OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

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

Board of Commissioners — Thursday, February 12, 2026
BodyClayton County, Georgia
SessionBoard of Commissioners
DateThursday, February 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:41:18

Transcript — Verbatim
1:06

Please take our seats.

1:14

All right, welcome to this evening's regular business meeting.

1:18

We will have and I'm looking for Pastor Dallas.

1:24

I do not see him.

1:25

We will have a moment of silent prayer and it will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:32

And I will ask our veteran of the month who is retired, Sergeant First Class Kenneth Gilmore is he here.

1:40

Yes, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, if you would.

1:43

If you would, please stand with me.

2:00

Thank you.

2:01

Mr.

2:02

Gilmore, if you just come right up there and you can do it from right there, sir.

2:05

Just lead us in the ledge.

2:12

And to the Republic for which he stands.

2:21

Amen.

2:30

Good evening, everyone.

2:32

Welcome to our December 3rd, 2024 regular business meeting.

2:37

The first order of business is the adoption of the agenda.

2:40

Do any board members have any amendments?

2:46

Anybody have any amendments, additions, or removals.

2:53

All right, hearing none, I will entertain a motion to adopt the agenda.

2:57

So move.

2:58

Is there a second?

2:59

Second.

3:00

Any questions?

3:01

Those in favor, aye.

3:02

Aye.

3:03

Opposed.

3:04

It is unanimous.

3:06

Our next item is our presentation for the veteran of the month.

3:11

All right, our veteran of the month is retired, Sergeant First Class Kenneth Gilmore.

3:18

Kenneth Gilmore enlisted in the United States Army in Richmond, Virginia in August of 1981, and was assigned to the United States Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

3:30

There he completed basic combat training and then went on to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to attend advanced individual training as a weapons armorer and unit supply specialist.

3:42

During his military service, Kenneth served with the 72nd MASH Medical Clearing Hospital at Fort Meade, Maryland, 524th Military Intelligence Group in Seoul Korea.

3:55

U.S.

3:56

Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade, New Haven, Connecticut, 32nd AdCom, 17th Air Defense Art Artillery.

4:24

Kenneth Gilmore received awards and decorations that include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Seventh Award, National Defense Service Medal, Second Award, and that is just the name of few among many.

4:44

After 22 years of service, Sergeant First Class Gilmore retired while stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

4:51

Kenneth Gilmore has lived in the city of Jonesboro for 30 years.

5:00

He now serves as Vice Chairman of the Clayton County Veterans Advisory Board and is one of the last original members and the longest serving on the board.

5:04

He is also a current member of Veterans of Foreign Foreign Wars Post Sixty Three Thirty in Jonesboro, Georgia.

5:12

He is active with Neighborhood Watch, participates in a school mentorship program, and is an advocate for homeless and disabled veterans.

5:21

Kenneth is married to Josephine Gilmore, his 11 wife for 37 years.

5:27

And from this union are four children.

5:40

Help me honor and recognize retired Sergeant First Class, Kenneth Gilmore.

8:15

All right, Bruce.

8:40

Next on the agenda, we have our proclamation, National Procurement Institute's Achievement of Excellence and Procurement Award by Central Services.

9:14

Clayton County Board of Commissioners honors Clayton County Central Services Department Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award.

9:23

Whereas Clayton County Board of Commissioners are proud to recognize the Central Services Department for the prestigious 2024 annual achievement of excellence in procurement from the National Procurement Institute Incorporated.

9:35

And whereas the AEP program encourages the development of excellence and continued organizational approvement to earn the award annually.

9:48

And whereas in 1995, the National Procurement Institute Incorporated established a program designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement.

10:00

The achievement of the excellence in procurement is awarded annually.

10:44

And whereas for 2024, there were 198 successful applicants, including 72 cities, 49 counties, 25 special districts, 25 school districts, 16 higher education agencies, five state or provincial agencies, and eight others.

11:03

Now therefore, I, Jeffrey E.

11:06

Turner, on behalf of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, officially acknowledge the Central Services Department commitment to procurement excellence through best practices, strategic procurement, and continuous improvement.

11:18

And on behalf of our citizens, do hereby extend this expression of our pride in this prestigious milestone achieved by Central Services.

11:27

In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the sale of Clayton County, Georgia, to be a fixed this third day of December in the year 2024.

11:49

Well for the whole county.

11:50

So thank you.

11:51

Thank you.

11:52

William Ver.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Data Center Regulation████████████████████████████28%
Zoning And Land Use████████████12%
Board Appointments████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Environmental Protection█████████9%
Veteran Services█████5%
Real Estate Management█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Procurement Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

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

Note: The provided agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on December 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM, but per instruction, this summary uses the date February 12, 2026. The meeting included presentations, public comments, consent agenda approval, a contested stream buffer variance for a data center, acceptance of subdivision improvements, numerous board appointments, executive session, and post-executive session approvals related to the Gillam Logistics Center.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • Veteran of the Month: Retired Sergeant First Class Kenneth Gilmore was honored for 22 years of U.S. Army service and his ongoing community involvement.
  • Proclamation: The Board recognized the Central Services Department for receiving the National Procurement Institute’s Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for 2024, noting 198 successful applicants nationwide.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Orlando Gooden (District 3) criticized procedural issues, questioned the $559,000 “Roman United con job,” opposed mandatory trash as a monopoly, and urged the Board not to reduce public comment time.
  • Letha Ansley (District 3) raised concerns about a proposed data center near her home, citing electromagnetic interference with aircraft, noise, and obsolescence after 5–10 years.
  • Pat Bryant (District 3) requested increased funding for the code enforcement department to help maintain older subdivisions without HOAs.
  • Donna Mullins (District 1) urged the Board to reject Resolution 2024-266, arguing that the data center would violate the county’s comprehensive plan by harming natural resources (streams, rock outcroppings) and that the developer had not listened to residents.
  • Mickey Garber (District 3) warned that if the data center causes problems, the county will bear the cost, not the developer, and called on Commissioner Reeves to protect constituents.
  • Carol Yancey (District 3) praised community outreach events, criticized elected officials for taking credit, and argued that mandatory trash harms minority-owned businesses and fails to stop illegal dumping.
  • Emmanuel Lover (District 3) alleged that his property was taken without consent through court proceedings and called for a vote to address the issue.

Consent Calendar

  • The Board unanimously approved 21 consent items, including:
    • Approval of November 19, 2024, meeting minutes
    • Technology products/services contract (CP #24-223)
    • Sale of surplus vehicles and equipment (#23-233)
    • Water delivery services contract (ITB #24-135)
    • Fire station alerting system controllers (SWC #24-173)
    • FortiSIEM subscription license (SWC #24-222)
    • Termination of contracts: insurance brokerage (RFP #23-14), four legal services contracts for Juvenile Court (PSA #23-11, #23-293, #24-115, #23-292)
    • Amendment to River’s Edge Greenway Trail contract (PSA #22-92)
    • IT reclassifications
    • Four budget amendments (2-39 through 2-42)
    • Ordinance 2024-272 (amending purchasing code)
    • Resolution 2024-273 (IGA with Fayette County for McDonough Road Bridge)
    • Resolution 2024-274 (special facility use for Lake Spivey HOA holiday party)
    • Resolution 2024-275 (new Fire Department logo)

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 2024-266 – Stream Buffer Variance for Data Center (4350 East Tanners Church Road, Ellenwood):

    • Applicant (Adam Richards, Reliant Real Estate Partners; Woody Galloway, attorney): Stated that the site is already zoned for a data center and the variance is needed to fill a drainage ditch/stream. The Army Corps of Engineers and Georgia EPD have already approved the variance with required mitigation credits (estimated $1M–$1.5M). They offered to provide an electromagnetic interference study if needed and argued the water leaving the site will be cleaner due to stormwater detention and water quality features. They noted the data center will use a closed-loop cooling system and will not consume significant water.
    • Opposition (multiple residents): Expressed concerns about water quality impacts on private wells and a downstream pond, electromagnetic interference with low-flying aircraft (Hartsfield-Jackson runway proximity), noise, property values, and the loss of natural buffers. They argued the developer should meet existing county standards rather than seeking variances.
    • Staff questions: Director Mettarko explained that the county buffers (non-disturbed and impervious) would be impacted; the developer has federal and state permits to encroach on their buffers. Director Ajike described the history of the Ellenwood PUD and how the parcel came to be zoned for a data center.
    • Motion to table: Commissioner Davis moved to table the item to the December 17, 2024 meeting (note: date per transcript). The motion passed 4-1.

  • Walden Park Phase 1 Subdivision – Acceptance of Public Improvements:

    • Staff recommended acceptance subject to inclusion of an amended lighting plan complying with the overlay district. Commissioner Allen moved to accept with the amended lighting plan submitted December 3, 2024. Approved unanimously.

  • Board Appointments (24 items):

    • Approved: Development Authority (John Pierre Berger, Ramona Bivens), Behavioral Health Region 3 Advisory Council (Mileen Hector – corrected later), Elections & Registration (Mileen Hector – corrected later to Gina Delaney), Housing Authority (Hilda Reeves reappointed), Parks & Recreation (Ayanta Burks, Carlos Benefield, Ricky Lovelace reappointed), Public Facilities Authority (Michael Clayton Jr.), Solid Waste Management Authority (Marcia Flewellin, Major McDonald reappointed, Sheriff Levon Allen reappointed – one abstention), Tax Assessors (Suzanne Henry reappointed), Tourism Authority (Rosanette Kirby, Tamary Scott, Tanya Clark reappointed, Jerry Halls), Veterans Advisory Board (Kenneth Gilmore reappointed), Zoning Advisory Group (Glenn McGregor).
    • Held: Family & Children Services Board, Library Board of Trustees, Veterans Advisory Board (Thomas Holt) – deferred to December 17 meeting.

  • Executive Session: The Board entered executive session for litigation, real estate, and personnel matters. Unanimous.

  • Post-Executive Session – Resolutions 2024-276 and 2024-277 (Gillam Logistics Center):

    • Resolution 2024-276 authorizes an amended memorandum of understanding with the Forest Park Urban Redevelopment Agency to establish terms for a tax abatement program at Gillam Logistics Center. The county retains approval authority over any county tax abatements, and the city cannot abate county taxes without Board approval.
    • Resolution 2024-277 authorizes an easement and maintenance agreement with the same agency, allowing access and utility easement. The easement is non-transferable; any new developer must seek Board approval.
    • Both resolutions were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Stream buffer variance tabled to December 17, 2024 (4-1 vote).
  • Walden Park improvements accepted with amended lighting plan (unanimous).
  • Multiple board appointments approved; two held to December 17.
  • Two resolutions for Gillam Logistics Center approved, retaining county control over tax abatements and easement assignments.
  • Executive session held for litigation, real estate, and personnel.
  • Meeting adjourned after approximately 1.5 hours.

Meeting Transcript

Please take our seats. All right, welcome to this evening's regular business meeting. We will have and I'm looking for Pastor Dallas. I do not see him. We will have a moment of silent prayer and it will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And I will ask our veteran of the month who is retired, Sergeant First Class Kenneth Gilmore is he here. Yes, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, if you would. If you would, please stand with me. Thank you. Mr. Gilmore, if you just come right up there and you can do it from right there, sir. Just lead us in the ledge. And to the Republic for which he stands. Amen. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our December 3rd, 2024 regular business meeting. The first order of business is the adoption of the agenda. Do any board members have any amendments? Anybody have any amendments, additions, or removals. All right, hearing none, I will entertain a motion to adopt the agenda. So move. Is there a second? Second. Any questions? Those in favor, aye. Aye. Opposed. It is unanimous. Our next item is our presentation for the veteran of the month. All right, our veteran of the month is retired, Sergeant First Class Kenneth Gilmore. Kenneth Gilmore enlisted in the United States Army in Richmond, Virginia in August of 1981, and was assigned to the United States Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. There he completed basic combat training and then went on to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to attend advanced individual training as a weapons armorer and unit supply specialist. During his military service, Kenneth served with the 72nd MASH Medical Clearing Hospital at Fort Meade, Maryland, 524th Military Intelligence Group in Seoul Korea. U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade, New Haven, Connecticut, 32nd AdCom, 17th Air Defense Art Artillery. Kenneth Gilmore received awards and decorations that include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Seventh Award, National Defense Service Medal, Second Award, and that is just the name of few among many. After 22 years of service, Sergeant First Class Gilmore retired while stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Kenneth Gilmore has lived in the city of Jonesboro for 30 years. He now serves as Vice Chairman of the Clayton County Veterans Advisory Board and is one of the last original members and the longest serving on the board. He is also a current member of Veterans of Foreign Foreign Wars Post Sixty Three Thirty in Jonesboro, Georgia. He is active with Neighborhood Watch, participates in a school mentorship program, and is an advocate for homeless and disabled veterans. Kenneth is married to Josephine Gilmore, his 11 wife for 37 years. And from this union are four children. Help me honor and recognize retired Sergeant First Class, Kenneth Gilmore. All right, Bruce. Next on the agenda, we have our proclamation, National Procurement Institute's Achievement of Excellence and Procurement Award by Central Services. Clayton County Board of Commissioners honors Clayton County Central Services Department Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award. Whereas Clayton County Board of Commissioners are proud to recognize the Central Services Department for the prestigious 2024 annual achievement of excellence in procurement from the National Procurement Institute Incorporated. And whereas the AEP program encourages the development of excellence and continued organizational approvement to earn the award annually. And whereas in 1995, the National Procurement Institute Incorporated established a program designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement.

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