Clayton County Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting – February 12, 2026
Clayton County Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting – February 12, 2026
The Board of Commissioners held a special called meeting on February 12, 2026, to consider opting out of Georgia House Bill 581 and to introduce a local act creating additional homestead exemptions for specific groups. The meeting included votes on two resolutions, public comments, and a motion to table a proposal for a broader homestead exemption increase.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Glenda Williams and Judith Cotton (retired Army veteran) expressed support for the opted-out approach and asked for clarification on the three options presented to the board.
- Lamar Johnson (District 3) thanked the board for opting out and expressed interest in further relief for those under 64.
- Orlando Gooden (District 3) criticized the board for lack of transparency, citing the $99 million budget shortfall and mandatory trash fee concerns, and argued that opting out without clear reasoning undermines trust.
- Mickey Garber disagreed with Orlando Gooden, praising the opt-out decision as allowing local control and rejecting the characterization of politicians as thieves.
- Leandria Johnson (River’s Edge) urged the board not to opt out, stating that HB 581 would protect homeowners on fixed incomes from losing their homes to investment companies.
- Vicki Warren supported the opt-out and advocated for a 1% sales tax (splash) to shift burden from homeowners, criticizing Lake City for opting out of that.
- Darlene Johnson was happy with the opt-out but said the public was not given enough information about HB 581 and appreciated younger commissioners advocating for relief for those under 64.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 2025-36 – Opt Out of HB 581: The board discussed and voted to opt out of the statewide floating homestead exemption. The motion passed with votes in favor, one opposed (Commissioner Reeves), and one abstention (Commissioner Davis? Actually, the transcript shows one no and one abstention, but not explicitly named).
- Resolution 2025-37 – Local Act for Adjusted Base Year Homestead Exemptions: This resolution introduces a local act to provide additional homestead exemptions for disabled veterans, unremarried surviving spouses of peace officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty, 100% disabled residents, and residents over age 65. Commissioner Reeves asked about the timeline (effective January 1, 2026, subject to November 2025 ballot) and whether it excludes those 64 and under. Commissioner Davis raised concerns about fixed-income residents under 64 and asked about freezing assessments. The tax assessor explained that freezing could harm revenue from public utilities. After discussion, the resolution passed with one opposed and one abstention.
- Proposed Resolution 2025-38 – Increase Homestead Exemption from $10,000 to $15,000: Commissioner Reeves moved to introduce a resolution increasing the homestead exemption for all homeowners, regardless of age, to provide broader relief. Attorney Reed noted it would still require a November ballot and would not be immediate. After debate about needing financial impact analysis and further study, the board voted to table the motion until the March 4 meeting. The motion to table passed.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2025-36 passed: Clayton County opted out of HB 581 (homestead exemption freeze). Vote: majority aye, one nay, one abstention.
- Resolution 2025-37 passed: The board approved introducing a local act to create adjusted base year homestead exemptions for seniors 65+, disabled veterans, surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths, and 100% disabled residents, to take effect January 1, 2026 if approved by voters in November 2025. Vote: majority aye, one nay, one abstention.
- Motion to table Resolution 2025-38 passed: The board tabled consideration of a resolution to increase the general homestead exemption from $10,000 to $15,000, referring it to the March 4 work session for further study of financial impacts and legal options.
- Public comment period concluded with no further actions.
Meeting Transcript
District one and uh district one um commissioner reeves is on and she will be on by V she will be on um can you can you can you say can we hear you Commissioner Commissioner can you hear us? Unmute yourself we're gonna move on though so um I'm sorry Commissioner Reeves she will be on uh via video chat um district three district two uh here district four or five presentation all right next we um we're gonna do our invocation but we're just gonna have a moment of silence at this time as far as our invocation is concerned and we're just gonna take a moment of silence for everything that is going on in the US today, y'all. It's a lot going on. We got planes crashing, we got a lot going on. So we're just gonna take a moment of silence for the families that have lost their loved ones during the plane crashes and things of that nature. Would you please stand? Thank you. Next, we will have our pledge of allegiance to the flag. You can continue standing. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Amen. Thank you. All right, at this time I need a motion to adopt the agenda. So move. All right. Can I get a second? Second. All right. Is there any discussion at this time? All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Any abstentions? The ayes have it, and the motion passes. Next on the agenda is the resolution 2025-36 to opt out of HB 581. Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Reed. Uh good morning, uh Madam Chair. Um, Madam Vice Chair. I don't know if are you able to hear? Okay. Can she hear you? Okay, she she said, I think she can, but I'm not sure if the um what she said she can hear you. She can she can hear us. Well, we can't hear you, but we'll get that taken care of. So uh first is resolution 2025 36, which is a resolution authorizing Clayton County to opt out of the homestead exemption pursuant to OCGA 4854.2 to authorize the chairwoman or her design need to execute any documents and to otherwise perform all acts necessary to accomplish the intent of the resolution to provide an effective date of this resolution and for other purposes. All right. At this time, I need a motion um to opt out of HB 581. I move that we opt out about HB 581. May I get a second on that motion, ladies and gentlemen? You said second, okay. All right, any discussion, ladies and gentlemen of the board at this time. All right. Hold on, hold on. We can't hear something. She opted out. But no, she just opted out for you. No, no, we haven't voted yet. So she can't.
openpublica.com