Clayton County BOC Regular Business Meeting – September 16, 2025
Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting – September 16, 2025
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting on September 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., adjourning at 8:39 p.m. The meeting included presentations, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, discussion of legislative priorities, six zoning cases, executive session, and a supplemental appropriation for the clerk’s office.
Consent Calendar
- Approved as a single block (motion passed unanimously):
- Approval of September 2, 2025, meeting minutes.
- Monthly report of contracts/change orders (Central Services).
- Contract amendment: Digital Billboard Advertising at Atlanta Airport Baggage Claim for CCTV (Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.) – $53,125.
- Contract amendment: Construction of Fire Station #1 and Emergency Services Headquarters.
- Award: Prototype Design Services for Sector 4 Police Precinct.
- Award: Body Armor for Police Department.
- Budget Amendments: FY26 Library (2-9), FY25 County Wide (2-52), FY25 Pension Fund (2-53).
- Permit refund for Megan Reeves.
- TURF Retirees Medicare Renewal.
- Resolution 2025-196 through 2025-206: intergovernmental agreements with College Park, Forest Park, Jonesboro, Lake City, Morrow for elections; acceptance of donations for Digital Equity Block Party; holiday hours for Library, Parks, Recreation, and Senior Services; acceptance of Library Tech grant; application for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; initiation of rezoning at 5790 Highway 85; creation of Medical Tech Overlay District; and tax collection IGA with Clayton County Board of Education.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Henry Anderson (District 3 resident): Called for a moratorium on townhomes, stating they bring renters and depress property values, and urged approval of single-family detached homes like Trellis Park.
- Orlando Gooding (District 3): Criticized Chairwoman Anderson-Henry’s leadership, alleging the Roman United project was a “$559,000 scam” and that the county still owes over $3 million to the development authority. He also alleged waste, fraud, and abuse in overtime and consultant spending. The Chairwoman responded that the Roman United claim was untrue.
- Judith Cotton (District 4): Requested the county obtain the HUD-VASH program to address veteran homelessness.
- Mickey Garber (Unincorporated Rex): Expressed support for locating casino gambling in Clayton County, arguing it should be near the airport and the state farmers market, and could attract upscale retail.
- Carol Yancey (Rex, business owner): Alleged abuse of power, unethical conduct, and false police reports by commissioners, and stated the Development Authority owes at least $12 million. She called for a forensic audit and investigation.
- Dr. Lawanda Falami (District 4): Raised concerns about the Hearts to Nourish nonprofit’s rental assistance application process, noting the “Heart to Nourish” application is not user-friendly and that the nonprofit receives all funds while other organizations must go under its umbrella.
- Tamala Lachey (Unincorporated Rex): Presented a copy of the Hearts to Nourish interest form, pointing out that on page 6, question 1 does not list Clayton County as an option, making it impossible for residents to properly submit the application. She also noted the form says “do not call Hearts to Nourish.” The Chairwoman said she would speak with the organization.
Discussion Items
- Contract Amendment – Digital Billboard at Atlanta Airport (Item 3): The Office of Communications presented a request to amend the Clear Channel contract to add $13,125 for additional advertising periods and $40,000 for train wraps, total $53,125. Commissioner Allen questioned the return on investment. The Communications director explained the ads aim to reach over 1.8 million airport passengers, promote economic development, Spivey Splash, and workforce recruitment, and noted that an in-house campaign earned over $5 million in revenue. Commissioner Allen expressed concern about using board members’ photos, preferring ads focused on economic development. The amendment was approved.
- Budget Amendment 2-52 (Item 8): A $11,186 FY25 countywide budget amendment to appropriate revenue and reduce other expenses. Approved.
- Resolution 2025-207 – Legislative Priorities (Item 24): The Board amended the resolution to include a priority to support legalization of casino gambling in Georgia and for Clayton County to be considered a host site. The amendment and the amended resolution passed after discussion.
- Board Appointment – Balance of State Continuum of Care (Item 26): Linda Boswell was reappointed for a term January 21, 2025 – January 21, 2028. Approved.
- Board Appointments – Sports & Entertainment Council (Items 27-28): Tabled by the Chairwoman to the October 21, 2025, board meeting.
- Supplemental Appropriation for Clerk’s Office: A $5,000 supplement to Marcia Davis for assistance to the clerk’s office, retroactive to August 19, 2025, terminating December 31, 2025, or when the office is made whole. Approved.
Zoning Cases
- BOC-2504-0496 (CUP – Trailer Services, Morrow): Decision only. Applicant clarified that the site sits 30 feet below Mount Zion Road, 18-wheelers will be parked in the low area, box trucks/vans make up the majority, and operating hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Approved unanimously.
- BOC-2412-0469 (MOD – Mixed-Use, Ellenwood): Decision only. Commissioner Reeves moved to deny, citing the development would be placed directly between two existing single-family homes and would increase traffic. The motion passed (4-1, with one nay).
- BOC-2408-0445 (REZ – Commercial Multi-Tenant, Jonesboro): Public hearing. Staff recommended denial; applicant requested rezoning from AG to GB for a 2.87-acre site. Commissioner Davis moved to table to October 21, 2025, to allow further discussions. Approved.
- BOC-2411-0461 (CUP – Multifamily Mixed-Use, Jonesboro): Public hearing. Applicant proposed a 24-unit apartment building with ground-floor restaurants on 0.90 acres. Staff recommended denial. Opponents cited traffic and incompatibility. Commissioner Allen moved to approve with conditions: (1) include balconies, (2) provide entryway security, (3) if the second restaurant cannot be obtained, the retail space shall not be a hair salon, nail salon, or smoke/vape shop. Approved (4-1).
- BOC-2402-0399 (CUP – Truck Service, Ellenwood): Public hearing. Staff recommended denial. Applicant argued the use is complementary to the industrial area, will be conducted indoors behind closed doors, and the property has been cleaned up. Commissioner Reeves moved to approve, noting the applicant’s improvements and that the use is mobile repair with minimal on-site work. Approved (4-1).
- BOC-2507-0534 (MOD – Six Single-Family Lots, Rex): Public hearing. Applicant requested a modification to increase from five to six lots. Staff recommended approval with six conditions. Dr. Anderson spoke in favor as it provides single-family homes. Commissioner Reeves moved to approve with conditions. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved as a block.
- Contract amendment for airport digital billboard approved ($53,125).
- Budget amendment 2-52 approved ($11,186).
- Resolution 2025-207 amended to include support for casino gambling in Georgia and approved.
- Linda Boswell reappointed to Balance of State Continuum of Care.
- Sports & Entertainment Council appointments tabled to October 21, 2025.
- Zoning decisions:
- CUP for trailer services (BOC-2504-0496) – approved.
- Modification for mixed-use (BOC-2412-0469) – denied.
- Rezoning for commercial (BOC-2408-0445) – tabled to Oct 21.
- CUP for multifamily mixed-use (BOC-2411-0461) – approved with conditions.
- CUP for truck service (BOC-2402-0399) – approved.
- Modification for six single-family lots (BOC-2507-0534) – approved with conditions.
- Supplemental appropriation of $5,000 for the clerk’s office approved.
- Executive session held (litigation, personnel, real estate); no votes taken afterward.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
I know everyone was watching that video. It is awesome. I just want to thank who um whoever did that, our communications department. Let's give them a round of applause because they have been working hard, trying to get some positive press out here in regards to Clayton County, and that's how we're gonna keep it. We're gonna keep it positive and keep it moving. All right, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners regular business meeting is now called to order. The date is September 16, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock p.m. All right. We will do second on our agenda will be roll call. District 1. Yeah, district 3. Present, district 2 and district 4. Present. And chairwoman is here, y'all. All right, let's move on to number three on our agenda. Um, tonight, our invocation will be done by Minister Vanessa Battle from Newgate Church International. She will come up. You can come up to the podium for our invocation, and thereafter, we will do our pledge of allegiance to the flag. Well, everyone, please stand. Good evening, everyone. Uh rather shall I say terrific to speak to my Clayton County family. I want to thank you all for allowing me the privilege to come before you all today. And I would just ask that we all bow our heads. Father, we thank you, Lord God, that you have allowed us, Father, to be a part of this mission, Lord God, because Father, as we stand before you today, Lord God, I feel that we have an accountability not just to you, Lord God, but to the citizens of Clayton County. And so, Lord, in today, I ask that your Holy Spirit would continue to move about in this place, Lord God. Lord, let your Holy Spirit continue to move about in our leaders, Lord God, and even our community leaders, Lord. We ask that doing times like these, Father God, that as we lift up a prayer also, Father God, for the United States, Lord, because there is so much that's going on. But in times like this, Lord God, we ask that your Holy Spirit would hover over this region, Lord God, and we command angels, Lord God, and not just the angels, but Lord, we command angels of wisdom to descend themselves from the heaven and ascend here in this region in the South, in this county of Clayton, Lord God. God, give us wisdom as to how to move, Lord God. Because Lord, your word says that your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light into our path. And right now, Lord God, we need that light, Father God. We need to be the salt of the earth, Lord God. And Father, we don't need to move until you say move, Lord. So Father, I ask today that you will open the ears, Lord God, of our leaders here. Each elected official, Lord God, because Father, I believe that your word says that those in authority have been called by you. So God, I believe your word, and if I believe your word, I believe that each commissioner, Lord God, that's standing here before you have been called by you. And so now, Lord, because they have been called by you. It is a privilege, Lord God, for you to open up their spiritual ears, Lord God, and let them hear what you have to say, Lord God. Lord, block out all the noise that's happening around and let your Holy Spirit intervene, Lord God. Open up their ears, Lord God. And then, Father, I say, open up their eyes. Open their spiritual eyes, Lord God, because Lord, sometimes even what we see is happening in the natural is not really what's happening, Lord. A lot of times it's a facade. So we need, Lord God, for our leaders to be able to see you, Lord God, to hear you and to move when you move, Lord God. When you move, they move, Father God. So Lord, we bless you today, Lord God. And we plead the blood over this county, Lord God. We bind up the spirit of witchcraft, Lord God. We bind up that spirit of rebellion that's trying to take control of our people, Lord God. And we say now, Lord, come and intervene.
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