Montgomery County commissioners squabble over new positions

While Montgomery County commissioners continued to debate several new positions presented during Tuesday's meeting, the court approved a transfer of one employee that is drawing concern from a few residents as well as a review by the District Attorney's Office.

In a 3-1 vote, commissioners approved the transfer of Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley's wife Deanne from the Sheriff's Office to Precinct 5 Constable David Hill's Office. Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack was the lone nay vote, while Commissioner Riley recused himself.

The move follows Riley's motion Nov. 22 to create the position. However, he maintains he was not aware his wife would be considered for the job when the court approved the item. While the position is considered new, Hill explained that the position is actually an upgrade from a position that was vacated by an employee in September.

In addition to approving Deanne Riley's transfer, in two 4-1 votes, the court approved a new lieutenant position for the Precinct 3 Constable's Office at a salary of $125,000 annually, and a temporary maintenance tech position for the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador was the lone nay vote on the Precinct 3 constable position, while Noack voted against the temporary airport tech position.

Precinct 5 Constable's office

Hill spoke to the court Tuesday in defense of Commissioner Riley explaining he approached the commissioner about upgrading the position to help with a "gang of paperwork" since the workload in the office has increased. Hill said the other constable's offices have office managers and his office will benefit from someone in that position as well.

"I approach the court today to hire a lady who worked for me 15 years ago who I know personally, who I know her work habits and knowledge of county operations. … I know what she can do in our office to facilitate as an office manager and free our people to get back on the streets," Hill said. "I request we hire Deanne Riley to that position."

Deanne Riley started working for the county in 2002.

The Montgomery County DA's Office confirmed Monday that it received and was reviewing a complaint regarding Commissioner Riley's move to create the position ultimately filled by his wife.

According to information obtained by The Courier, agenda items for the court agenda are due the Wednesday before the court's meeting. For the Nov. 22 meeting, that date was Nov. 16. However, on Nov. 17, a draft agenda was released to commissioners, and it did not include the request by Hill regarding the upgraded position. When the official agenda was posted Nov. 18, Hill's request was included.

Sheriff-elect Rand Henderson confirmed the schedule for interviews for his new administration was sent Nov. 21. Deanne Riley along with Paige Pangarakis, who is being transferred from MCSO to Commissioner Riley's office, declined those interviews with Henderson. Pangarakis, who has served as the administrative manager for Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel, works in the same office with Deanne Riley.

Henderson said he received Deanne Riley's resignation letter Nov. 30.

Montgomery County officials confirmed Tuesday that while there is no written policy regarding vacant positions, neither the Precinct 5 position nor the new position in Riley's office were posted as open positions and no applicants were received except for Deanne Riley and Pangarakis, respectively.

According to the women's payroll change request forms, Deanne Riley's transfer to Hill's office is effective Jan. 1, and Pangarakis' transfer to Commissioner Riley's office is effective Dec. 31.

In their new positions, Deanne Riley will have her same title, while Pangarakis will be an administrative assistant. Deanne Riley will be taking a salary cut from around $68,000 to $58,000 a year. Hill had requested the $58,000 position, replacing a $43,000-a-year position and making up the difference with his allotted budget.

Pangarakis' salary will be cut from around $55,000 to $48,000 annually.

Precinct 3 Constable's Office

In a 4-1 vote, commissioners agreed to create a lieutenant position. Meador was the lone nay vote.

Constable Ryan Gable said James Sumner is tapped to fill the position. Sumner has 35 years in law enforcement, most recently as assistant chief with the Harris County Sheriff's Office under interim Sheriff Ron Hickman. Hickman, who was appointed to fill the spot after former Sheriff Adrian Garcia left for an unsuccessful bid as mayor in May 2015, lost his run for sheriff to Ed Gonzalez.

Noack praised Gable for his presentation for the new position noting it was the "exact way" to demonstrate the need for a new position.

However, following the presentation by Gable, Meador questioned why the position was not presented during the budget hearings in July. The county's budget cycle started Oct. 1.

"Constable, did you not see this need in the budget session," Meador asked. "Why wait four months after the (budget) process? … I'm just having a problem making this step four or five months after the budget process."

Gable said he did not anticipate the growth of his office.

"We understand it is a big request, especially at this time," said Gable, who believes the move is an opportunity to get Sumner with his extensive background.

Budget impact would be about $94,000 pro-rated for 2016 and $125,500 for 2017. Gable requested an additional $55,000 for a vehicle, but the commissioners asked if that could be put on hold.

Henderson said the MCSO could help in "finding" a vehicle for the position if that was a "sticking point" for the court.

"I agree that is a great hire," Henderson said of Sumner.

Conroe North Houston Regional Airport

Airport Director Scott Smith requested that the court approve a temporary maintenance tech position for the month of January. According to Smith, a longtime staff member is retiring and this would allow his replacement to start and work closely to learn the position.

The court approved the request in a 4-1 vote with Noack being the lone nay vote.

Noack questioned Smith regarding numerous budget amendments made since the court approved the budget in September. According Noack, the court has approved more than $100,000 in budget amendments since October.

"I am not approving any more positions in 2017; we set a budget and we need to stick to it," Noack said. "I welcome my court members to join me to hold line."