Montgomery County approves $388,525 election budget and awards probate mailing contract

The Montgomery County Commission on July 7 approved a budget change request of $388,525 to fund a special primary election scheduled for Aug. 11, 2026, and awarded a contract for printing and mailing renewal notices for the Probate Office.

Alexandria Stephens, Montgomery County Director of Elections, told the commission the Special Primary will cover congressional districts called in the memo and, as added in the packet, two state Senate districts. The Election Center estimated total costs of $388,525 and said most costs are reimbursable to the county at 100% because the election involves a federal office, citing Code of Alabama §17‑16‑4. The commission approved the budget request on a unanimous vote (moved by Vice Chairman Moore‑Zeigler; seconded by Commissioner Castanza).

Separately, the commission voted unanimously to award the bid for printing and mailing notices to Peregrine Services, Inc. of Monroe, Louisiana. The contract (Contract No. 51300‑26C‑014, included in the meeting packet) sets an initial term of Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, and requires the contractor to provide printing, folding, inserting, postage processing, mailing, tracking and related services for renewal notices. The agreement requires the contractor to submit required documentation within ten calendar days of award, including certificates of insurance, E‑Verify documentation and any business licenses required by law.

The county will pay the contractor in arrears for accepted services and only actual U.S. Postal Service postage costs, the contract states; markups or surcharges on postage are not permitted unless expressly authorized in writing. The contract also includes confidentiality, disaster recovery and indemnification provisions and requires the contractor to maintain required insurance. The motion to award the contract carried unanimously; the motion on the award was recorded as moved by Commissioner Harris (participating electronically) and seconded by Vice Chairman Moore‑Zeigler.

The county packet includes the Invitation to Bid No. 51300‑26B‑014 and multiple bid abstracts showing competing offers; the contract incorporated the ITB, bid pricing and any resulting purchase orders by reference. The Elections Office and Probate Office will administer related invoices and reimbursement procedures.