The Board of County Commissioners for Washington County, Maryland, convened on May 20, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including a significant grant application for the Williamsport Library project and a public hearing on a proposed zoning map amendment.

The meeting began with a request from library officials Kathleen O'Connell and Jennifer Keiser for a letter of support from the county for their Maryland State Library Capital Grant application. This grant, which is due on Friday, aims to fund the design phase of a new library in Williamsport, with the county expected to contribute approximately 29% of the total costs. The officials noted the competitive nature of the grant, which has a total of $7.5 million available for 24 counties.

Following their presentation, a motion was made to support the grant application. Discussion ensued regarding the county's financial commitment, with County Administrator Michelle Gordon clarifying that the county has funds allocated in its capital reserves for this project. However, she also pointed out discrepancies in the initial figures presented. The corrected county contribution was stated to be $4,489,050, with the total local contribution, including the library's funds, amounting to $5,328,060. The motion was amended to reflect these corrections and was subsequently approved unanimously.

After addressing the library project, the meeting transitioned to a public hearing concerning a proposed zoning map amendment, designated RZ 25-001. The hearing was structured to allow public testimony, with each speaker granted a maximum of three minutes to present their views. The commissioners outlined the procedure for the hearing, which included an oath for those wishing to testify.

The meeting was briefly paused to allow for a recess before the public hearing commenced. This structured approach ensured that all agenda items were addressed methodically, allowing for community input on the zoning amendment while also facilitating the county's support for local library development. The commissioners are expected to continue discussions and provide direction following the public testimony.