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 / 2:53:30

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

We can pull item 31 from the agenda.

0:17

All right.

0:19

Did you um did you all vote on to add this item to the agenda?

0:22

Do you want us to vote to add it to the um the first one to the agenda for the um the budget amendment?

0:27

So you want the budget amendment first and then we'll come back to item 31.

0:31

All right, at this time I need a motion to uh add uh the budget amendment to the regular agenda.

0:37

So move can I okay?

0:39

Is there any discussion at this time?

0:41

Are you ready for the vote?

0:42

Second oh, I'm sorry, second, second, second.

0:47

I thought I heard it was taken from next side.

0:49

I'm sorry.

0:50

All right, second, all right.

0:51

Are you ready for the question?

0:52

All in favor say aye.

0:54

Aye.

0:54

All opposed.

0:55

Any abstentions?

0:56

The ayes have it, and the motion passes.

0:58

Next um on the agenda is I'm asking the board to pull item 31 from the agenda.

1:03

Um, can I get a second on that motion, please?

1:06

Second, all right.

1:07

Is there any discussion at this time?

1:09

Is this the one pertaining to Georgia Link?

1:12

Yes.

1:14

And the reason why I'm asking us to pull it is because we said that um we said in previous meetings that we would do um is is Dietrich here.

1:22

Can you come up, Dre?

1:24

Mr.

1:25

Seal.

1:29

Thank you, Mr.

1:29

C O.

1:30

Mrs.

1:31

Samford.

1:34

All right.

1:34

So I was we were talking about um, we were talking about doing an RFP um to find um to to have uh to find for professional services, and I was just trying to say ask the board if we could wait and get let the RFP go out before we adopt before we actually put someone in that position at this time.

1:52

Um Commissioner Hampshire.

1:54

Um, not only that, but if we could have well, I guess we would do the RFP and let the people come before us and do a presentation.

2:02

Or whatever, so we can learn more about whatever we could say.

2:07

So good evening, Chair and Vice Chair and Board of Commissioners.

2:10

Yes, ma'am.

2:10

So um a couple of meetings back when we're trying to solidify um a lobbyist in space, um, we bought some individual lobbyists.

2:18

Um was the board's pleasure at the time to then move forward with an RFP.

2:22

Um I believe the lobbyists firm that's before you tonight.

2:26

Um you have the opportunity to um the pleasure of the board, whether you want to vote that in or not, but it doesn't preclude us from still doing the RFP.

2:34

What would happen is it's my um my understanding that the lobbyists in place would be in space for a year, an annual for a year period of time.

2:41

There's no renewals associated with that contract, and so we can run in tandem that for RFP, put that out as well, and once the contract or the resolution has um expired, then we can uh bring forth the lobbyists um or the the organizations that were vetted through central services from the RFP process.

3:00

So you have the options of doing both.

3:03

Um still moving forward tonight if that's the pleasure of the board.

3:06

If not, we don't move forward, then the RFP is in space to find a lobbying firm, or you can do both by um pushing the person in or the organization in tonight.

3:16

Understand that an RFP can run in tandem with that, so once the actual contract expires, then you have an opportunity to look at a new firm if it needs to be.

3:27

Um all respect or whatever.

3:30

We've done that over the years.

3:32

We've had people um companies, I know with the last two companies that provided zero service, and we were paying what 15,000 a month.

3:44

15,000.

3:46

Okay, so you remember 14,000 a month and all with the same thing about we'll have them a year, then the year goes and the next year, next year, next year.

3:55

So I would like for us to really look at these companies and decide if we're gonna do that and have our um our representatives have our um delegation come and tell us, you know, can they provide these services or do they recommend that we have a lobbyist because we do elect people to go down to the Capitol and represent us?

4:18

So I just don't want to waste money like we've done with the last two companies.

4:22

And last year, um, you know, uh we you did a lot of that work, Mr.

4:27

CO.

4:27

We had to go down there and actually do a lot of that work last year because we didn't have lobbyists because uh again they were pulled by the the board decided not to have them.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████18%
Public Safety█████████9%
Public Engagement██████6%
Development Impact Fees██████6%
Public Hearing█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Local Assistance Grants█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Summary of Proceedings

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. The meeting included presentations and proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approval, and discussion of multiple agenda items including fire truck financing, budget amendments, a de-annexation request, support for the HaunTeen Reality Haunted House, local assistance grants, civil service system changes, impact fee adoption, a lobbying contract, board appointments, and zoning decisions. The meeting concluded with an executive session on litigation and adjournment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the October 7, 2025, Regular Business Meeting minutes.
  • Approved monthly procurement report.
  • Approved contract amendment for Battle Creek Rd and Mt. Zion Blvd widening/reconstruction.
  • Approved service plan for Wescam MX10 helicopter camera.
  • Approved Georgia Power service agreement.
  • Approved resolution for master lease-purchase with PNC Bank for fire trucks (later voted separately; failed – see Discussion Items).
  • Approved cooperative purchase of six fire trucks (later tabled – see Discussion Items).
  • Approved budget amendments (4-3, 4-4, 4-5) for fire fund projects and property appraisals.
  • Approved chaplain agreement with Zackery Marler.
  • Approved resolution to apply for Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant.
  • Approved Parks and Recreation fees and charges policy revision.
  • Approved ordinance to amend parking citation enforcement to include Police Ambassadors.
  • Approved resolution to apply for ARC Area Agency on Aging grants.
  • Approved ordinance on speed detection devices.
  • Approved resolution to initiate modification to Ellenwood PUD.
  • Approved site development application refund.
  • Approved order for remission.
  • Approved resolution to suspend max application number for Zoning Advisory Group December meeting.
  • Approved resolution to accept de-annexed properties from Lovejoy (later denied – see Discussion Items).
  • Approved resolution to support HaunTeen Reality Haunted House (pulled to regular agenda; approved).
  • Approved second order for remission.
  • Approved resolution to apply for GDOT Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grants for Tara Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Project and Flint River/Jester's Creek Connector Trail.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Marcia Atkins (Jonesboro resident) thanked Commissioner Hambrick for help with county-owned property and requested removal of an unjust fine.
  • Alan Wooten (Calvary Refuge Center) thanked the board and requested additional funding for homeless services; staff noted pending CDBG funds.
  • Alvin Johnson (Pastor/Chaplain, American Legion District 4) praised Hearts to Nourish Hope for supporting veterans and seniors; urged community unity.
  • Mickey Garber (unincorporated Rex) advocated for lobbyist accountability (monthly reports) and public service announcements against littering.
  • Dr. Henry Anderson (District 3) clarified his evaluations are unbiased; announced future focus on townhomes, millage rate, and code enforcement.
  • Antoinette Montgomery (District 1) complained about lack of response from her commissioner; commended police and code enforcement; urged citizens to propose solutions.
  • Julia Isaac (business owner, Preferred Waste Solutions) thanked sponsors for upcoming Turkey and Togetherness event on November 15, 2025.
  • Brenda Harrison (unincorporated Clayton County) asked the board to consider board appointees' time before suspending the application limit.
  • Brian Cheeks (District 1) praised commissioners for community events; requested continued prostate cancer screening services.
  • Drew Andrews (District 4) supported melanated pearl organization; asked county to assist federal workers affected by the shutdown with part-time positions.
  • Carlos Bonila (District 3) urged denial of items 43 and 44 (zoning cases).
  • Pat Bryant (Riverdale) raised concerns about hedge funds converting homes into rooming houses in older subdivisions without HOAs; requested board action to deter investors.

Discussion Items

Fire Truck Financing and Purchase (Items 6 & 7) – Commissioner Davis questioned the interest rate (4.09%) and prepayment penalty with PNC Bank. Fire Chief explained $5.11M total purchase with $1M down payment; rate locked but facing November 1 price increase (~$153k). DCOO Merkison noted fire trucks were removed from 2027 SPLOST. Motion to approve resolution 2025-232 (lease-purchase agreement) failed (nays). Motion to table item 7 (cooperative purchase of six trucks) to November 4 passed.

Budget Amendments – Amendment 4-3 ($2,431,512.58) for fire fund carryover projects approved. Amendment 4-5 ($14,000) for property appraisals for mental health facility land approved after clarification that it only pays appraisals already authorized.

De-Annexation Request (Item 20) – Resolution to accept de-annexed properties from Lovejoy (for a smoke shop). Commissioner Allen opposed; motion to deny passed.

HaunTeen Reality Haunted House Support (Item 21) – Approved resolution; no specific county contribution was identified.

Local Assistance Grants (Items 25-26) – After discussion of amendments, board approved Amendment 2 (Commissioner Allen) which reduced DeFacts by $10,000, increased Melanated Pearl by $4,500, and increased Sisters Empowerment Network to $5,500. Resolution 2025-233 authorizing agreements with grantees passed.

Civil Service System Ordinance (Item 27) – First read of ordinance to add department directors back to civil service. DCOO Merkison explained it reverses a 2016 change and standardizes protections. Approved.

Impact Fee Program (Items 28-30) – Second public hearing. DCOO Merkison presented fee schedule (max fees: single-family home $2,388, apartment per unit $2,388, retail $0.52/sq ft, warehouse $0.21/sq ft). Public comments supported but requested road repairs and sound barriers. Board adopted Capital Improvements Element (Resolution 2025-217) and Impact Fee Ordinance (2025-226) with effective date April 1, 2026.

Lobbying Contract – GeorgiaLink (Item 31) – Debate over whether to wait for RFP. Motion to pull item failed; resolution 2025-227 approved (ayes), allowing GeorgiaLink to serve as lobbyist for one year while RFP runs in tandem.

Board Appointments – Code Enforcement Board: Pat Pillar appointed. Tax Assessor Board: Paris Scott Hundell appointed.

Zoning Decisions (Items 36-50) –

  • Item 36 (CUP for medical/solid waste facility): Approved.
  • Item 37 (Rezone Mt Zion Blvd): Approved with conditions requiring commissioner and community development approval of plans.
  • Item 38 (CUP for emissions testing): Denied; building to become code enforcement issue.
  • Item 39 (Ellenwood PUD modification): Approved to remove data centers as permitted use in mixed-use area.
  • Item 40 (Text amendment Highway 54 lot sizes): Approved; clarifies minimum lot size for townhomes.
  • Item 41 (Text amendment – performance standards): Approved; removes conflict on grass height (6 inches).
  • Item 42 (Text amendment – landscaping and truck parking): Approved; requires paving and adjusts landscape island calculations.
  • Items 43-44 (FLUM & Rezone for single-family detached): Tabled to November 18, 2025.
  • Items 45-48 (FLUM & Rezones for townhomes/single-family): Tabled to November 18, 2025.
  • Items 49-50 (FLUM & Rezone for townhomes/detached): Tabled to January 20, 2026 per applicant request.

Key Outcomes

  • Fire truck financing resolution denied; purchase item tabled to November 4, 2025 (but meeting date per instruction is February 12, 2026).
  • De-annexation request denied.
  • Impact fee program adopted with maximum fees, effective April 1, 2026.
  • Lobbying contract with GeorgiaLink approved.
  • Civil service ordinance passed on first read.
  • Board entered executive session on litigation; reconvened and adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

Note: The date of this meeting is given as February 12, 2026 per instruction, though all agenda and transcript materials indicate October 21, 2025. This summary uses the instructed date.

Meeting Transcript

We can pull item 31 from the agenda. All right. Did you um did you all vote on to add this item to the agenda? Do you want us to vote to add it to the um the first one to the agenda for the um the budget amendment? So you want the budget amendment first and then we'll come back to item 31. All right, at this time I need a motion to uh add uh the budget amendment to the regular agenda. So move can I okay? Is there any discussion at this time? Are you ready for the vote? Second oh, I'm sorry, second, second, second. I thought I heard it was taken from next side. I'm sorry. All right, second, all right. Are you ready for the question? All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Any abstentions? The ayes have it, and the motion passes. Next um on the agenda is I'm asking the board to pull item 31 from the agenda. Um, can I get a second on that motion, please? Second, all right. Is there any discussion at this time? Is this the one pertaining to Georgia Link? Yes. And the reason why I'm asking us to pull it is because we said that um we said in previous meetings that we would do um is is Dietrich here. Can you come up, Dre? Mr. Seal. Thank you, Mr. C O. Mrs. Samford. All right. So I was we were talking about um, we were talking about doing an RFP um to find um to to have uh to find for professional services, and I was just trying to say ask the board if we could wait and get let the RFP go out before we adopt before we actually put someone in that position at this time. Um Commissioner Hampshire. Um, not only that, but if we could have well, I guess we would do the RFP and let the people come before us and do a presentation. Or whatever, so we can learn more about whatever we could say. So good evening, Chair and Vice Chair and Board of Commissioners. Yes, ma'am. So um a couple of meetings back when we're trying to solidify um a lobbyist in space, um, we bought some individual lobbyists. Um was the board's pleasure at the time to then move forward with an RFP. Um I believe the lobbyists firm that's before you tonight. Um you have the opportunity to um the pleasure of the board, whether you want to vote that in or not, but it doesn't preclude us from still doing the RFP. What would happen is it's my um my understanding that the lobbyists in place would be in space for a year, an annual for a year period of time. There's no renewals associated with that contract, and so we can run in tandem that for RFP, put that out as well, and once the contract or the resolution has um expired, then we can uh bring forth the lobbyists um or the the organizations that were vetted through central services from the RFP process. So you have the options of doing both. Um still moving forward tonight if that's the pleasure of the board. If not, we don't move forward, then the RFP is in space to find a lobbying firm, or you can do both by um pushing the person in or the organization in tonight. Understand that an RFP can run in tandem with that, so once the actual contract expires, then you have an opportunity to look at a new firm if it needs to be.

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