Montgomery Commission discusses, delays vote on lease for East Probate Office

What to do about the East Probate Office came up again at the Dec. 2 Montgomery County Commission meeting.

Relocating the office has been a topic for the commission since spring. The commission has discussed renting, buying and even building a new probate office for east Montgomery County.

At the Dec. 2 meeting, the county commission discussed entering into a 15-year lease with Oliver Creek Holdings for the probate office.

County Administrator Kindell Anderson explained the lease called for $8 per square foot, which would be $21,000 per month or $250,000 a year. While the county would fund the rental, it would be reimbursed for $900,000 after renovations are completed.

Mathes Parker was the low bidder, Anderson said.

However, the prospect of renting space did not sit well with everyone, particularly with Commissioner Justin Castanza. He asked Probate Judge J.C. Love, who was present at the meeting, about renting the defunct Bargain Hunt location. Love said he was open to multiple options, including the former Virginia College location.

Love was in favor of delaying a vote until January while he explores other potential locations. He said he hopes to have a new location by late 2026.

The real issue is whether the building should be rented or owned by the county. Commissioner Daniel Harris said that he was in favor of purchasing a building.

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“We should take this time and really, seriously look for something to purchase,” Harris said. He said the county could again find itself without an office if the building’s owner has other plans. “We’re always better off to own the facility that we’re operating out of.”

Allyson Holland, Chief Clerk at Montgomery County Revenue Commissioner’s Office, was also in favor of purchasing, rather than renting, a new space.

“Fifteen years seems like a lot,” she said. "I think taxpayers will probably feel better about us taking our time and getting a place that we own.”

The commission agreed to table further discussion until Dec. 16 for an information session when a plan can be formulated.

The Montgomery County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 101 South Lawrence Street. Information sessions begin at 10 a.m. followed by the formal meeting.

Livestreamed meetings can be seen on the commission’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

Agendas with additional details can be found at the commission’s documents section of the website.