Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Hold Meeting Following Work Session

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Montgomery County Government Annex in Mount Vernon, Georgia.

Following an invocation led by Vice-Chairman Clarence Thomas and the pledge of allegiance, the Board approved the May 12 agenda and the minutes from the meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025. Both motions to approve were made by Commissioner Jimmy Sharpe and seconded by Commissioner Leland Adams, and both motions were approved unanimously.

The Board heard reports from three county departments, beginning with a report from Montgomery County Recreation Department Director Kendall Bennamon. According to Bennamon, the Department concluded its regular t-ball, softball and baseball seasons the week prior with two boys teams moving forward into all-star and district play. The all-star selections will play in the Telfair Invitational and the Treutlen Invitational, and district play will begin on either Saturday, June 7, or Monday, June 9. 

“It was a great season,” says Bennamon. “The kids all had fun and we had a great turnout for the six weeks that we had games.”

Director Bennamon then called forward three of the four child athletes who competed in the GRPA Class BC State Track and Field Championship on Friday, April 25, 2025, and Saturday, April 26, 2025, at East Jackson High School in Commerce, Georgia. 

Jayden Epps won first place in the 1600 Meter Run for boys 9 to 10 and in the 800 Meter Run for boys 9 to 10, as well as set two new state time records for both categories. Malia Epps won seventh place in the Softball Throw Finals for girls 11 to 12. Kylin Sneed won eighth place in the Softball Throw Finals for boys 11 to 12. Major Carswell was a state qualifier in the Standing Long Jump for boys 9 to 10. Both Carswell and Sneed had to play up an age bracket due to age control dates.

“I’m very grateful to our county managers, to all the commissioners and the citizens of Montgomery for your support,” says Bennamon.

Director Bennamon also proposed a “wall of champions” to be included in the ongoing renovations to honor athletic achievements going forward.

Next, the Board heard a report from Montgomery County EMS Director Drew James. Director James reported 97 calls for service in the past month and provided an update regarding kits for county buildings. According to James, there were enough kits to provide to the road and fire departments in addition to the preplanned provisions.

Director James also announced the EMS Department could now retrieve the Firefighter Rehab and Special Events trailer in two weeks from North Carolina. The department has planned a four hour program for the fire departments in the county to spread awareness of illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. 

Director James concluded his report by announcing an additional crew will be present at the graduation ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Brogdon Field in Ailey, Georgia, to help with crowds.

Finally, the Board heard a report from the Financial Administration delivered by County Manager Heather Scott. The Board also provided printouts of the April 2025 Cash Bases Financial Report for attendees of the meeting.

According to the financial report, the county’s total revenue this year added up to 43.2% of the budget. The total number of expenditures added up to 26.4% of the total budget. Individually, total general government added up to 22.1% of its respective budget, judicial was 34.9%, public safety was 27.1%, public works was 17.2%, health and welfare was 33.3%, culture and recreation was 40.5%, housing and development was 22.1%, debt service was 33.3% and other financing uses was 44.2%. 

The Board moved on to their agenda items, beginning with whether to accept new policy regarding proper meetings of county commissioners. Commissioner Amie Vassey offered a motion to dismiss the policy, but the motion was not seconded. Commissioner Adams offered a motion to accept the policy which was seconded by Vice-Chairman Thomas. The motion was passed four to one, with Commissioner Vassey against.

Next, the Board had to decide on one of three quotes to replace a broken air conditioner unit in the Montgomery County Health Department. Commissioner Adams offered a motion to accept the lowest quote of $8,950 which was seconded by Vice-Chairman Thomas. The motion passed four to one, with Commissioner Sharpe against.

The final agenda item concerned accepting the new Department of Correction work detail contract, which would increase the salaries of correctional officers by 10% on July 1. Vice-Chairman Thomas offered a motion to accept the contract, which Commissioner Sharpe seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.

Next, the Board heard two public comments, beginning with Mickey Moore. According to Moore, he had obtained records from 2022 and 2023 which showed there were approximately $250,000 in uncollected taxes from members of the community.

The second public comment was from Shawna Sheehan, who seconded Moore’s concern regarding the uncollected taxes as well as asked the Board to assist in the recovery of the Tax Commissioner’s missing records. 

Following public comments, the Board entered an executive session to consider “possible litigation” according to County Manager Scott. After exiting the session, Chairman-Commissioner Ginger Morris announced no decision had been made regarding litigation, but the Board would encourage County Attorney Ron Daniels to assess the Montgomery County Tax Commissioner office moving forward.

The Board then opened for commissioner comments, of which there were two from Commissioner Adams. First, Commissioner Adams asked why the Tax Commissioner’s office was closed. According to Commissioner Vassey, the employees were away for training and would return Friday, May 16.

Commissioner Adams’ second comment regarded the agenda of the Montgomery County Board of Education’s agenda, which proposed a joint effort with the Board of Commissioners which Adams was unaware of. According to Commissioner Vassey, the item was in reference to her speaking to the Board of Education regarding recent economic classes she had taken. Adams asked for the agenda to clarify Vassey would not be speaking on behalf of the Board of Commissioners.

Following the discussion, the Board adjourned the meeting.