Washington County might be gearing up for some serious upgrades with a possible $30 million bond sale on the table. During a public hearing at the May 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, plans were laid out to finance the Central Service and License Center and the Central Park improvements in Woodbury. These updates are part of the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan that got the green light last December. If the bond sale goes through at the May 14 vote, expect to see $24.5 million funneled into the Service Center, with an additional $4.5 million sprucing up Central Park.

It's not just about buildings and parks. The county's workforce is getting a fresh playbook, too. A new 2024-2028 Regional/Local Workforce Development Plan was approved, ready to steer job seekers back on the path with WIOA-funded services. According to the Washington County announcement, this plan is all about keeping programs kosher with the Department of Labor and ensuring adults, youths, and folks who've been laid off get the help they need. The plan's got the stamp of approval from the local WDB and after a 30-day public commentary period, it's off to DEED for a final nod expected in August.

And let's hear it for charity! Washington County's not too proud to say thanks for the donations rolling in. The Library Department gladly took over a thousand bucks from generous locals while the Parks Division pocketed a modest sum for sprucing up the green spaces and planting native trees. The Sheriff’s Office wasn't left out, scoring cash for the K9 unit and some goodies for Employee Appreciation Day. Even the Offender Recovery Program snagged a little something to help keep itself rolling.

Washington County's also tipping its hat to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities this May. Marking a month-long salute to their contributions to America, the county's not forgetting the historical milestones like the first Japanese arriving on US soil and how Chinese laborers were the backbone of the transcontinental railroad. Mental well-being is on the radar, too. The county's boarding the Mental Health Awareness training with a “Where to Start” theme to shed light on resources and start chatty about mental health.

Finally, those behind bars aren't the only ones clocking in time. The county's singing praises for National Correctional Officers Week, thanking the Jail Division's finest for their grit and dedication to a job that's anything but a walk in the park.