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

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners convened for its Regular Business Meeting on February 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included presentations, public comments, a consent agenda, and several regular agenda items focused on budget amendments, intergovernmental agreements, board appointments, and a resolution to establish a budget committee. Key discussions centered on funding for the Sheriff's Office, transparency regarding its finances, and changes to the budget process.

Presentations & Proclamations

• The Board recognized Stephanie McRae as Veteran of the Month for her Army service and community contributions.
• Proclamations were issued for National Library Week (April 6–12, 2025), the Morrow Civic Women's Club (for library advocacy), the Youth Commission Class of 2024–2025, and Miss Daniella Taiwo for the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards.
• The Clayton County Police Department received its 5th Certificate of Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), effective July 31, 2024, for a four-year term.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oretha Ansley (District 3, Hampton): Expressed concerns about the ethics officer vacancy and lack of independent ethics legislation enforcement, stating the ethics board is not operational and that BOC members have been unresponsive to inquiries.
• Cornell Madison (District 4): Called for a forensic audit of the Sheriff's Office budget, alleging excessive overtime and salaries, and urged the Board to cut non-essential spending (e.g., events, vehicles) to fund deputy pay.
• Rhonda Ashley (District 3): Urged the Board to place a homestead exemption increase (from $10,000 to $15,000) on the 2026 ballot to address inflated property tax appraisals caused by predatory investors.
• David Hamrick (District 3): Corrected public statements about state revenue, noted a 3.1% wage increase in Georgia vs. 2.6% nationally, encouraged filing state taxes to receive rebates, and proposed earmarking $14M for hiring part-time probationary employees at the jail.
• Mickey Garber (Unincorporated, Rex): Opposed reducing the county's reserve fund from 4–6 months to 2–3 months, stating it is fiscally unsound.
• Dr. Henry Anderson (Hampton): Continued a multi-meeting evaluation of Board members' leadership competencies and outlined criteria for grading their performance.
• Tanya Jean Funny (District 3): Questioned repeated budget overruns by the Sheriff's Office (citing $3.6M in 2023, $14.8M+$1.6M in 2024), requested an audit and suggested funds be paid based on receipts.
• Orlando Gooden (District 3): Criticized late production of meeting agendas, defended the Sheriff's budget requests, and argued the public should demand accountability from all county officials.
• Jean-Pierre Bourget (District 4, Development Authority member): Provided an educational overview of economic development, urging the community to attend Development Authority meetings and asking about housing, food access, jobs, and environmental impacts of projects.
• Dwayne Jones (District 1): Opposed a truck repair facility on Grant Road/Williamson Road, citing safety hazards from large trucks endangering pedestrians and children; requested follow-up with county staff.

Discussion Items

Item #7 – Budget Amendment 2-28 (Sheriff's Office Funding) This item was moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda. The Finance Department projected the Sheriff's Office would need $14,676,303 through the end of the fiscal year (April–June) for salaries, overtime, benefits, contracts, and operating expenses. Chairwoman Anderson-Henry moved to provide only $7 million, conditioned on an internal audit and receipt of the Sheriff's Office's unaudited 2024 financial records (bank accounts not under Finance control). Commissioner Hambrick seconded, and after extensive debate:

• Finance Director Angela confirmed the Sheriff's monthly spend is $5.71 million, and $1.6 million in invoices are already held; the $7 million covers April plus those invoices.
• Commissioners discussed the Sheriff's history of budget overruns, staffing levels, and refusal to turn over bank accounts to external auditors, which jeopardizes state grants and the county's bond rating.
• The motion was amended to direct the internal audit department to conduct an audit (rather than a forensic audit) and to demand the 2024 audit documents from the Sheriff.
• Vote: 3 ayes, 1 no, 1 abstention. Motion passed.

Item #13 – Resolution 2025-61 (Intergovernmental Agreement with Jonesboro) Authorized the Tax Commissioner to collect ad valorem taxes for the City of Jonesboro for a 50-year term. Passed unanimously.

Item #15 – Resolution 2025-63 (Budget Committee Establishment) The resolution expanded the initial budget preparation process from the Chair alone to the Chair and Vice Chair (a rotating position). Commissioners debated whether the Chair had been removed from the role previously. Several commissioners stated they would not serve. The resolution passed, but Chairwoman Anderson-Henry declared she would not participate.

Item #16 – Resolution 2025-64 (Removal from Parks & Recreation Advisory Board) Ordered the removal of Carlos Frazier from the advisory board. Passed.

Item #17 – Appointment to Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Appointed Tamika Fortney Reed to fill the vacancy. Passed.

Items #18–21 – MARTA Citizens Advisory Board Appointments

• Appointed Rochelle Osburn (District 3). Passed.
• Appointed Louise Hunter (District 3). Passed.
• Items #20 and #21 (District 1 appointments) were tabled to the May 6, 2026 meeting.
• Item #22 (Chair's appointment) was tabled to the next meeting.

Executive Session The Board entered executive session for litigation and personnel matters, then reconvened and adjourned at approximately 8:39 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Amendment 2-28: Approved $7,000,000 for the Sheriff's Office (instead of the requested $14,676,303), subject to completion of an internal audit and receipt of the Sheriff's Office's 2024 audited financial statements. Sheriff must come back for additional funds.
• Intergovernmental Agreement with Jonesboro: Approved for 50-year tax collection.
• Budget Committee Resolution: Passed, establishing a budget committee composed of the Chair and Vice Chair (or designee) to assist the Budget Officer. Chairwoman recused herself.
• Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: Carlos Frazier removed; Tamika Fortney Reed appointed.
• MARTA Citizens Advisory Board: Two appointments made; two tabled to future meetings.
• Audit Demand: Board formally requested the Sheriff's Office release all bank account records for the 2024 external audit to avoid a finding and preserve grant eligibility.