Latest statement about the 3/16 Zoom meeting
County Administrator Michelle Gordon read a statement about the county's 3/16 Zoom meeting with DHS at the March 24 BOCC meeting.
March 24 BOCC meeting
Transcript of remarks by County Administrator Michelle Gordon.
NOTE: This transcript is a report of what was said and not a verification of accuracy or truthfulness of the statements.
Key points highlighted in RED.
Gordon: Lastly, I want to recap information related to the federal government's purchase of a warehouse on Wright Road in Williamsport, Maryland. Washington County government was not involved in the site selection process and was not consulted by the federal government or the private entity involved in the sales transaction of this existing structure. This is now a property owned by the federal government.
As such, Washington County government has no jurisdiction. We are not the governing body that will be overseeing this project. Those with comments or concerns should reach out to their congressional representatives, which would include Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, and Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Any action taken by Washington County would require a legal opinion and interpretation of the potential liability of all parties involved, both for the county and personally, for individuals taking potentially adverse actions against another organization. Additionally, a legal opinion and interpretation would be needed regarding the hierarchy and interactions between local, state, and federal government authority and jurisdiction. All of which we're not able to comment on at this time.
A resolution was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on February the 10th, 2026. The resolution expresses general support for the Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and local law enforcement agencies in their roles related to public safety, and encourages cooperation across all levels of government. Washington County announces that on March the 16th, the Board of County Commissioners held their first meeting with the Department of Homeland Security.
Prior to that meeting, we had no contact with them and no prior knowledge of anything going on with this particular project. Additional details that were announced include that this meeting marked a significant step towards enhancing knowledge sharing. And opened the lines of communication regarding the immigration and customs enforcement facility in Washington County, Maryland.
This first meeting brought together key subject matter experts, the county, and DHS leadership. During the meeting, Washington County officials addressed a variety of topics, including aspects regarding the community concerns, and concerns regarding the impact on local resources.
I also wanted to confirm that President Barr made statements to the media on the evening of March the 16th, related to discussions regarding the county's request for a P.I.L.O.T. or a payment in lieu of taxes. Federal government agreed to make the county's tax revenue whole. No further information is available while contract negotiations take place between our county attorney and Department of Homeland Security.
DHS officials indicated on March 16th that the new facility will be a processing facility, and the new facility is not a detention center.
The new facility was described as a booking facility where detainees would be brought for intake processing and could open up approximately 1,125 jobs.
Detainees would stay at that facility for an average of three to seven days, after which they would be transferred to a detention center out of state for long term needs. DHS anticipates that about 500 beds would be in use on any given day. However, the facility would be sized for 1,500 beds, so utilization could be higher at times, although it is unlikely to occur.
President Barr addressed humane treatment of detainees. DHS officials expressed their desire to dispel negative comments with regard to humane treatment of detainees in their facilities.
DHS facilities have the highest detention standards in the country for housing, medical, and other needs. The facility will have a full complement of onsite medical staffing and will provide ancillary services. The facilities will be audited on a regular basis, both monthly and annually, for various standards by an independent third party who reviews the services that are being provided.
Performance based national detention standards being monitored include nutritional and hygienic standards for food storage and meal preparation, medical care and screenings, recreation and religious freedom, confidential access to legal counseling as well as their families, safety and sanitation of living conditions and grievance mechanisms.
Water and wastewater, DHS, the county also addressed infrastructure needs related to the facility, much like we do with state officials regarding water and wastewater as well as transportation needs. DHS indicated that they have contracted with KVG LLC to renovate the facility in Washington County, Maryland.
KVG is now responsible for all engineering and construction work related to the project, including assessment of water and wastewater capacity and infrastructure needs.
Once the engineering evaluation is completed, KVG will be in contact with the city of Hagerstown for water service needs and Washington County government for wastewater service needs. If the engineering evaluation determines additional capacity is needed for facility operations, DHS officials indicated that the federal government will pay any fees required for additional water or wastewater capacity, and DHS officials indicated that the federal government will pay any required infrastructure improvements needed for the right road sewage pump station.
If additional water and wastewater capacity is needed, KVG is also responsible for providing a temporary solution for meeting the facility's water and wastewater needs until infrastructure improvements are made.
As far as impact on local resources, the facility will have a full complement of medical staff, including doctors and nurses to provide around the clock 24-7 care for detainees. DHS officials indicated that the facility will handle medical needs in-house or through a private contractor so as not to overburden local resources.
Additionally, security for the facility will be provided by the Federal Protective Services. Officials from DHS welcomed the open dialogue between our agencies and expressed a desire to maintain ongoing communication and collaboration.
Future meetings have not been scheduled at this time, and the county commissioners of Washington County are committed to ensuring that residents have all available information as it becomes available.
We also understand that a meeting was held yesterday that was scheduled by Congresswoman April McClain Delaney. By invitation only, the Board of County Commissioners was not invited to that roundtable discussion of community leaders. That's everything that I have for today.
Commissioner Cline: A point of clarification. On the March 16th meeting, it was stated that the Board of County Commissioners, it wasn't the full board. It was only, were you able to name the people who attended that meeting?
Gordon: I sure can. So the attendees of that meeting were Commission President John Barr, myself as the county administrator, Zach Kiefer, our county attorney, Sheriff Brian Albert, and Colonel Pete Lazich. Thank you.
Transcript of remarks by County Administrator Michelle Gordon.
NOTE: This transcript is a report of what was said and not a verification of accuracy or truthfulness of the statements.
Key points highlighted in RED.
Gordon: Lastly, I want to recap information related to the federal government's purchase of a warehouse on Wright Road in Williamsport, Maryland. Washington County government was not involved in the site selection process and was not consulted by the federal government or the private entity involved in the sales transaction of this existing structure. This is now a property owned by the federal government.
As such, Washington County government has no jurisdiction. We are not the governing body that will be overseeing this project. Those with comments or concerns should reach out to their congressional representatives, which would include Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, and Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Any action taken by Washington County would require a legal opinion and interpretation of the potential liability of all parties involved, both for the county and personally, for individuals taking potentially adverse actions against another organization. Additionally, a legal opinion and interpretation would be needed regarding the hierarchy and interactions between local, state, and federal government authority and jurisdiction. All of which we're not able to comment on at this time.
A resolution was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on February the 10th, 2026. The resolution expresses general support for the Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and local law enforcement agencies in their roles related to public safety, and encourages cooperation across all levels of government. Washington County announces that on March the 16th, the Board of County Commissioners held their first meeting with the Department of Homeland Security.
Prior to that meeting, we had no contact with them and no prior knowledge of anything going on with this particular project. Additional details that were announced include that this meeting marked a significant step towards enhancing knowledge sharing. And opened the lines of communication regarding the immigration and customs enforcement facility in Washington County, Maryland.
This first meeting brought together key subject matter experts, the county, and DHS leadership. During the meeting, Washington County officials addressed a variety of topics, including aspects regarding the community concerns, and concerns regarding the impact on local resources.
I also wanted to confirm that President Barr made statements to the media on the evening of March the 16th, related to discussions regarding the county's request for a P.I.L.O.T. or a payment in lieu of taxes. Federal government agreed to make the county's tax revenue whole. No further information is available while contract negotiations take place between our county attorney and Department of Homeland Security.
DHS officials indicated on March 16th that the new facility will be a processing facility, and the new facility is not a detention center.
The new facility was described as a booking facility where detainees would be brought for intake processing and could open up approximately 1,125 jobs.
Detainees would stay at that facility for an average of three to seven days, after which they would be transferred to a detention center out of state for long term needs. DHS anticipates that about 500 beds would be in use on any given day. However, the facility would be sized for 1,500 beds, so utilization could be higher at times, although it is unlikely to occur.
President Barr addressed humane treatment of detainees. DHS officials expressed their desire to dispel negative comments with regard to humane treatment of detainees in their facilities.
DHS facilities have the highest detention standards in the country for housing, medical, and other needs. The facility will have a full complement of onsite medical staffing and will provide ancillary services. The facilities will be audited on a regular basis, both monthly and annually, for various standards by an independent third party who reviews the services that are being provided.
Performance based national detention standards being monitored include nutritional and hygienic standards for food storage and meal preparation, medical care and screenings, recreation and religious freedom, confidential access to legal counseling as well as their families, safety and sanitation of living conditions and grievance mechanisms.
Water and wastewater, DHS, the county also addressed infrastructure needs related to the facility, much like we do with state officials regarding water and wastewater as well as transportation needs. DHS indicated that they have contracted with KVG LLC to renovate the facility in Washington County, Maryland.
KVG is now responsible for all engineering and construction work related to the project, including assessment of water and wastewater capacity and infrastructure needs.
Once the engineering evaluation is completed, KVG will be in contact with the city of Hagerstown for water service needs and Washington County government for wastewater service needs. If the engineering evaluation determines additional capacity is needed for facility operations, DHS officials indicated that the federal government will pay any fees required for additional water or wastewater capacity, and DHS officials indicated that the federal government will pay any required infrastructure improvements needed for the right road sewage pump station.
If additional water and wastewater capacity is needed, KVG is also responsible for providing a temporary solution for meeting the facility's water and wastewater needs until infrastructure improvements are made.
As far as impact on local resources, the facility will have a full complement of medical staff, including doctors and nurses to provide around the clock 24-7 care for detainees. DHS officials indicated that the facility will handle medical needs in-house or through a private contractor so as not to overburden local resources.
Additionally, security for the facility will be provided by the Federal Protective Services. Officials from DHS welcomed the open dialogue between our agencies and expressed a desire to maintain ongoing communication and collaboration.
Future meetings have not been scheduled at this time, and the county commissioners of Washington County are committed to ensuring that residents have all available information as it becomes available.
We also understand that a meeting was held yesterday that was scheduled by Congresswoman April McClain Delaney. By invitation only, the Board of County Commissioners was not invited to that roundtable discussion of community leaders. That's everything that I have for today.
Commissioner Cline: A point of clarification. On the March 16th meeting, it was stated that the Board of County Commissioners, it wasn't the full board. It was only, were you able to name the people who attended that meeting?
Gordon: I sure can. So the attendees of that meeting were Commission President John Barr, myself as the county administrator, Zach Kiefer, our county attorney, Sheriff Brian Albert, and Colonel Pete Lazich. Thank you.
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