Clayton County Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting – February 12, 2026

The Board of Commissioners held a special called meeting on February 12, 2026, primarily to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The meeting included public comments on public safety and library services, a consent agenda approval, a detailed budget presentation, and a vote on budget amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved a cooperative purchase (CP #25-21) for furniture, fixtures, and equipment for Fire Stations #1, #9, and #15 (Fire Department).
• Approved a statewide contract purchase (SWC #25-82) for leasing 400 Lenovo ThinkPads for Information Technology.
• Approved an award (SS #25-91) for subscription and training services for Collection HQ software.
• Approved a statewide contract purchase (SWC #25-102) for furniture for Clayton County Juvenile Courts.
• Approved a cooperative purchase (CP #25-83) for 200 HP EliteBook notebooks for Information Technology.
• Commissioner Reeves questioned the late addition of these items to the special called meeting agenda, noting commissioners had only 24 hours' notice. Central Services explained the items were added to meet fiscal year deadlines, and funding had already been encumbered. The consent agenda passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fire Chief Tim Sweat requested reconsideration of the FY26 EMS budget to add a 15th full-time transport unit (Med 12) at Station 12 in District 3, at a cost of $1,595,802. He cited a 15.5% call volume increase from 2018 to 2024, the addition of 8,094 new residential properties, and an estimated 23,201 new residents. He noted that 2024 saw the first call volume decrease in a decade due to the 4C team, but capacity remains strained.
• Pat Sebow (Board Chair, Unite for Literacy) expressed concern over potential closure of two libraries, stating that Clayton County is a "book desert" below state and national averages for book access. The Chair clarified during the meeting that no library closures are planned.
• Mickey Garber (Unincorporated Rex, GA) emphasized the importance of public safety across all departments, including courts, for moving the county forward.
• Orlando Gooden (District 3) prioritized public safety, code enforcement, and criticized "idiot projects" (e.g., sports council) and consultant contracts with poor termination clauses. He urged focus on the development authority and expressed frustration with board priorities.

Discussion Items

• Budget Presentation: Interim CFO Angela Jackson presented the FY26 proposed general fund budget of $335 million, a 6% increase over the FY25 adopted budget and a 3% decrease from the FY25 amended budget. Revenues are largely from property taxes (63.7%). Expenses: courts and law enforcement (37%), general government (30%), public safety (21%), transportation/development (2%), library services (1%), parks and senior services (5%). Budget requests totaled $409.6 million, requiring $74.6 million in reductions. Enhancements include 39 sheriff’s correctional officers (reduced later by amendment), salary adjustments (3.75% for those below $55k, 2.5% for $55k–$80k, 1.25% above $80k), and $900,000 in local assistance grants. Capital projects (SPLOST-funded) include fire stations, parks, trails, and an amphitheater. The proposed net millage rate is 15.126 mills, down from 15.266, which still requires advertising a tax increase because it exceeds the rollback rate.
• Five Budget Amendments: CFO Jackson outlined five amendments for commissioners to consider:
  • Amendment 1: Adds Superior Court clerks and coordinator ($184,746), reduces correctional officers from 39 to 36 (savings $225,288), increases sheriff overtime ($40,542). Balanced.
  • Amendment 2: Reduces travel for chair and commissioners ($25,000), reduces communications advertising ($75,000), reduces COO travel/dues ($40,660/$860), reclassifies fiduciary clerks, HR director salary, and adds funds for public defender, juvenile court. Maintains $335M budget.
  • Amendment 3: Reduces sheriff part-time salaries, jail medical fees, transport, supplies, group insurance, contract services; deletes 36 correctional officers; moves budget analyst; adds clerk of superior court position; increases ethics board supplies; reclassifies HR director; adds food/dietary for commissioners; rolls taxes back to rollback rate, reducing budget to $325 million.
  • Amendment 4: Reduces local assistance grants by $120,000, increases land improvements for flooding. Maintains $335M.
  • Amendment 5: Deletes multiple positions (office manager, communications staff, etc.) and reduces various expenses across departments, reclassifies positions in probate, transportation, fleet, parks, solicitor’s office. Maintains $335M.
• Commissioner Discussion: Commissioner Reeves questioned the budget process, noting commissioners had only two weeks to review the budget and 24 hours for amendments. She expressed frustration at the lack of detailed comparison between original requests and final cuts. Commissioner Allen asked if there was a $10 million shortfall; CFO clarified that at the proposed millage rate (15.266 mills) there is no shortfall, but a rollback would create a $9.8 million shortfall. Commissioner Davis advocated for a mid-year review to reallocate funds as needed. The Chair made a motion to adopt resolution 2025-132 with amendments 1, 3, and 4.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Adopt Budget: The motion to adopt the FY26 budget via Resolution 2025-132, incorporating amendments 1, 3, and 4, passed with a majority vote. Commissioner Allen abstained. This action sets the millage rate to the rollback rate (15.126 mills), avoiding an advertised tax increase, and reduces the general fund budget to $325 million (as per Amendment 3). The adopted budget includes reduced positions, partial funding for EMS expansion (not the full request), and a salary adjustment plan.
• Executive Session: The board voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss personnel and litigation.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after executive session.
• Clarification: The Chair confirmed that no library closures are planned, addressing public testimony concerns.