Fulton is going $144,000 cheaper on a workforce study, the county's first job classification and compensation study since 1997. Last month, Commissioner Liz Hausmann balked at paying more than a half million dollars when there were cheaper options, but that wasn't the reason for the change.

The commission nixed the deal with winning bidder Buck Consultants because negotiations broke down over a contract provision involving the county's liability. Instead, Fulton will hire the next-top ranked bidder, The Archer Company, from Conyers, for $392,860. The study will look at salaries, job descriptions and performance evaluations, and recommend changes.