RATIFICATION Contract No. 2025 - INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES This Consultant Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of the 19th day of May 2025 between the local government of Rockdale County, Georgia (hereafter "County") and Georgia Strategy Group (hereafter "Consultant"), collectively referred to as the "Parties," individually may be referred to as "Party. I In consideration of the mutual promises and conditions contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows: 1. Services and Obligations of Consultant 1.1 Scope of Services During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall provide Public Relations and Marketing professional support services described in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and made a part hereof, which shall describe in detail the services to be provided and the compensation for performance and completion of such services. 1.2 Method of Performing Services Consultant working in conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer shall determine the method, details and means of performing the services described in Exhibit " A." 1.3 Office Space and Support Staff County will provide the use of one office for Consultant when onsite. 1.4 Expenses Consultant shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by Consultant unless approved by the County in writing prior to incurring the expenses. 2. Non-Employment Relationship between County and Consultant 2.1 Consultant Relationship Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create an employer-employee relationship between the Parties. This Agreement shall not render the County an employer, partner, agent of or joint venturer with Consultant for any purpose. Consultant shall have no claim against the County for vacation pay, sick leave, retirement, social security, workers' compensation, health or disability benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, or employee benefits of any kind whatsoever. The consideration set forth in the Consultant Service Agreement shall be the sole payment for serviçes rendered. 2.2 Withholding Taxes and Benefits Consultant will be responsible for withholding, accruing and paying all income, social security and other taxes and amounts required by law for the Consulting Fees and all 1 aar-2u Contract No. 2025 - payments to Staff, if any. Consultant shall also be responsible for all statutory insurance and other benefits required by law for Consultant and Staff and all other benefits promised to Staffb by Consultant, if any. Consultant shall provide the County with a completed W-9 form. 2.3 Confidentiality The Parties agree that during the term of this Agreement, the Parties may disclose confidential information to the other Party. Parties agree not to disclose any confidential information to third Parties without the express permission of the other Party. Information designated as confidential information shall remain confidential until the Parties designate it otherwise or until the information becomes public through no fault of the other Party. 3. Warranties 3.1 Consultant Warranties Consultant warrants that it has the right and authority to enter into this Agreement and that this Agreement does not violate the terms of any agreement between Consultant and any third parly. If a license is required, Consultant warrants that they are licensed to perform the agreed-upon services enumerated in this Agreement, and covenants that Consultant shall maintain all valid licenses, permits and registrations to perform the agreed-upon services and on behalf of its employees and subagents. Further, Consultant warrants that it possesses the required expertise to render the services required by this Agreement. 3.2 Competent Work Consultant shall perform all services in a competent, professional manner in accordance with the applicable standards of the profession. 3.3Representations: and Warranties Consultant will make no representations, warranties, or commitments binding the County without the County's prior written consent. 4. County Prohibitions to Create a Safe Work Environment 4.1 Drug/Alcohol Free Workplace Consultant and all Staff, ifany, shall not1 be in possession ofor use of a controlled substance or marijuana during the performance of this Agreement. Consultant, and all Staff, if any, shall also adhere to the County's policies which prohibit the use of any alcohol products while on the premises. 4.2 Prohibition on Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment Consultant does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability in any employment policies and practices. Consultant prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. Consultants and Staff, if any, shall not engage in unlawful harassment or discrimination while on the premises of the County. 2 Contract No. 2025 - 5. Term and Termination 5.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first set forth above. The term of this Agreement shall be for 3 months ("Term") from the date of this Agreement through August 19, 2025. This Agreement shall automatically renew for one-month terms on the 19th of each month unless terminated as provided below, 5.2 Termination by Either Party Either Party may terminate this Agreement without cause with written notice to the other Party with 30 days written notice. Upon termination, Consultant shall return all data and property of the County to the County. The County shall pay Consultant all earned fees, if any. 5.3 Merger This Agreement shall not be terminated by the merger or consolidation of the County into or with any other entity. 6. Notices All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing (the "Notice") and deemed given when (a). hand delivered by the sender and properly receipted for by a responsible person of the receiving party, (b) deposited in the United States Mail, properly addressed, with sufficient postage affixed, via first class mail, return receipt requested, (c) via Federal Express, UPS or similar national overnight courier service with delivery charges prepaid; or (d) via facsimile with a copy sent that same day via (a), (b) or (c). All Notices shall be addressed as follows: County: Consultant: Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Georgia Strategy Group Sue Sanders, ChiefOperating Officer Jorge Diez, CEO 962 Milstead Avenue 575 Pharr Road, Suite 550722 Conyers, GA 30012 Atlanta, GA 30355 AREnAsaatVaeN REéEINnNEpEPSN 7. Non-Exclusivity This Agreement is a non-exclusive agreement. Both Parties may enter into similar agreements with third parties. 8. Indemnification Consultant hereby waives, releases, relinquishes, discharges and agrees to indemnify, protect and save harmless the County, its officers and employees, (collectively, Releases), from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses, costs or expenses, including attorneys' fees, for any loss or damage for1 bodily injury, property damages and attorneys' fees related thereto caused by, growing out of, or otherwise happening in connection with this Agreement, due to any act or omission on the pan of Consultant, its agents, employees, subcontractors, or others working at the direction or on bebalf of Consultant. Consultant's 3 Contract No. 2025 - obligation to indemnify any Releases shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement by either Party for any reason. 9. Waiver The waiver by County of any breach of any provision contained in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision on any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision contained in this Agreement. Any such waiver must be in writing in order to be effective, and no such waiver or waivers shall serve to establish a course of performance between the Parties contradictory to the terms in this Agreement. 10. Assignment Consultant shall not assign or subcontract the whole or any part of this Agreement without County's prior written consent. 11. Force Majeure Neither Party shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the other Party, directly or indirectly, as a result of the first Party's failure to perform, or delay in performing, any of its obligations contained in this Agreement (except any obligations to make payments hereunder), where such failure or delay is caused by circumstances beyond the first Party's control or which make performance commercially impracticable, including but not limited to fire, flood, storm or other natural disaster, explosion, accident, war, riot, civil disorder, government regulations or restrictions of any kind or any acts of any government, judicial action, power failure, acts of God or other natural circumstances. 12. Publicity Consultant and County shall not release, without prior written approval, from the other Party, any publicity regarding the program or services provided herein, including but not limited to notices, information pamphlets, press releases, research, reports, signs and similar public notices prepared by or for either Party, identifying either Party receiving goods or services under this Agreement. AII created material and work product shall be the property of Rockdale County and all files will be released upon completions of the contract. 13. Governing Law and Venue This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia. Venue shall be in any court of competent jurisdiction in Rockdale County, Georgia. 15, Insurance Contractor shall maintain insurance throughout the term of this Agreement that is consistent with industry standards. 16. Counterparts This Agreement shall be fully executed when each Party whose signature is required has signed at least one counterpart, even though no one counterpart contains all of the signatures of all the Parties to this Agreement. A scanned and/or photocopy of this document carries the same validity of an original agreement, 4 Contract No. 2025 - 17. Amendment This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by agreement in writing signed by the Parties hereto. 18. Exhibits All exhibits attached to this Agreement are incorporated by reference into and made a part of this Agreement. 19. Severability Ifany provision of this Agreement is held as a matter of law to be unenforceable or illegal, the remainder of the agreement shall be enforceable without such provision. 20. Entire Agreement The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the County and Consultant and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or understanding among the Parties pertaining to the same subject matter, The County and Consultant affirm that the only consideration for their agreement to execute, and their execution of the Agreement, are the terms as stated herein, and that there are no other promises or agreement of any kind which have caused them to execute this Agreement. This Agreement and the covenants and conditions contained herein shall be binding upon and in use to the benefit of each of the Parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns and successors in title. The Parties further acknowledge that they fully understand the meaning and intent of this Agreement, including but not limited to its binding effect. The Parties acknowledge that they have had the benefit of consulting an attorney before executing this Agreement. 21. Payment Terms County shall pay Consultant $8,000 monthly after receipt of monthly invoice. Billing will be every thirty (30) days. 5 Contract No. 2025 - Wherefore, the Parties, having read and understood the terms of this agreement, do hereby agree to such terms by execution of their signatures below. GEORGIA, STRATEGY GROUP ROCKDADE ÇOUNTY, GEARGIA By: By: MA erge biez Ja/yice Van Ness, Chair and CEO CEO Georgia Strategy Group 83-3763515 Federpilax L.D. Number A Attest: Altest: oppekel K-lde ennifer Ratiedge, Director/Count Clerk ApptovedAs to der Bic M. Qader A. Baig, County Attorey 6 Contract No. 2025 - Exhibit A EXHIBIT A Work Plan for Public Relations and Marketing Consultant Serves as county spokesperson to the media when directed to do so; has daily contact with local reporters about a variety ofissues; writes and issues press advisories, reviews official statements oft the Chairman and Board of Commissioners. Reviews all requests from the media and the public for information under Georgia Open Records Law and handesappropriately. Directs county public education, outreach, open meetings, marketing and branding efforts; writes and reviews all printed materials including press releases, brochures and newsletters to be mass disseminated to public and media; plans and directs special events, town hall meetings and citizen involvement programs; oversees content and operation of government access channel. Manages the planning, administering and monitoring the County's communications program. Represents the County at meetings of civic and community groups; facilitates meetings upon request. Develops and/or reviews information for the County's website and works in conjunction with consultant to manage the County's website. Public relations and marketing initiatives desired by the Board of Commissioners may include but are not limited to: SB238 Response and Outreach Biolab Update to Community Update on HB581 Changes and Impact to the Community Publicity on newi initiatives BOC is implementing Marketing Sigman Road Property Judicial & Administratiye Complex PR Coordination with contractor Update County Branding Pabliciza/Highlight new citizen committees & members o KCRB; Water, Sewer & Stormwater; County Planning Commission; LEOP; etc. Publicize/Highlight new Directors/new Officials SPLOST Update Transportation Updates Economic Development Updates High School Graduate Spotlights 7 Contract No. 2025 - Healthy Options in the County County Magazine Human interest Stories Promote Costley Mill Marketing to increase exposure and revenue Business Marketing First Responder Intros - link to apply for the team Sports Program Spotlight Promote Proclamation Days Sharing BOC: meeting good news Work on Upcoming Town Halls for June, July, August = different locations Restart Citizens Govermment Academy Assess Departmental Positions & Structure and provide written recommendations Create a strategic marketing plan for the County Strengthen relationships with community members and organizations through planning, organizing and scheduling regular engagement activities. Reporting and Accountability The Public Relations and Marketing Consultant will: Work in coordination with the Chief Operating Officer and report to the Chair & CEO. Provide monthly updates on progress. Participate in weekly (or as needed) strategy meetings to align efforts with organizational priorities. Maintain documentation of all activities and present detailed reports as required. 8