Salary board approves 2025 annual personnel list; new positions prompt 3–1 vote

The Montgomery County Salary Board approved Jan. 9 the county’s annual list of employees and compensation as presented by county staff, including newly evaluated positions added in the 2025 budget. The motion passed by a 3–1 recorded vote after one commissioner asked for new positions to be considered separately.

Marty Moss (presenting) and other HR staff delivered the salary-board packet: a 61‑page document dated Jan. 8, 2025 listing current county employees, current vacant positions, newly hired employees, and new positions evaluated in the 2025 budget. Commissioners moved to approve the annual compensation list and later voted on separating new positions for additional consideration; the overall annual list vote ultimately passed 3–1.

Commissioners highlighted planned new positions in the county’s diversity, equity and inclusion office and other additions: the board discussed four additional DEI positions as well as proposed roles identified in the budget including a director of immigrant affairs and a chief sustainability officer. Supporters said the additional positions will expand outreach, policy work, and operational capacity on immigration, sustainability, training and data.

A commissioner who opposed the final approval said the request to separate new positions was not honored and said dozens of new positions lacked published job descriptions; that commissioner cited the county’s earlier-discussed budget deficit concerns and said the board should conduct fuller departmental analyses before adding more payroll commitments. The transcript records that commissioner voting against the motion; the salary-board tally was recorded as 3–1 in favor.

County staff said many positions were funded through the adopted 2025 budget, including state‑funded HHS roles and others, and that some positions and salary adjustments reflect state funding or critical recruitment needs (for example, an upgraded salary for a certified forensic pathologist to aid recruitment). The board approved the personnel list after the debate and directed staff to proceed with hiring and payroll updates consistent with the approved list.

The vote concludes the salary-board portion of the Jan. 9 meeting; commissioners asked staff to provide further details where needed and noted plans for additional reporting to the board on large capital and personnel items.