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

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held a regular business meeting on February 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public comment, consent agenda approval, regular agenda items, board appointments, and the appointment of a new fire chief. Several actions were taken, including the adoption of emergency resolutions to assist municipalities with radar permit renewals and to expedite a fire station construction. A motion to table an ordinance amendment failed, and the ordinance itself was voted down.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Veteran of the Month: Staff Sergeant Cheryl L. Ellis was honored for her service in the Air Force Reserve and Air Force, including deployments and roles as a logistics specialist and military training manager.
• Proclamation – Sonna Singleton Gregory Day: The board declared January 7th (the late commissioner’s birthday) as Sonna Singleton Gregory Day in Clayton County, honoring her legacy as a trailblazer, advocate for literacy, homelessness, mental illness, and ovarian cancer awareness.
• Proclamation – Louise Davis, 2024 Flint River Youth of the Year: Louise Davis, a 16-year-old junior at Mundy Mill High School and 11-year member of the Boys & Girls Club, was recognized for academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
• Proclamation – Tiana Lynch, 2025 Junior Youth of the Year: Tiana Lynch, representing the Flint River Community Center Boys & Girls Club, was honored for her resilience, discipline, and leadership in swimming and JROTC.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Orlando Gooding (District 3): Praised Police Chief Kevin Roberts for a 23% decrease in crime. Criticized board members for hypocrisy, lack of transparency, and a prior military tax increase due to waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Gwen Gooding (Clayton County): Questioned the chairwoman’s reported request for $150,000 for a new vehicle and 24/7 security, stating that such spending contradicts promises of transparency and saving money.
• Terry Farr (District 3): Described persistent flooding on her property due to infrastructure issues, noting her home’s value dropped while new developments sell for $300,000. She requested resolution and mentioned previous communications with officials.
• Darlene Johnson (Rex, Georgia): Requested moratoriums on new gas stations, car washes, and expansions of trailer parks and dollar stores. She also urged a no vote on a company associated with Wade Starr, wanting to move forward rather than backward.
• Timothy Vondale Jefferson (25-year resident): Expressed support for the chairwoman’s “three C’s” (communication, collaboration, consistency) and emphasized the need to build intentional relationships across the community.
• Carol Yancey (Rex, Georgia): Criticized elected officials for prioritizing status over citizens; suggested a transportation subsidy for directors living outside the county to save an estimated $3 million. Also complained about unprofessional conduct from officials.
• David Hamrick (District 3): Cited Atlanta Journal-Constitution data showing a 37% rent increase in Clayton County over five years (smallest among core metro counties) and 56% of local renters cost-burdened. Urged fiscal responsibility following President Carter’s example, avoiding extra spending given flat revenues and rising utility costs.
• Teresa Talley (unstated district): Reported illegal signs on utility poles (over 1,000 counted) and asked for stronger code enforcement. She noted that one sign promoter refused to remove signs when told.
• Mickey Garber (Rex, Georgia): Advocated for multi-story housing developments (like Buckhead) to conserve open land and for renovation of abandoned properties to enhance county attractiveness and tax base.
• Chris Gallagher (Clayton County): Raised concerns about excessive business signs near the new River’s Edge trail, aggressive dogs off-leash leaving feces, and one homeowner dumping waste into Lake Brittany.

Discussion Items

• Consent Agenda: Approved with additions of two emergency resolutions (2025-10 authorizing municipalities to use county’s FCC license for speed detection permits, and 2025-11 authorizing an easement to Georgia Power for fire station construction). Items included approval of December 17, 2024 minutes; insurance brokerage services (RFP #23-14 and later a duplicate item); contract amendment for Battle Creek Road/Mt. Zion widening; name change for OMR scanner purchase; planning & zoning consulting contract amendment; purchase of a John Deere track loader; FY25 Magistrate Court budget amendment; monthly settlement report; and several resolutions on depositories, check signing authority, grant acceptance, removal of Rich Mahon from Development Authority, and forfeiture vehicle acceptance.
• PSA #24-225 Financial Services Contract: Awarded to Piper Sandler and Company (Minneapolis, MN) at $250 per hour on an as-needed basis. Motion passed with one nay vote.
• Resolution 2025-5 – Vice Chair Designation: Commissioner Gail Hambrick was nominated and elected Vice Chair, following a brief discussion about rotating districts.
• Ordinance 2025-8 – Code Amendments: Proposed amendments to sections on agenda, presiding officer duties, and COO authority over contracts and change orders. A motion to table the ordinance to February 4 failed (nays). A subsequent motion to adopt the ordinance also failed (nays).
• Board Appointments:
  • Board of Health: Held to next meeting (January 21 agenda note, but meeting date per instruction is Feb 12 – hold carried).
  • Civil Service Board: No vote required as Post 3 is appointed by constitutional officers; documentation confirmed.
  • Library Board of Trustees: Drew Andrews reappointed unanimously.
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Held to next meeting.
  • Solid Waste Management Authority: Mary Ann Carp reappointed unanimously.
  • Veterans Advisory Board: Thomas Holt reappointed unanimously.
• Executive Session: Motion to enter for litigation, personnel, and real estate passed unanimously. Reconvened afterward.
• Appointment of Fire Chief: Interim Chief Tim Sweat was formally appointed as the seventh fire chief of Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services. Chief Sweat gave remarks, thanking the board and pledging to build on Chief Merkerson’s foundation, opening new fire stations and headquarters.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda with two emergency additions was approved unanimously.
• Piper Sandler was awarded the financial services contract at $250/hour (approved with one nay).
• Commissioner Gail Hambrick was elected Vice Chair.
• Ordinance 2025-8 failed after a motion to table was also rejected.
• Board appointments were made for Library Board (Drew Andrews), Solid Waste Management Authority (Mary Ann Carp), and Veterans Advisory Board (Thomas Holt). Two appointments were held to the next meeting.
• Interim Chief Tim Sweat was confirmed as Fire Chief.
• The board entered executive session for litigation, personnel, and real estate, and later reconvened and adjourned.