of interest rates within program guidelines. The loan committe may waive or adjust program requirements based upon the stated purpose of the rehab program or to better reflect the county's interest in line with market rate lending practices.

Social Services Board: To advise the local director as the local application of State policies or procedures; to communicate to the residents of the county broad and conprehensive information as to the objectives, policies, programs and problems of local social services and public assistance administration; to review and make suitable recommendations in connection with the annual estimate of funds needed for social services and public assistance purposes in the county; to consult with the local director with respect to any new service that might be instituded by said director or by the local board or local commission to meet an unmet need in the county.

Solid Waste Advisory Committee: Serves in an advisory capacity only for solid waste and recycling issues.

Transportation Advisory Committee: To provide recommendations on various transportation issues as requested by the Board of County Commissioners. When requested, the TAC may also serve in an advisory capacity to the municipalities of Washington County, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Board of Education, and to any bono fide federal, state, local, or civic agency or organization.

Water and Sewer Advisory Commission: To serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County relating to rates, policies and establishment or extension of any water or sewer systems existing or to by constructed in Washington County. To improve communications between the Washington County citizens and the County Commissioners regarding water and sewer service to citizens of Washington County. To communicate to the Board of County Commissioners any concerns the Commission may have regarding water and sewer service to citizens of Washington County.

Commission for Women: To be a source of information and referral for women; identify and research solutions to the problems of women and girls; promote the full and equal participation for women in work, government, society; direct attention to critical problems confronting women; recommend methods of overcoming discrimination against women in employment; encourage women to become candidates for public office; secure appropriate recognition of women's accomplishments and contributions to Washington County.

Board of Zoning Appeals: To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determinations made by an administrative official in regard to the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance, the Washington County Forest Conservation Ordinance, or of any ordinance adopted thereto. To hear and decide special exceptions to the Ordinance upon which the Board is required to pass. To authorize a variance from height, lot area, yard regulations, parking space requirements, sign regulations, distance requirements specified in Section 4.9, buffer requirements and other distance or dimensional requirements as ought to be made.

Duties and Responsibilities