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 PM. The meeting covered adoption of the agenda with two late additions, numerous consent agenda items, presentations and proclamations, public comments, a public hearing on House Bill 581, and board appointments to the Water Authority and Development Authority. Key decisions included the approval of a contract amendment for medical examiner services, adoption of a resolution to rescind the mandatory county-wide curbside trash collection plan, and multiple board appointments. The evening concluded with an executive session for litigation and real estate and approval of two property purchase agreements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the February 4, 2025 Regular Business Meeting Board Minutes.
• Monthly report of contracts, contract modifications, and/or change orders authorized by the Chief Procurement Officer.
• Contract Amendment: ITB #20-118 Custodial Services Annual Contract.
• Award: RFP #24-132 Landfill Clearing and Mowing Services Annual Contract.
• Award: ITB #24-143 Ballfield Lighting Re-Lamp & Electrical Maintenance Annual Contract.
• Award: ITB #24-152 Fire Fighter Protective Gear Annual Contract.
• Contract Amendment: PSA #24-163 Attorney Services for the Public Defender’s Office.
• Award: SWC #24-202 Food Services Annual Contract for Corrections Department (Prison).
• Request to Sell: #25-13 Disposition of Personal Property for Surplus Items.
• Renewals of Aircraft Hull & Liability Insurance, Public Entity Liability Insurance, and Public Entity Excess Liability Insurance.
• Price Increase Amendment: PSA #22-318 Medical Examiner Services Annual Contract.
• Contract Amendment: SP #24-224 PTSD Program for First Responders.
• Award: SP #24-182 Preventive Maintenance and Vehicle Repair Services Annual Contract for Fire & EMS.
• Permit Refund.
• Multiple Budget Amendments (2-20, 2-21, 2-22, 4-16).
• New Street Light Districts: Walden Park, Thomas Estates, Auburn Ridge, Rex Road Townhomes.
• Resolutions 2025-24 (Accountability Court Operating Grant), 2025-25 (MOU with Heart Healthy Habits, Inc.), 2025-26 (Naloxone donation to Clayton County Public Schools), 2025-28 (Special Facility Use Request for Villages of Ellenwood), 2025-29 (Sale of firearms by Police Department), 2025-30 (First Amendment of Interstate Lighting System Agreement), 2025-31 (First Amendment of Consulting Services Agreement with National Council on Aging), 2025-32 (Support for Caribbean Cultural Festival), 2025-33 (Ordinance amending International Plumbing Code), 2025-34 (Amended Collaboration Agreement with American Heart Association).
• Emergency Add-Ons: Ordinance 2025-16 (Pension, second reading) and Resolution 2025-35 (Professional Services Agreement with Denmark Ashby LLC & Capri and Clay Inc. for federal lobbyist services). The consent agenda was approved unanimously after a motion to add the two emergency items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mia Ballinger (District 4) spoke about the 2022 murder of Eric Holmes by a former Clayton County police officer, urging the county to prevent such tragedies. She also invited the board to a pizza party for special needs children on March 28, 2025.
• Kelvin Holmes (mother of Eric Holmes) expressed her pain and called for justice. She also urged support for PTSD programs for first responders, citing the need to treat mental health to avoid lawsuits.
• Dominique Grant (District 1) criticized the county's property tax assessments (nearly quadrupled in five years, overassessments over 20%), teacher vacancies, and budget priorities that favor law enforcement over schools. She urged the board to reconsider opting out of the homestead exemption and to invest in citizens.
• Mickey Garber (Unincorporated Rex) spoke against a mandatory trash pickup plan, arguing it would be an unnecessary tax increase and that the county should target absentee landlords instead.
• India Gray (Unincorporated Jonesboro, District 3) advocated for more sidewalks and street lighting for safe walking, and for investment in multifamily ownership options rather than rentals.
• Youth Commissioner Andy Pham (District 1) announced that applications for the Clayton County Youth Commission are open from March 1 to March 31, encouraging civic engagement among rising 9th-12th graders.
• Doreen Johnson (District 1) expressed opposition to HB 581 (opt-in), concerned about being locked into a permanent plan. She recounted a 10-year struggle with improper square footage assessment on her home and supported mandatory trash pickup to address litter from rental properties.
• Gloria McCain spoke against opting out of HB 581, stating it would hinder her taxes and well-being.
• Darlene Johnson (Unincorporated Clayton County) supported opting out of HB 581, arguing it could lead to gentrification and that the county cannot afford service cuts. She emphasized the need for new housing inventory and revenue from businesses.
• Timothy Vondale Jefferson (Unincorporated Clayton County) urged opting out to retain local control, and suggested the county collaborate with state representatives to access the governor's $16 billion surplus for infrastructure and jail improvements. He also opposed rescinding the trash plan, calling it a step backward.
• Lamont Johnson (over 26 years in Clayton) expressed concern about being locked into HB 581, and leaning toward opt-out to keep fire department efficiency and avoid future state control.
• Lisa Gonzalez (District 3) favored opting out, citing risk of reduced services, vagueness of CPI formula, loss of county autonomy, and suspicion of the permanent lock-in.
• Beverly Moran (Unincorporated Clayton County, senior) opposed opting in, viewing it as permanent and potentially harmful to middle-class residents. She supported mandatory trash pickup to address issues with absentee landlords.
• Esther Peters (District 4) questioned the opt-out advertisement, appreciated the board's clarification, and urged more education sessions for constituents on ballot measures.
• Dominique Grant again and others echoed similar concerns.
• Crystal Woods (Jonesboro) argued that Clayton County is not receiving sufficient funds from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and called for innovative solutions to increase revenue rather than raising property taxes. She cited an 82% property tax increase over two years.
• Judith Cotton (District 4, real estate broker) opposed opting in, warning of foreclosures similar to 2008, and urged the board to attract anchor businesses and single-family homes for tax revenue.
• Tammy Prairie (District 3, retired police officer) expressed concern about additional tax burdens and potholes, asking for solutions without further taxing citizens.

Discussion Items

• Item 35: Resolution 2025-27 (Rescind Mandatory County-Wide Curbside Garbage and Solid Waste Collection Plan) – The board debated the rescission. Commissioner Reeves, who placed the item on the agenda, argued against placing new line items on tax bills, noting many residents already have trash service and that the plan would require new personnel for collection. Commissioner Hambrick countered that litter is a major problem, with whole bags dumped in streets, and that mandatory service at $19/month (compared to her current ~$80/quarter) would save money and clean the county. Commissioner Allen asked about startup costs and the status of the RFP, which had expired. Attorney Reed explained that rescinding would require the Solid Waste Authority to develop a new plan; not rescinding would keep the four-district plan alive but require a new RFP. Commissioner Smith raised concerns about impacts on small haulers and the potential for putting liens on homes for nonpayment. After extensive discussion, the motion to rescind passed (ayes dominated, nays present but outnumbered).
• Item 13: Price Increase for Medical Examiner Services (PSA #22-318) – Contract with Coswell Truman LLC dba Clayton County Medical Examiner. Requested 4.1% increase based on CPI, raising per-case cost from $1,708.50 to $1,778.55. Commissioners questioned the CPI justification (January CPI was 2.9%, but the increase was based on an earlier index). Staff clarified the vendor submitted the request 90 days prior, using the September/October CPI. The motion to approve passed with one nay.
• Item 35 (Emergency Add-On): Resolution 2025-35 (Lobbyist Services Agreement) – Authorized participation in a federal lobbyist agreement with Denmark Ashby LLC and Capri & Clay Inc. to help recover aviation fuel tax. The county's share is $1,834.73 per month on a one-year term. Commissioners confirmed the firm works on federal legislation and that other municipalities participate. The item was added to consent and approved.
• Public Hearing on House Bill 581 (Third Hearing) – Financial advisor Ed Wall presented HB 581, which passed in November 2024 with 63% of the vote. The bill creates a new floating homestead exemption tied to inflation, a floating local option sales tax (only available if every entity in the county does not opt out), and a simplified rollback millage rate process. For a $250,000 home with 6% value increase, but capped at 3% CPI, the annual savings would be $146. For a $500,000 home, $291; for $750,000, $437. The flost can be levied in 0.05% increments up to 1%, for five-year terms, only if all municipalities also stay opted in. The decision to opt out must be made by March 1, 2025. A new bill (HB 92, the “fix” bill) would extend the opt-out deadline to March 31, 2029, among other changes. CFO Stacey Merritt outlined local impacts: revenue loss from homestead properties would compound over three years (e.g., general fund loss of ~$X million - not specified precisely) and fire fund would lose an estimated $500,000 in FY26, $1.04 million in FY27, and $1.6 million in FY28 if CPI stays at 3% and property values rise 6%. Fire Chief Sweat demonstrated that such losses could force closure of fire apparatus up to two pieces per day by FY28, potentially lowering the ISO rating from class 1 and increasing insurance premiums. He clarified the fire fund receives no sales tax revenue. Tax Assessor Emmett George provided context: total digest assessed value ~$14 billion, 50% residential, about 30% homesteaded, and property taxes constitute ~$200 million of the $300 million general fund, of which ~$60 million comes from homestead properties. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in favor of opting out (dozens of speakers opposed opting in, few supported opt-in). The board took no action on this item at the meeting; the chair noted a decision must be made before March 1.
• Board Appointments – Water Authority: First appointment (for Rodney Gibbons seat) failed (nays prevailed); second appointment (reappointment of Dr. C. Fitz Jackson) passed. Development Authority: Reappointment of Tim Hines passed; appointment of Keith Horton to replace Rich Mahome passed; reappointment of Emma Godby passed; tabling of Randy Burton appointment to March 4 meeting; reappointment of John Pierre Bourget passed; appointment of Brian Hunt for open seat passed.
• Executive Session – Litigation and real estate. After reconvening, the board approved two purchase and sale agreements for tax parcel IDs 13020B C024 ($61,000) and 13020B C019 ($118,880).

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda (including all routine items and emergency add-ons).
• Approved Item 13: 4.1% price increase for Medical Examiner Services contract (motion passed with one nay).
• Approved Resolution 2025-27 to rescind the mandatory county-wide curbside solid waste collection plan (motion passed, ayes majority).
• Appointed members to Water Authority (Dr. C. Fitz Jackson) and Development Authority (Tim Hines, Keith Horton, Emma Godby, John Pierre Bourget, Brian Hunt); one appointment (Rodney Gibbons to Water Authority) failed; one (Randy Burton to Development Authority) tabled to March 4 meeting.
• Approved two land purchase agreements after executive session.
• No final decision on HB 581 opt-in/opt-out; board will decide before March 1, 2025, pending additional information and continued public input.
• Next steps: The board will reconvene for a regular business meeting on March 4, 2025, where the tabled appointment and likely the HB 581 decision will be addressed.