Montgomery County Commission adopts new HR rules, renews Microsoft agreement and approves grants and appointments

The Montgomery County Commission met in Formal Session on Nov. 19, 2024, and approved a set of administrative and fiscal actions including the adoption of new county human-resources rules required by Act 2024-337, the renewal of the county's Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, and authorization to apply for an ATRIP‑II grant for intersection improvements on US‑80 at Wares Ferry Road.

The Commission adopted the Montgomery County Human Resources Rules, Policies and Procedures intended to implement Act 2024‑337, which requires counties to establish merit-based personnel systems by Dec. 1, 2024. The motion to adopt was moved by Commissioner Sankey and seconded by Commissioner Harris and carried unanimously. The adopted packet included rules on recruitment, classifications, pay plans, appeals and other personnel procedures.

In other business, the Commission approved a three-year renewal of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) to maintain the county’s E5 licensing level and related security features. Rodney Smith, Senior IT Manager, recommended the renewal in packet materials, stating, "I recommend that the County Commission renew this agreement with Microsoft. This new agreement will maintain the County's E5 level that contains many additional server and user security features for both local and cloud platforms." The SHI quote in the packet lists Year‑1 costs at $475,505.95 and a three‑year total of $1,426,517.85; the Commission approved the renewal by unanimous vote.

The Commission also authorized staff to pursue an ATRIP‑II grant with ALDOT for intersection improvements at US‑80 and Wares Ferry Road. County Engineer George Speake’s memo estimated the project at $1.7 million and stated ATRIP‑II grant funds would cover the project at 100%, with no county match required.

Several personnel and administrative actions were approved without dissent, including an unbudgeted position fill for an Administrative Assistant in the Finance Department and a recommended salary-grade increase for the Revenue Examiner classification; personnel memos estimated the salary change’s annual cost at roughly $11,600 and recommended a formal review of the Tax & Audit Department.

The Commission approved a bid award for the Annex II interior renovation to Stallings & Sons, Inc. for $4,227,712.00, amended the Chappy’s Deli catering contract to extend it through Nov. 20, 2025, and approved multiple board appointments and routine appropriations. Under waived-rules items the Commission approved Equitable Sharing Agreement certifications for the District Attorney’s office and the Sheriff’s office; the packet included the ESAC forms for both agencies.

Votes at a glance: [selected motions from the meeting packet] • Approve Minutes of Nov. 4, 2024 — Moved: Vice Chairman Moore‑Zeigler; Second: Commissioner Sankey; Outcome: Approved (unanimous, 5-0). • Sale: Eight decommissioned Ford patrol vehicles to Barbour County Sheriff — Moved: Vice Chairman Moore‑Zeigler; Second: Commissioner Harris; Outcome: Approved (unanimous, 5-0). • Adopt Resolution: Montgomery County HR Rules, Policies and Procedures (per Act 2024‑337) — Moved: Commissioner Sankey; Second: Commissioner Harris; Outcome: Approved (unanimous, 5-0). • Approve: Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Renewal (2024–2027) — Moved: Vice Chairman Moore‑Zeigler; Second: Commissioner Castanza; Outcome: Approved (unanimous, 5-0). Packet quote Year‑1 $475,505.95; 3‑yr total $1,426,517.85. • Authorize: ATRIP‑II grant application for US‑80 at Wares Ferry Road (est. $1.7M; 100% ATRIP funds) — Moved: Commissioner Harris; Second: Commissioner Sankey; Outcome: Approved (unanimous, 5-0). • Adopt Resolution: Obligate up to $50,000 of Commissioner Sankey’s ARPA revenue-loss allocation for a project monitor (interagency agreement) — Outcome: Approved (unanimous, 5-0). • Adopt Resolution: Accept vendor for the Comm"UNITY" Partnership Grant Program — Outcome: Adopted (abstention: Commissioner Sankey; yes 4, abstain 1). • Adjourn meeting — Moved: Commissioner Sankey; Second: Commissioner Harris; Outcome: Approved (unanimous, 5-0).

The Commission packet contains the full text of resolutions, memos from department heads (including the County Engineer and Senior IT Manager), bid tabulations for Annex II renovation and ESAC forms for equitable-sharing certifications. The meeting closed after brief commissioner remarks including a reminder about the county Christmas tree lighting scheduled for Dec. 3, 2024.