Board approves Roth 457(b) option, three‑month project manager contract and summer food coordinator

The Liberty County Board of Commissioners approved several procedural and personnel items in a brief votes package at Tuesday’s meeting.

Roth 457(b) adoption: County staff proposed adding a Roth 457(b) option to the county’s existing deferred compensation offerings so employees may make after‑tax contributions whose qualified withdrawals would be tax‑free in retirement. Presenters said the Roth option would be an additional choice, not a replacement for current pre‑tax 457 contributions, and that more than two‑thirds of Georgia counties already offer the Roth feature. The board approved a resolution to adopt the Roth 457(b) amendment and sign the adoption agreement; staff said there is no cost to the county for the change.

Project management contract: The board approved a short‑term contract for project management services with "mister Brown." According to the county, the contract is structured for three months on an as‑needed basis and is intended to provide on‑call project management support for several active capital projects the county identified: the Health Department facility (about 25 percent complete, per staff comments), the new administrative building, and a special airport project. Commissioners said the arrangement may be extended or followed by a permanent hire if needed. The motion passed by a show of hands with one recorded opposition.

Summer food program coordinator and kitchen upgrade discussion: Commissioners approved a motion to engage Michelle James (name provided in the meeting) to coordinate the county’s summer food program and to proceed with program planning. Staff reported the county will operate the summer food program in June–July (one extra week from previous years) and expects to reuse a mix of existing distribution sites; last year the county ran 17 sites. The board also discussed a staff estimate to upgrade an existing county facility (John Duke McIver Auditorium/complex) so it could prepare hot meals; staff presented a conservative estimate of roughly $20,000 to retrofit equipment (commercial stove/refrigerator and other items) but commissioners noted additional fire‑suppression/hood system costs that could raise the total. Commissioners asked staff to pursue funding options and to return with a detailed scope and budget.

Other quick actions: Commissioners approved minutes for March meetings and handled routine departmental reports during the same session.

All motions referenced above were approved on voice/show‑of‑hands votes; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the public transcript.