[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6123828,"mediaKeyId","2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527","parentId",2687849,"title","Commission hears $6.13 million change order for jail renovations; inmate food contract, ICE bed expansion discussed","audioSeconds",2276,"startMs",101000,"endMs",2377000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527&start=101&end=2377","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527/thumbnail_101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123828/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Commission-hears-613-million-change-order-for-jail-renovations-inmate-food-contract-ICE-bed-expansion-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123828-5eed8f067731d92c21c0050694291bee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015620&Signature=R~VHgLxBWPn5HyPi2GJUKQJnmo7ReJBWxSISGxM7Ms54iTIqlF1NFVW-ap9lLLd11evFNQpSgbhamoAP9AE-zi~bOdvoU8mm4nOLIKMEcX3NgKed8qojqlbb2g82C2oWRl01dbeEiPt7-h8dsibSc3kpUVK7LeykUdKhouh0d9C1jZ58AIDPO9m61n8s5981YdInc-JZBSMKi9kGn06I2plfHMg5EdSiCxbrb3yGgbqV27eAdsJLnXVnthQn3DDPT4lymlckvech3SWYGt43rIieCaTEniDoh8Rp6xJBhKJH-47YvyFkzy4Jurl79YBvGnI1Xcd0wo613beS7ozaCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County Alabama","date","2025-03-19T03:00:33Z","article","Montgomery County commissioners reviewed a proposed $6,133,158.77 change order for Phase 2 renovations at the Montgomery County Detention Facility and discussed an inmate food-service contract during an information session in March 2025.

The change order as presented would cover three main items: replacement of kitchen equipment (listed at $455,000), expansion of the detention facility’s ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) space to 98 beds (listed at $1,200,000), and replacement of smoke and evacuation louvers (listed at $4,300,000). County staff said bond proceeds currently available in the project bond would cover the additional cost.

Why it matters: county staff and the sheriff’s office said the louvers are a life-safety component of the fire-alarm system and many parts are no longer produced by the original manufacturer, which increased replacement complexity and cost. Officials also said ICE bed space generates per-diem revenue for the county, and staff expect that additional revenue would offset some costs over time.

County staff told commissioners the kitchen equipment was found during demolition to be past its useful life and not economical to repair. The presentation said some laundry and kitchen machines were effectively too large or too degraded to move and would require replacement. Staff and contractors described efforts to identify compatible replacement parts, and said some items require specialty fabrication or cranes to install because of the existing building configuration.

The session also revisited a planned contract for inmate food service with Summit Food Service LLC, which was on the agenda as a separate bid award. County staff and the sheriff clarified that the contract covers breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the jail; it does not refer to commissary or specialty “a la carte” items sold to inmates. The bidders provided three levels of service: (1) full-service preparation and cleaning by the vendor, (2) vendor supervision with inmates performing some cooking and cleaning, and (3) a training model where the vendor supervises inmates learning to cook. Commissioners were told the county is temporarily using the youth facility kitchen because the jail kitchen is under renovation; for that reason staff recommended the full-service option for the interim period, with a longer-term plan to use the less expensive, supervised-inmate model when the facility is back online.

Commissioners asked why the need for major replacements was not discovered earlier in the project. Staff replied some issues were only evident once demolition exposed existing equipment and fire-control hardware. The county’s architect and construction manager, they said, reviewed the conditions as they arose and sought replacement options, but the lack of original manufacturers and unique building constraints increased costs.

No formal vote on the change order or the Summit Food Service award is recorded in the transcript. The change-order memorandum and the food-service bid were presented for consideration; county staff said funding is available in the current bond to pay the additional costs.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff and the county attorney to continue reviewing contract language and procurement records so the county can reduce future overruns and ensure more complete front-end due diligence on similar projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montgomery County Commission Information Meeting 3-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","Montgomery County commissioners reviewed a proposed $6,133,158.77 change order for Phase 2 renovations at the Montgomery County Detention Facility and discussed an inmate food-service contract during an information session in March 2025.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Alabama","taxId",2535,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123813,"Habitat for Humanity reports $300,000 ARPA award, shows progress on New Hope Village builds",0,2645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527&start=2645&end=2645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527/thumbnail_2645000.jpg","/articles/6123813/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Habitat-for-Humanity-reports-300000-ARPA-award-shows-progress-on-New-Hope-Village-builds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123813-596222786d72954005aad3df01ad24f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015620&Signature=oWw1s1dfsaUKLfSap3plKIRZY8Svva2uUk39THHpwXv1FZDG4i9ZijM~NeRUXN45xUEFj1GPSXk9IMJGvclv0xgSWnGUk4kN4245EyvkADI7Yt0dN3LmAWyTBBYNFJht~YDFknlcx1nRZa2AbFfm7KC8JQq8KQ5N7-cpiPUgjjKxe2n~y-0-H~6S4wQgaVFRSDWUMJ-G81xNcUJ-ICXxOgl53TpY08qy2OqG8aBNnNqjpttUQ6e2sI6SyEZ1edTNaNZQUgM36U8LEdmUAH0K6B03bo2M4pKh8yOQ4WeR~V3pPPheCFBndsklBqYPiWaaTADr5lzp083sKDQjtdiFYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Susan Johnson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity (Montgomery County), told commissioners that the organization received a ceremonially presented $300,000 ARPA award for new construction at New Hope Village and presented progress photos and program details.

Johnson said the $300,000 is restricted to new construction under the beneficiary agreement and is held in a separate account. She described site activity that began after a December ceremonial groundbreaking, listed new addresses in New Hope Village (828, 832 and 836 Millard Fuller Drive), and said two of the homes should be ready within roughly 30 days. Johnson credited volunteer build days and a recent build led by the sheriff’s office for accelerating work and said the volunteer model remains central to Habitat’s approach.

Johnson outlined partner-family qualification requirements for homeownership: demonstration of need, a willingness to perform sweat-equity hours (200 hours under current guidance, down from 400), the ability to pay demonstrated through review of payment history (not solely credit score), and a cap on nonmedical debt (no more than $3,000). She said up to 50% of sweat-equity hours may be performed by family or church members in some cases.

Commissioners thanked Habitat staff and volunteers and noted that Commissioner Isaiah Sankey signed the $300,000 check. Habitat leaders invited commissioners and staff to upcoming build days and asked for continued partnership to expand affordable homeownership in Montgomery.

Ending: Habitat leaders said they will provide the commission with invitations to upcoming build days and will follow up on opportunities to coordinate additional county support for affordable housing.","Habitat for Humanity’s executive director told commissioners the nonprofit received a $300,000 ARPA grant for new construction at New Hope Village and showed construction milestones and volunteer engagement.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123818,"Probate judge asks for a replacement election vehicle; commission discusses salary alignment and office relocation",544,1071000,1615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527&start=1071&end=1615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527/thumbnail_1071000.jpg","/articles/6123818/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Probate-judge-asks-for-a-replacement-election-vehicle-commission-discusses-salary-alignment-and-office-relocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123818-bb0cdabbf4e10564daf75ac543145c6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015620&Signature=iZPPR3YNxEkF4D~wVWbiFs7UrEFi9f4c87GWFKQmy-DMWjO9wUDEiqgKcQGOhoVh9-3VxQvszN9Ld8~VDVUry98i3UYtXO9PJN-5VJZ2fyWGE3HDvGR8ZiARH2wWfOnqrY5Uu1PkjXBfn-IysZrCd9quRDLFTC~jZ1NaVqUuaTyIcn36sCqTSHLZd~jBs54t-GmCkDlxHQ~v1dbnJwVr5OWHv9d~QiYXViYvmu04rJFSzxp32ebB0ci-AN5vDt-IvdZQ5Ez9mk-nNMvUTjhyi43NfW9zSm7RdNKpbemEHkTUPuzJYUoUp12nts8s7DbIIXK05RwVZq0YWwmSBtR36g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Probate Judge JC Love briefed Montgomery County commissioners on a request to replace a 2006 Dodge minivan used by the county’s election center and outlined planning for the county’s probate office relocation. Commissioners also discussed a proposal to adjust the probate judge’s salary to parity with circuit judges, subject to eligibility rules.

Judge Love said the election center’s older minivan is in need of replacement and that staff currently use a 2020 vehicle and personal cars for travel to conferences and outreach. He asked the commission to consider budgeting for a utility-style vehicle that could carry staff and equipment; both he and county leaders agreed the purchase should be included in next year’s budget hearings and, if approved, would be effective in October.

On compensation, staff noted that a local constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2022 ties probate judge pay to a higher benchmark and that the proposed adjustment would align the probate judge’s salary with circuit judges’ pay practices. Commissioners and the judge discussed the amendment’s eligibility requirement; staff said the increase would only begin after the judge had served six years in office.

Commissioners and staff also discussed the probate office relocation necessitated by planned construction. County leaders said they are narrowing site options and expect to present a plan within about 30 days; they preferred identifying a temporary location so public service is not interrupted while construction occurs. The mayor of Pike Road has formally expressed interest in hosting a county office in that municipality and county staff said they will provide the commission a formal letter for consideration.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to include the election vehicle request in the next budget cycle, to return a timeline on the probate office relocation and to advance the salary-adjustment proposal through the appropriate channels for final review.","Probate Judge JC Love briefed the commission on a request to replace an aging election center vehicle and discussed plans to budget the purchase in next fiscal year. Commissioners also discussed a proposal to align the probate judge's salary with circuit judges and the ongoing search for a temporary probate office relocation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123823,"Commissioners pledge designated-revenue donations to local nonprofits; members ask for clearer funding criteria",309,214000,523000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527&start=214&end=523","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687849-88f5d581be1d3e58cedc5d74e585f527/thumbnail_214000.jpg","/articles/6123823/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Commissioners-pledge-designated-revenue-donations-to-local-nonprofits-members-ask-for-clearer-funding-criteria","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123823-58bffe9e87208d73f0528af3c2629e81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015620&Signature=S0ZuOdDrK-bo07mWvF7EerFjlc3KMSv3kSAEYg7yEfZV~MFMIX~aLfydk9LuUeMdVBFD5ySWKAy5DUFKmeE9kxYzHRwXDx1ldE0~fMQqnXFy64FYt5YEy4MH1h4El-jQkjID54OwlmFSkrAJAdd3Yz6XqAmm7CC8zZMuqkp3kvrz3-0mCPxnrrJMBmmtzxDLVXrPk-tmcLDahmijBnwzdkvgXUFHDzeHBntm1vH~OHT2I0bYUqyMB0DjmaTWc1X6tdqzBg5~ryE~HhqIfrZM9TDh64iC5CY8Q-oW8BSsMSQy6QKYabtj34fgASNgXlHtdkKInHTJDf2ElCG-1M5kTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County commissioners cited several designated-revenue contributions to local nonprofits during the March 2025 information session and discussed the need for clearer criteria for repeat funding requests.

Several commissioners said they had already provided or were prepared to provide designated-revenue contributions to organizations that had asked the commission for support. Examples mentioned in the session included commitments to CASA, a veterans services organization called Pierce, a scholarship gala for a local program (Tranham/Trina), and a $5,000 sponsorship request from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Foundation for a May community event. Commissioners described splitting some sponsorships across multiple members to meet requests.

Commissioners also said they would tighten documentation requirements for groups that repeatedly request county funds. Staff and commissioners discussed asking nonprofit applicants to provide audited financial statements, detailed budgets, tax returns, and other evidence of financial management as part of future reviews, and to limit repeat annual assumptions that the commission will automatically fund the same organizations each year.

The session reflected informal commitments rather than recorded final appropriation votes: staff took notes on pledged amounts and said designated-revenue accounts would be used where available. Commissioners urged creation of formal criteria and a review process at budget time to evaluate recurring requests.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to return with a proposed policy or criteria for designated-revenue requests ahead of the next budget cycle so the commission can evaluate repeat grantees more systematically.","During the information session commissioners committed multiple designated-revenue contributions to local nonprofits and asked staff to develop more rigorous application and documentation requirements for future requests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission hears $6.13 million change order for jail renovations; inmate food contract, ICE bed expansion discussed

Habitat for Humanity reports $300,000 ARPA award, shows progress on New Hope Village builds

Probate judge asks for a replacement election vehicle; commission discusses salary alignment and office relocation

Commissioners pledge designated-revenue donations to local nonprofits; members ask for clearer funding criteria