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

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate this meeting occurred on November 5, 2024, but the provided date is February 12, 2026. This summary uses the provided date.

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a veteran recognition, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, and two major items pulled for separate discussion: a Community Improvement Tax Program ordinance and a resolution for an automated transit network pilot. The board also entered executive session for real estate and litigation, later approving property purchases, settlements, and appointments.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Veteran of the Month: Retired Sergeant First Class Herman Drew Andrews was honored for his 21 years of U.S. Army service, humanitarian missions, and post-retirement community advocacy in Clayton County.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Teresa Talley (District 3, Hampton, GA) complained about illegal signage on utility poles, stop signs, and trees, citing a Georgia law (Code 32-6-51). She also asked when the Defects Office on Battle Creek would reopen, noting that Google lists it as open but it has been closed for months. The board responded that code enforcement has been actively removing signs (148 signs removed the previous Friday) and will continue weekly, though some vendors prefer to pay fines rather than remove signs. The Defects Office issue was referred to state representatives.
• Mickey Garber (unincorporated Rex, GA) spoke in favor of the county’s efforts on derelict properties and urged the board to require landlords to provide garbage service for rental properties, noting that 41% of county homes are rentals. He argued that tenants often cannot afford garbage service, leading to roadside litter.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the consent agenda unanimously, which included:
  • Approval of October 15, 2024 board minutes.
  • Contract amendments for IT products (Cisco, Webex, etc.), surplus vehicle sales, tire recycling services, attorney services for the Public Defender’s Office, Gartner advisor services, cybersecurity email security system, and sprinkler system repairs.
  • Budget amendments for the Board of Commissioners and Fire Department.
  • A zoning refund.
  • Ordinance 2024-253 (Community Improvement Tax Program) and Resolutions 2024-255, 2024-257, 2024-258, 2024-259, 2024-260 (discussed separately below).

Discussion Items

Item 12 – Ordinance 2024-253: Community Improvement Tax Program

• Chief Staff Attorney Charles Reed presented the ordinance, which amends Chapter 90 (Taxation) to add Article IV for a Community Improvement Tax Program. Following prior board discussion, two changes were made: (1) removal of the incentive that would have offered a lower tax rate for compliant properties, so the rate reverts to the standard rate; (2) clarification that the program does not apply to owner-occupied dwellings. The ordinance was approved unanimously.

Item 13 – Resolution 2024-255: Automated Transit Network (ATN) Investigation & Implementation Study

• Crystal Harris (Program Director, ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts) and Sherman Turner (MARTA) presented the resolution, which authorizes Clayton County to enter into a First Amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement for an automated transit network pilot. The pilot will be constructed at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) campus, connecting the SkyTrain, a pedestrian bridge, and the arena. It will be free for two years, funded by MARTA’s core penny “state of good repair” fund (not Clayton County sales tax). The pilot is intended to gather data and let citizens experience the technology, with potential future expansion to serve last-mile transit in South Metro.
• Commissioner Davis asked about benefits to Clayton County residents. Harris explained that the pilot provides an opportunity to learn about the technology, and the feasibility study will inform future expansion that could include Clayton County. Turner clarified that the pilot is located partly in Clayton County on the GICC campus. The project governance committee includes elected officials from participating jurisdictions. The technology provider is Glideways (California).
• The board voted 3-1 in favor of the resolution.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session: The board voted unanimously to enter executive session for real estate, litigation, and personnel matters.
• After Executive Session – Approvals:
  • Property Purchases:
    • 0 Geneva Street, Atlanta, GA – $59,161.
    • 0 Blaylock Street, Hapeville, GA – $147,428.47.
  • Settlement Agreements:
    • LaShonda Baker v. Sheriff Lavon Allen (official capacity) – $75,000.
    • Norris Moss v. Sheriff Lavon Allen (official capacity) – $80,000 (terminated July 2019).
    • Gloria Mayo v. Sheriff Lavon Allen (official capacity) – $25,000 (terminated July 2019).
  • Appointment: Marty Fox as Interim Director of Building and Maintenance (Grade 38, Step 9, base salary $125,340; total cost with benefits $169,800).
  • Appointment: Charleston Williamson as Staff Attorney at an elevated rate of $137,395 (retroactive to February 11, 2026), resulting in a cost savings of $40,743 compared to a senior-level position.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned with a note of “Happy election night.”