Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting – February 12, 2026

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting on February 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included roll call, adoption of the agenda, presentations (Veteran of the Month and a proclamation for Senator Valencia Seay), a public comment period, approval of the consent agenda, board appointments, the first of three public hearings on House Bill 581, an executive session for litigation, approval of a settlement agreement, and adjournment.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the January 29, 2025 Regular Business Meeting Minutes.
• Recommendation for Award: RFP #24-139 Food Concession Services at Spivey Splash Waterpark.
• Recommendation for Contract Approval: Lighting Service Agreements for Clayton County.
• Recommendation for Award: ITB #24-150 Fiber Optic Cabling Annual Contract.
• Request for Ratification: EP #25-17 Fire Alarm System Replacement for the Justice Complex (emergency purchase, not competitively bid due to health/safety threat; cost $1,192,352).
• Budget Amendments 2-17, 2-18, 2-19, 4-14, 4-15.
• Paralegal Classification – Central Services: The total cost of $79,173 includes benefits; actual salary is $55,510, competitive for the region.
• Ordinance 2025-16: Amending the Public Employee Retirement System pension buyback terms.
• Resolution 2025-19: Accepting FEMA disaster recovery funds for COVID-19 direct administrative costs.
• Resolution 2025-20 & 2025-21: Memoranda of Agreement with the Clayton County Health District for fitness initiatives at Lake Spivey and South Clayton Recreation Centers.
• Resolution 2025-22: Authorizing sale of unclaimed firearms through auction to licensed dealers as required by Georgia law (OCGA 17-5-54).
• Resolution 2025-23: Executing the Title V Permit Annual Compliance Certification for the Lovejoy Landfill.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ms. Ray (unincorporated Hampton) thanked Chairwoman for balanced consideration of HB 581 and urged looking at benefits to taxpayers.
• Dr. Henry Anderson (unincorporated Clayton County) presented a numerical scoring system for commissioner performance, to be applied at future meetings.
• Orlando Gooden (District 3) questioned the purchase of a new 2025 Denali for the chair, criticized mandatory trash pickup as adding an $11 monthly fee, and asked about the status of a $500,000 lawsuit with Roman United.
• Dr. Sean Council (unincorporated Clayton County) questioned the $1.19 million fire alarm expenditure (not competitively bid) and the $79,173 paralegal position (including benefits), arguing the salary is excessive compared to public defenders. He also opposed opting out of HB 581, stating his property taxes rose 450% in ten years.
• Freddie Edenfield (Lake Spivey area) criticized a past 47% property tax increase, opposed opting out of HB 581, and warned of recall if the board does not provide tax certainty.
• Barbara Seymour (unincorporated Riverdale) asked whether commissioner positions are salaried, whether citizens vote on HB 581, and who purchases the sold firearms (referred to police chief for explanation).
• Carol Yancy (Rex, Georgia) praised Commissioner Allen for raising standards and criticized other commissioners for lack of town halls.
• Larry Trask (Bonanza subdivision, resident since 1969) asked if current homestead exemptions would be grandfathered and whether residents get to vote on opting out.
• Teresa Talley (District 3) complained about lack of accountability for code enforcement, illegal sign placement, and mandatory trash pickup not solving litter.
• David Hammer (District 3) urged budgeting and expense review, noting insurance cost increases (auto, home) and that 64,600 Clayton County residents voted for HB 581.
• During the public hearing on HB 581:
  • Jim Hellorin (unincorporated Jonesboro) supported opting out, arguing that opting in would limit growth and hurt emergency services.
  • Chris Gallagher supported opting in, citing elderly residents struggling with rising taxes, food, and insurance costs.
  • Carol Yancey again spoke, criticizing county fiscal mismanagement, lack of transparency, and citing examples of excessive spending (SUVs, inauguration costs, lawsuits). She proposed raising revenue through airport land lease and other measures.
  • Jerome Coleman (unincorporated Jonesboro) expressed distrust, noting his taxes rose $5,400 in five years, and argued that voters already approved HB 581 and the county should opt in.
  • Rhonda Ashley (Hampton, District 3) supported opting in to cap increases at inflation, questioned past assessment practices, and demanded the county make homeowners whole for overpaid taxes.
  • Stella Goring (Riverdale) prayed for the board and expressed confusion over the opt-out decision.
  • Karen Rawls (unincorporated Ellenwood) criticized lack of transparency, noted estimated tax assessments differing from actual bills, and questioned where tax money is spent (roads, schools). She stated distrust of the board.

Discussion Items

• HB 581 Public Hearing (First of Three): Interim CFO Stacey Merritt presented financial projections, stating that if the county opts into the floating homestead exemption, the opportunity cost (lost revenue) is estimated at $1.9 million in FY26, $4.0 million in FY27, and $6.3 million in FY28 for the general fund. Fire Chief Sweat projected fire fund losses of $0.5 million, $1.041 million, and $1.6 million over the same period. He explained that absorbing the $0.5 million loss would require shutting down two pieces of fire apparatus daily; $1.041 million would close two fire stations daily; and $1.6 million would close three stations daily. Financial advisor Ed Wall explained that HB 581 caps assessed value increases for homesteaded properties at inflation (CPI), with the difference added to the homestead exemption. He provided examples: a $250,000 home would save about $146 in combined general and fire taxes; a $500,000 home would save $291; a $750,000 home would save $437, assuming millage rates stay constant. He noted that if any city in Clayton County opts out, the floating exemption is unavailable. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about CPI, assessment frequency, school board opt-out, and the possibility of legislative changes (House Bill 92 extending the opt-out deadline and another bill force-opt-in).
• Board Appointments:
  • Board of Health: Appointed LaTasha Clemens (term expires 2029).
  • Board of Elections and Registration: Reappointed Carol Wesley (term expires 2028).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (motion and second, no objections).
• Board Appointments: Both appointments approved unanimously.
• HB 581 Public Hearing: No decision made; the first of three required hearings was held, with the board to consider public input before a final decision (deadline March 1, 2026, unless extended).
• Executive Session: Approved for litigation only (motion carried).
• Settlement Agreement: Approved settlement of $25,000 for a claim related to an altercation at the jail (July 15, 2023). Commissioner Davis abstained, reason stated: “Abstention.”
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion passed unanimously.