[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6223164,"mediaKeyId","3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9","parentId",3576928,"title","Montgomery County officials discuss leasing and renovating former retail space for Probate East","audioSeconds",931,"startMs",933000,"endMs",1975,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9&start=933&end=1","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9/thumbnail_933000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6223164/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-County-officials-discuss-leasing-and-renovating-former-retail-space-for-Probate-East","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223164-5fe788ef9e5148db9f01093fb0ab9b8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450698&Signature=g4dL-xqpdMQH5~vFmwGn8ZN5zavxaHDhbOmAvE~sgDLftiWGcaAFGrVDEB7rHeCreGcuHsyCkFaXoK7QHs5iQvXaCl80lyrApasVrYAIpqgk-ZdqCct18zzalkn~XFMXePSaCWW4HlyGa8eNgv4Koc5KDJ0CLKtOnMd1qPjF9apYISvByeugsuPLi96SaqR2FLJNHixARrR5gWD8DDwERgMbM8-mjrjgtemKvvhnEy4LtgC1VikNBSb3TpaA~I7U7RJGolQ0wG~pIs9XtSPfKuzuSzzb5tdkNGnHkz2arJB2EGviMuguk9s-4~uAoo1BapB2oqJzU8fJkb~P72~sOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County Alabama","date","2025-05-28T02:39:09Z","article","Montgomery County commission members spent the meeting’s information session debating a proposal to lease and renovate a 31,000-square-foot retail space on Atlanta Highway to serve as a new Probate East and county revenue storefront.

County staff said the space — a former Bargain Hunt in the Walmart Plaza on Atlanta Highway — is available for about $7 per square foot, roughly $18,000 per month, and that the county would sign a lease of up to 10 years while evaluating permanent options. Staff said the space would also be used to store election equipment and other county property currently held in two warehouses.

The discussion centered on trade‑offs between leasing the existing space to avoid service interruptions and buying or building a county‑owned facility. A county staff member explained that moving into the leased site would let Probate East continue to operate while officials plan a permanent building, and that immediate construction or land acquisition could force an extended East office closure. The staff member also said renovating a leased property could cost in the “neighborhood” of $750,000, with much of that likely for plumbing and restroom reconfiguration because the layout was built for retail shelving.

Several commissioners questioned spending taxpayer money to renovate a building the county does not own. One commissioner asked whether the lease or any negotiation could make the owner responsible for renovation costs; staff said they would investigate possible lease terms and legal structures. Commissioners also noted that purchasing and building a new facility could cost multiple millions of dollars and that prior opportunities to buy suitable existing properties had not materialized.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives considered earlier, including potential parcels on Atlanta Highway and previously discussed properties that were not available to purchase. Staff said some retail buildings the county examined were under contract or available only for lease. The county indicated the current proposal is a short‑to‑medium‑term solution while officials continue to research a permanent, county‑owned location.

Staff described the lease instrument discussed to date as a “shell” or term sheet; a full lease, with exit options and detailed renovation estimates, will be brought back to the commission for formal consideration.

Why it matters: Probate East is the busiest probate office in Montgomery County, and staff told commissioners that keeping it open during any move is a priority. The debate illuminates a common local government dilemma: pay to adapt leased space now to maintain services, or invest significantly to acquire and build for long‑term ownership.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montgomery County Commission Formal Meeting 5-27-25","oneSentenceSummary","Montgomery County commission members spent the meeting’s information session debating a proposal to lease and renovate a 31,000‑square‑foot retail space on Atlanta Highway to serve as a new Probate East and county revenue storefront.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Alabama","taxId",2535,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223156,"Commission waives rules to approve final payment for food tray project at detention facility",122,585000,707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9&start=585&end=707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9/thumbnail_585000.jpg","/articles/6223156/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Commission-waives-rules-to-approve-final-payment-for-food-tray-project-at-detention-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223156-a0f1e0532087f76e4351523f2ee36087/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450698&Signature=HSmpMNbqVbhYlgLwgDjq60VDYzkXpznRC0YxwB6vo~naRmOEFFMjbkj58HmlTpcxbVpo2pO0EsAnINenxXcygfhtvsZ11JuIDL8Sga~Ke~RJ5odII9P4J6XkJU19YwelLnxCHEcG4wDH8Dg2aLOSLroE7r9eGT6-okcjz5FDGl2senPHLyJ~3DoGeRLFbcQBB-rBIDTg83slUgShq7tPKhPnmOZa4PaDrsXZGgwV~ASNmebFSHKp~vG94VAy99Ar3tJBWlVjGO-M-VvT-nP0Xa4rmQheSqcKCraQgk3br0DWUlZtGXStFt~7qgA0ecmRuRY4iwdQYTZEaqBv3MpQig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Commission voted during the information session to waive rules and authorize final payment for the food tray project at the Montgomery County Detention Facility.

Regina, a county staff member, told the commission the payment would close out a project that had been ongoing “for the last maybe two years or so” and was intended to finish final tasks so the contract could be closed out. A motion to waive the rules was made and seconded; commissioners voted “aye.”

Why it matters: The approval completes a multi‑year facility project and allows county staff to close out the contract and final accounting.","After a brief presentation, the Montgomery County Commission approved a waiver of rules to authorize final payment for a multi-year food tray project at the Montgomery County Detention Facility.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223159,"County staff recommends approval of Oak Hills Plat No. 1, 12 large residential lots near Moore Road",216,655000,871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9&start=655&end=871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9/thumbnail_655000.jpg","/articles/6223159/Montgomery-County/Alabama/County-staff-recommends-approval-of-Oak-Hills-Plat-No-1-12-large-residential-lots-near-Moore-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223159-cf5c0d47c703af692b46b1d0ffc92b0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450698&Signature=ZSjj6iVtVOaV~GSIqPdEXgntC2gM-1fGnU7Nl-hohGgxXoG2J8iuE9b-fLcjrppuuNut0Va5hTmCjPl6cLE00fFs1zJiFtBjB1EOreiEPyg7HZ~UpLeMwx4c~y2nXiV0qUKNWQznE7L3PArqRcQYd28yhe~CvXu~5CcHvZutd8G3HfAG~vCbe6ysN0eQ8MIWwrSEvW1kJ3raSN6dbhMw1fB2JDyf-sNd2Z1Mco9tHl7FqldxDB3VngRQG~Ojj4FA5qhdIXRHEOaXOCmV8ZzK~sepFZYKgHFVBZcAg4YXWsAvgjAv8PEW5a2-ZNql5NGQTrVdDrIW4sYFrVJO48~K4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County engineering staff recommended approval of Oak Hills Plat Number 1, a proposed 12‑lot subdivision of large single‑family estate parcels on Moore Road at State Route 94.

County Engineer George Speak told the commission the lots range from about 3 to 38 acres and that each lot fronts either Moore Road (a county road) or State Route 94 (a state highway). Speak said the subdivision meets county regulations and recommended approval; the county confirmed there would be no new internal subdivision roads for which the county would assume maintenance.

The developer’s engineer, Brad Flowers, was present for questions. Staff said property owners and utilities had been notified as required. Commissioners had no substantive objections at the information session; staff recommended approval and the item was advanced for formal action.

Why it matters: The plat creates large single‑family estate lots along a corridor near the county line and clarifies county road maintenance responsibilities.","County engineering staff recommended approval of Oak Hills Plat Number 1, a 12-lot subdivision of estate single-family parcels ranging from 3 to 38 acres at Moore Road and State Route 94. The commission raised only minor clarifying questions about road maintenance responsibilities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223162,"Commission questions $100,000 increase requested for jail repairs; staff says funds cover unforeseen maintenance",186,815000,1001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9&start=815&end=1001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3576928-7cc23fb0831e33ca4713bb8da768bfa9/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6223162/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Commission-questions-100000-increase-requested-for-jail-repairs-staff-says-funds-cover-unforeseen-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223162-e8c266bc6505f46bc1331f6dc2ea7345/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450698&Signature=BVx7rOko3QJNcJkOMqTc85~P6aB1PiepHIgRCDGqQNdOUyJt~p6iDaP-Bg0hD0aaGpPCvnV21K~3pYnYNgSxu8WLZWPWc-q15LXO46dPcI3jBCQ-CJnT8BMAp0bxjxrd-kkXX5FqSWL1g5K57MFyuSMTXPLP0Z~yVz8TPL1FvUl-0yTCHdQ1efkLzizbezg9~gpnTDRPFtrAzGv9V6s1ZtIScOVFq8VY8iUE0jSj7soTO3MUZGpAqxjO0joM3~NXJpJYJ6Ub~lLeul2g4hlvCQD60y9370-AKxRNE3p6UOMNwiFGerP6B77XOCR7Im2P6cUB5KAxHL2ckUQU7jxzKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County commissioners pressed staff for details after a budget change request was submitted to cover repairs at the county detention facility.

A commissioner asked what was driving a roughly $100,000 increase listed under repairs and maintenance. County staff clarified the change request applies to the adult jail rather than the youth facility and described the work as unforeseen repairs including unclogging drains and repairing pipes, with much of the work occurring in Jail 2.

Facility staff member Myrtle told commissioners the jail is already operating with a small negative balance, “probably about $13,000 now.” Commissioners asked for greater specificity about the repairs because the county has already allocated substantial funds to detention operations and wanted to avoid repeated supplemental spending without clear details.

No formal vote or detailed line‑item accounting was recorded in the information session; staff presented the request for discussion and indicated they would provide further information as needed.

Why it matters: Repairs affect operations and inmate housing capacity; commissioners indicated oversight and clearer accounting will be necessary before approving larger supplemental allocations.","County staff told commissioners a budget change request for the detention facility reflects unforeseen repairs — mainly unclogging drains and pipe repairs concentrated in Jail 2 — and noted the jail fund is currently in a small negative balance. Commissioners pressed for specifics on the requested increase.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montgomery County officials discuss leasing and renovating former retail space for Probate East

Commission waives rules to approve final payment for food tray project at detention facility

County staff recommends approval of Oak Hills Plat No. 1, 12 large residential lots near Moore Road

Commission questions $100,000 increase requested for jail repairs; staff says funds cover unforeseen maintenance