The Washington County Board of Commissioners set two public hearings for Nov. 17 at its most recent board meeting on Oct. 20.
The first hearing will be to consider the county’s 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). During the public hearing, the county board will hear public comments and consider any recommended changes to the draft CIP. The board will consider adopting the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan at its Dec. 15 meeting.
The second hearing scheduled for Nov. 17 will consider an update to the eligibility list associated with the county’s current Transportation Sales, Use and Excise Tax, including shifting more funding to transportation from transit projects. The board will consider adopting the updated list at its Dec. 15 meeting.
Also Oct. 20, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received $1,031,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to upgrade body-worn and squad car camera technology.
The funding comes from the FY 2026 Byrne Discretionary Community Projects Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and a $1,866,285.78 purchase order with Axon Enterprise Inc. for a five year contract to upgrade its body-worn and squad car camera systems.
The investment updates and standardizes the existing body-worn and fleet camera system, which currently operates through a cell phone. The new system is a standalone body camera with increased durability, streamlined storage and data collection, and upgraded picture quality. The advanced imaging and audio standards help capture accurate video evidence. The body-worn camera will integrate with the enhanced fleet cameras, providing comprehensive video capture by both the deputy and the vehicle.
The upgrades will help build trust with community members through enhanced transparency and confidence in law enforcement accountability.
Closing out the update from Oct. 20, the Washington County Board accepted $12,643.42 in donations and gifts for the third quarter of 2026 at its Oct. 20 meeting.
The following departments received cash donations:
• $558.47 to the Library Department.
• $937.95 to the Public Works Parks Division in support of Parks programs, the Parks and Trails Fund, Historic Courthouse Restoration Fund, and Living Forest Fund.
• $2,800.00 to the Sheriff’s Office in support of the annual employee appreciation event.
In-kind donations totaled $1,175.00 for the Community Services Department, $1,150.00 for the Human Resources Department, and $5,590.00 for the Sheriff’s Office.