The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM, chaired by Vice Chair Gail Hambert due to the Chairwoman's absence. The meeting included emergency additions, a SPLOST discussion, public comments criticizing financial management, approval of a consent agenda, several budget amendments, and executive session for litigation.
Chief Operating Officer Merkerson presented on the upcoming 2026 SPLOST referendum, requesting board direction on whether to include a Level 1 project (countywide capital projects such as jail/courthouse). The board consensus was to include Level 1 projects for the jail and courthouse. The discussion also covered a potential Sector 4 police precinct (not a Level 1 but could be in SPLOST). The board agreed to continue SPLOST discussion at the June 10 work session.
The DA explained the need for a unified software system (NICE Systems) to manage discovery, evidence retention, and translation. The five-year contract not to exceed $634,462 was approved unanimously.
Interim CFO detailed the amendment covering salaries, benefits, litigation settlements, and other expenses to close the fiscal year. Commissioners questioned the large amount and lack of foresight. A motion to approve contingent on an outside independent audit failed. A subsequent motion to approve failed. The item was then moved to the June 17 meeting, with an added discussion at the June 10 work session. The motion to move passed (majority vote).
Both were moved to the June 10 work session for discussion.
Requested due to delinquent food and medical invoices. Commissioner Allan motioned to approve $1.7 million for food and dietary; no second. Commissioner Davis motioned to approve $4 million for food and dietary and medical service fees; seconded and approved (with one abstention). The full amendment was not passed; only partial funding was approved.
Angela Jackson was approved as interim CFO with an adjusted salary of $203,000 (total compensation $270,973). The board directed HR to restart the CFO recruitment process.
Good evening, everyone. Today is Tuesday, June 3rd, and the time is 6 p.m. I, as vice chair of the Fenton County Board of Commissioners, I will call our meeting into order. I do want to note for those who are not aware, our chairwoman is uh representing us out of town uh and will not be in attendance at tonight's meeting. Uh first to establish a quorum. I will do a quick roll call if I can get all the uh board members to announce uh their presence by saying either here or present. We'll start with district two. Commissioner Gail Hambert. Uh here Commissioner Tasha Allen present Commissioner Damont Davis. Present. All right. Thank you. And now we will have our invocation. I don't have the name of the thank you. Welcome. Thank you so much. I'm Pastor Russell from Mount Zion Baptist Church, right down the road from you guys. It's an honor to be here with you tonight. Let me pray. Please join me. Heavenly Father, we gather here today acknowledging that you are the giver of every good gift. God, the source of true wisdom. Your word tells us that if any one of us lack wisdom, we should ask you. God, we will give generally you will give us generously all without finding any fault in any one of us. And so Lord Mohammed asked tonight for your guidance during this meeting. God, we bless these commissioners with clarity of thought with the unity of spirit, with the deep sense of the responsibility for the people that they serve. God may they act justly, may they love mercy and God walk humbly with you. God as they carry out their duties in this county. God, yet we ask that your people we reign over every discussion. God, that fairness and truth would prevail in every decision. God, that compassion would be shown towards every citizen in this county. God, we thank you for the opportunity to serve for the freedom that we enjoy and for the trust that has been put on these leaders. God, may all that is done here today, may for the good of our community. God made it bring honor to you. God, we pray all this in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Attorney Reed, before we adopt the agenda, do we have any emergency items? Good evening, uh Madam Vice Chair and Board. Yes, two items. First is okay. The total amount is eight million four hundred and two thousand five hundred and seventy-five dollars. And this is a budget amendment for the sheriff's office. And it's broken down. Do you want me to take it separately or do you want me to Commissioner Hambert? Yes, I have a question on that. Yes.