Washington County commissioners voted Thursday to hand over responsibility for the third annual Real Estate Expo to the Washington County Redevelopment Authority. The split vote—two in favor, one against—reflects the commissioners’ belief that the authority is better suited to manage the event’s long‑term planning and coordination.
Commissioners’ rationale
Commission Chair Nick Sherman said the move will allow the expo to benefit from the redevelopment authority’s expertise in delivering quality projects for the county. “It’s better to be placed with redevelopment because they’re better suited for this,” Sherman explained, adding that the decision gives the authority time to plan next year’s event.
Audit findings raise questions
Commissioner Larry Maggi, a vocal critic of the expo, highlighted a recent audit by County Controller Heather Sheatler. The audit identified six significant findings, including a budget overrun of $8,314 on the 2026 expo, which cost $97,814 overall. Sheatler also flagged questionable use of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and county general‑fund money, as well as inadequate supporting documentation and lapses in IRS Form 1099 reporting.
Maggi urged that these issues be resolved before the expo is transferred, saying, “I would at least like to get those remedied before we do anything with that.” Sherman responded that the audit would be addressed in future oversight processes, noting the redevelopment authority already has roughly $34,000 in seed money from the previous event to support planning.
Roles and responsibilities
Under the motion, the county will continue handling marketing, graphic design, and setup support for next year’s expo, while the redevelopment authority will assume overall coordination and program management. Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Bob Griffin said he will work closely with the commissioners to determine next steps and ensure a smooth transition.
Future outlook
Sheatler’s audit recommends incorporating the expo into the county’s general‑fund ledger to strengthen financial oversight and streamline future external audits. The controller emphasized that a more consistent recording process would improve monitoring of revenues, expenditures, and supporting documentation.
While the exact location and date for the 2027 expo have not yet been announced, officials expect the redevelopment authority’s involvement to enhance the event’s economic impact for Washington County.
Community response
The expo has been described by some local leaders as an economic driver, while others view it as a misuse of taxpayer resources. The commissioners’ decision to shift oversight aims to address those concerns while preserving the expo’s potential benefits for local businesses and residents.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
