Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission Regular Voting Meeting & Budget Hearing - June 2, 2026
Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission Regular Voting Meeting & Budget Hearing - June 2, 2026
The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with two sessions: a special called hearing for the state-required Taxpayer Bill of Rights (budget hearing #2) and the regular voting session. Public input followed a three-minute format with a green/yellow/red light system. The mayor read the civility pledge from the Georgia Municipal Association. Roll call showed four commissioners present initially, later a full quorum of nine.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mary Joyce (Executive Director, Athfest Educates) advocated for increasing the CP Special Events Fund to $500,000, noting Athfest’s $1 million economic impact and rising costs (37% electrical increase, 18% police estimate increase). She cited a community survey with over 300 responses affirming downtown events as essential to Athens’ identity.
- Aline Loza (neighborhood leader) supported continued funding for the Neighborhood Leader Program, emphasizing its role in building trust with the Latina community, which is underrepresented despite economic contributions.
- Shana Bushway (resident, homeowner) opposed property tax increases, stating her taxes rose to $500/month and 50% of her income goes to housing costs. She urged not burdening homeowners further for the courthouse.
- Johanna Gardner (resident) opposed the latest tax increase, noting a friend in a Habitat for Humanity home pays over $4,000/year in property taxes. She called for creative solutions rather than taxing residents out of their homes.
- Fatima Stevens and Gail Daniel (neighborhood leader and Brookside resident) urged saving the Neighborhood Leader Program, highlighting food, diaper delivery, and community events.
- Derek DeSaucier (Family Connect Communities and Schools) advocated against budget cuts, citing the program’s role in mental health, crime reduction, and improved graduation rates.
- Marquia Wekker (Eastside neighborhood leader) shared a story of a domestic violence survivor helped through the program, stressing the need for continued funding.
- Ray Smith (software engineer, Democratic nominee for State Senate District 46) opposed the Flock Safety contract for ALPRs, citing data privacy issues, lack of two-factor authentication, and misuse by employees and law enforcement. He urged cancellation.
- Keegan Brooks (resident) opposed the $150,000 for ALPRs in the budget, listing national concerns: tracking of abortion seekers, First Amendment violations, ICE data sharing, and stalking by police. He noted over 30 cities have canceled Flock contracts since 2020.
- Jennifer Young (resident) argued for immediate removal of Flock cameras, citing ties to Peter Thiel and Palantir, potential for misuse, and integration with federal surveillance networks.
- Later in the meeting, during public input on old/new business:
- Aaron Redman (Athens in Motion Commission) expressed strong support for the staff-recommended four-lane option for the North Avenue Corridor RAISE grant, citing safety concerns, two recent driver fatalities (December 2024, March 2025), and dangerous conditions for pedestrians. He noted the five-lane option would require years of right-of-way acquisition.
- Teresa Friedlander (Vice Chair, Athens in Motion) supported the four-lane option, thanking staff for six years of effort on the $25 million grant.
- John Craven Morris (renter, District 2) told the story of a friend struck and killed on North Avenue in December 2021. He urged prioritizing safety for vulnerable residents over out-of-town visitors for football games.
- Dr. Tawana Smith Maddox (Destin Incorporated) opposed awarding the housing fund administration to Envision Athens, requesting an RFP process. She also asked for a pause on the RAISE grant to allow community meetings in North Athens.
- Scott Long (Executive Director, Bike Athens) presented survey data: 71% of respondents felt unsafe on North Avenue, with concerns about speed, lack of crosswalks, and poor lighting. The majority of respondents use the corridor for walking or transit.
- Jeff Carter (Carter Engineering) presented revised proffered conditions for 4190 Lexington Road rezoning: no buildings south of stream, emergency-only access to Pinecone Place and Merch Lane, and waiver of on-street parking requirement. He noted the property could be developed as-is if rezoning denied.
- Ken Portier (Cedar Creek resident) expressed support for the revised plan as a win-win, though urged long-term sewer line fixes.
- At the end of the meeting, Richard Rose (resident) criticized the police internal affairs unit and the Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board, claiming lack of transparency and unfair complaint handling.
Discussion Items
- Consent Calendar (Items 1-16): Approved unanimously. Included ordinances amending FY2026 budget for GDOT LMIG/LRA grant for road resurfacing and CJCC VAWA grant for a domestic violence prosecutor position.
- Item 17 – 145 Hayward Allen Parkway: Special use approval for ground-floor senior residential in a commercial zone with four variances. Engineer Logan Waters described the project as targeting older full-time residents. Approved unanimously.
- Item 18 – 735 South Midledge Avenue: Special use approval in commercial office district. Approved unanimously.
- Judicial Center Resolution: Public hearing with support from Chief State Court Judge Charles Oslander and Chief Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott, who noted space needs identified 20+ years ago and specialized security requirements. Commission discussion included concerns about the $200 million price tag, funding, and community engagement, especially with First AME Church (oldest African American church downtown). Manager Bob Cowell confirmed meetings with property owners and a June 18 meeting planned. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Item 20 – 4190 Lexington Road Rezoning: After developer’s revised conditions (no stream crossings, emergency-only access, parking waiver), Commissioner Davenport motioned to approve with conditions. Cedar Creek resident Ken Portier supported the plan. The future land use map amendment (to Mixed Density Residential) passed unanimously; the rezoning to RM-1 passed 8-1 (Commissioner Taylor opposed).
- Item 21 – Leisure Services Comprehensive Master Plan: Accepted unanimously, with thanks to staff and new director Kimberly.
- Item 22 – Affordable Housing Fund Administrative Structure: Debate over whether to award administration to Envision Athens (Option 1) or issue an RFP (Option 2). Commissioner Taylor moved to go with Option 2 (RFP). A substitute motion by Commissioner Hamby to approve Option 1 (ABC) failed 3-6. The original motion to pursue Option 2 passed 8-1 (Taylor opposed). Timeline: RFP drafting, 30-45 day publication, evaluation, and contract development likely pushing full implementation to fall 2027. Commissioners cited transparency concerns and need for community trust. Commissioner Link emphasized including representation of lived experience and conflict-of-interest protections in the RFP.
- Item 23 – Public Utilities 2025 Service Delivery Plan Update: Approved unanimously. Commissioner Thornton stressed proactive management of septic tanks in the Sandy Creek Basin, noting environmental urgency.
- Item 24 – North Avenue Corridor RAISE Grant: After debate, the four-lane concept (Option 2) was approved 8-1 (Taylor opposed). The substitute motion for the five-lane concept (Option 1) failed 3-6. Commissioners cited safety data, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to use federal funds for pedestrian improvements. The five-lane option would require additional right-of-way and delay.
- Item 25 – Bailey Street Transportation Project: Held until the August voting meeting to allow property owner outreach coordinated with UGA.
- Item 26 – FY27-28 UGA-ACC Transportation Agreement: Approved unanimously.
- Item 27 – Sculpture Donation for College Square: Accepting a sculpture by Harold Rittenberry, funded by the Coonan family, approved unanimously.
- Item 28 – Designation of Downtown Government Property to Park Property: Approved with amendment to include College Square (Broad to Clayton Street) as a public park. Motion passed unanimously.
- Item 29 – FY27 Budget Adoption: Set for final vote on June 9, 2026. Staff outlined six proposed amendments (salary adjustments, fuel funding, magistrate court part-time judge, tax commissioner request, code enforcement increase, public defender investigator). These will be presented in detail at the June 4 work session.
- Item 30 – Floating Local Option Sales Tax (F-LOST) Resolution: Set for vote on June 9. The resolution would place on the November ballot a 1% sales tax to reduce property taxes. Discussion included need for public education and impact on non-property owners. Commissioner Fisher expressed reservation about increasing sales tax to 9% and impact on low-income residents.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- 145 Hayward Allen Parkway special use and variances approved unanimously.
- 735 South Midledge Avenue special use approved unanimously.
- Judicial center resolution approved unanimously; design and community engagement process to continue.
- 4190 Lexington Road rezoning approved 8-1 with developer-proffered conditions.
- Leisure Services Master Plan accepted.
- Affordable Housing Fund administration to proceed via RFP process (8-1); timeline extends to fall 2027.
- Public Utilities Service Delivery Plan approved.
- North Avenue Corridor RAISE grant: four-lane option approved 8-1.
- Bailey Street project held until August.
- UGA transportation agreement approved.
- Harold Rittenberry sculpture donation accepted.
- College Square and government block designated parks.
- Budget adoption and F-LOST resolution set for June 9 vote.
- Three assignments to Planning Commission (inclusionary zoning payment-in-lieu, commercial height increases, density transfer in downtown) referred to commission after procedural clarification.
- Manager acknowledged May employee recognition (public works, law enforcement, clerks).
Meeting Transcript
It is good to have you here tonight. It is Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, and we have uh two sessions this evening. Uh, and I will describe public input on both of those. We have a special called session for our state required taxpayer bill of rights hearing number two, and then we have our regular voting meeting as well. Uh public input on the taxpayer bill of rights hearing on the consent agenda on old and new business on our zoning items, and then at the conclusion of the evening, uh all effectively follow the same format. Um there will be an opportunity each time public input is called for a three-minute opportunity for public input. Uh, you see the fancy light in front of Clerk Howard. It will turn green when your three minutes begins, uh, with you uh giving us your name and place of residence. It will turn yellow when you have 30 seconds remaining, and it will turn red when your three minutes is concluded. And I'll thank you for your time with us tonight so we can move on to some other folks. Um so we need to go ahead and begin with a roll call from Clerk Howard. Taylor, here, all right, President Fisher, Johnson, Culpepper, here. We have the four. Alright, thank you, ma'am. Clerk. All right, I'll uh read our civility pledge provided to us by the Georgia Municipal Association, uh, which indicates that the way we govern ourselves is often as important as the positions we take, that our collective decisions will be better when different views have had the opportunity to be fully vetted and considered, that all people have the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, and openness, that we value all input, and we commit to conduct ourselves at all times with civility and courtesy to each other. Uh so with that said, uh the proposed budget for FY27 uh has been in front of the public for a number of weeks, and so we provide three opportunities for public input on the budget leading up to final approval of the budget, which will be a week from tonight, Tuesday the ninth. So if anybody would like to speak to the proposed FY27 budget uh from the public, now is that time you can line right up at the podium and again just provide your name and place of residence. And uh if you slide the card in that slot, it'll get taken care of. Good evening. Hi, my name's Mary Joyce. Um, I live at twelve oh five Townsquare Court here in Athens. Um, I am speaking on the budget agenda item 29. I'm the executive director for Athfest Educates. Um, we put on the Athens Music and Arts Festival and the Ath Half Half Marathon, raising funds for youth arts education in town. And I am advocating for an increase in the funding from the CP special events fund. I am advocating for an increase to 500,000. Um that amount would still be less than five dollars per resident for all of the incredible downtown events that happen. Um, advocating for that whether through this budget process or an additional one cent added to hotel motel tax, like many other Georgia counties have done. I want to thank all of the commissioners and mayor mayor that were involved in the most recent increase in 2024 and the increase proposed in the current proposal for budget. But I'm pushing for more. Downtown events are critical to our culture and our economy. We sent out a special events kind of survey to the community, getting over 300 responses, all dominated by comments that are downtown events are what makes Athens Athens. They're why people choose to move here, stay here, and build lives here. They're why I did all three of those things. Athfest, just itself, the music and arts festival has an overall economic impact of close to a million dollars. An estimated 42,000 of that goes straight to local government revenue. There are economic and political factors at play right now that are putting pressure on events. So economically, increased costs for production. Just as an example for Athfest, electrical services increased 37% from 2024 to 2025. We just got our ACC police department estimate for 2026. It's up 18% from 2025 and 54% from 2024. Our local businesses are so generous and sponsor all of our events, but they are feeling the economic pressure as well. So corporate sponsorship is down due to inflation, rising gas prices, everything that everyone is dealing with right now. Politically, federal and state arts funding is harder to get. Last year we had an NEA National Endowment for the Arts grant for $35,000, which was fantastic. Except for it was pulled at the last minute in April. We had already signed contracts, we had to eat that loss. It's not likely we'll get that funding again under the current administration. To keep our iconic Athens events vibrant and sustainable, it's critical that the city invest.
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