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 proclamations, a sheriff's office audit update, a SPLOST update, public comments, consent agenda approvals, several regular agenda items including budget amendments, intergovernmental agreements, establishment of a Sports and Entertainment Council, and multiple zoning cases. The meeting adjourned at 9:48 PM after an executive session on litigation and personnel.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Monthly report of contracts, contract modifications, and/or change orders authorized by the Chief Procurement Officer; Rescind Recommendation to Award PSA #25-36; Award SP#25-48 GLOBE Turnout and Protective Gear – Annual Contract; Renewal of Cyber Security Liability Insurance and Excess Cyber Security Liability Insurance; Approval of RFP #23-14 Insurance Brokerage Consulting Services; Award SWC #25-103 Purchase of Panasonic Toughbooks & Accessories; Add/Delete and Reclassification – Juvenile Court; Budget Amendment 2-41 / FY25 County Wide Departments; Cash Bond Refund; Order for Remission; Resolutions 2025-104 through 2025-130 (including intergovernmental agreements, easements, MOUs, ordinance amendments, and grant acceptances).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Henry Anderson (District 3 constituent) outlined a five-category citizen performance evaluation system to hold the board and county departments accountable.
• Orlando Gooden (District 3) criticized past budget amendments, highlighted a sheriff's office underfunding of $14 million over two years, and alleged overtime misuse at the police department for chairwoman's events (360.5 hours, $30–$79/hour). He urged Commissioner Reeves to ask questions and questioned consistency in funding the sheriff.
• Leandria Johnson (District 3) commended Commissioner Allen for visiting her subdivision and introducing programs like a beautification committee and Click Clayton County.
• Mia Ballinger (District 4) advocated for improving Southern Regional Hospital's reputation and announced a respite event for parents of children with unique abilities on July 19, 2025.
• Dorothy Oaks (Clayton County resident) proposed a crocheting group called "Baby's Love Wear" to create garments for NICU babies at Southern Regional and requested board assistance in publicizing the group.
• Linda Jones (unincorporated Ellenwood) opposed truck terminal/warehouse developments at 3861 Grant Road and nearby areas, citing destructive impacts on residents.
• Antoinette Montgomery (District 1) commended EMTs from stations 1, 4, and 8 for emergency care and praised code enforcement Officer Davis, but raised concern about parked cars causing school buses to swerve into oncoming traffic.
• Mickey Garber (unincorporated Rex) noted that the mandated ethics board had not been established by January 1, 2025, calling it a public safety concern. The COO indicated an update was received at 5:30 PM that day.
• Eric Parks (unincorporated) proposed a 53-unit townhome community with 7,000 sq ft retail space in Morrow, expressing disappointment over no response from District 1 Commissioner. He also provided photos of flooding at a park.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations (4): Recognized June 2025 as National Homeownership Month (with down payment assistance up to $15,000), National Safety Month (events June 17, 24, 26, 27), Women's Veterans Day (June 12), and celebrated the grand opening of Preferred Waste Solutions (serving over 3,327 clients).
• Sheriff's Office Audit Update (DCOO Merkison): Presented final installment of the audit, focusing on potential unreported income. A bank account (Ameris #7189) with a beginning balance of $211,000 was not on finance records. Expenditures included checks to DK Suit City, Landmark Dodge, and GMC Hennessy. Of 26 vehicles totaling $1.238 million, five were purchased from Brandon Ford, four from Terry Cullen Chevrolet using checks from the Ameris account. The audit noted that county fleet maintenance should cover vehicles; these purchases bypassed normal procurement. Revenue sources were unclear; only two automatic debits from Network Communications appeared. The presenter referenced Georgia law (Lawson v. Lincoln County) requiring sheriff's revenue to be remitted to the county. Historically, vending/telecommunications revenue declined from $318,000 in FY20 to half that in FY24.
• SPLOST Update (DCOO Merkison): Project list will be built next week with department heads. Level 1 project (jail upgrades) was agreed upon at mini-retreat. Municipal population-based allocations: College Park 1.06%, Forest Park 11.28%, Jonesboro 2.96%, Morrow 3.77%, Lake City 2.25%, Riverdale 8.75%, Lovejoy 3.34%, County 66.59% (down 13% from prior). Commissioner Reeves requested a formal presentation with options for level 1 projects to inform board decision before June 23 notification to cities.
• Budget Amendment 2-41 ($19,555,903): CFO Jackson explained it recognizes revenue and reduces expenses for various county departments, some already spent. Commissioner Reeves questioned how to avoid such large year-end amendments. Jackson cited payroll loading in February and subsequent promotions/retirements.
• Resolution 2025-104 (Intergovernmental Agreement with Jonesboro for Concert Series): Approved. The concert series ("Groove on the Green") is already budgeted in Parks & Recreation; no additional fiscal impact.
• Resolution 2025-119 (MOU with Clayton State University for Data Sharing): Approved. The MOU will provide real-time data on businesses coming to Clayton County to align workforce development and curriculum. Clayton State officials expressed commitment to social mobility.
• Resolution 2025-124 (Agreement with Southern Crescent Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center): Approved. Commissioner Davis noted the relationship dates to at least 2017.
• Resolution 2025-108 (Establish Clayton County Sports and Entertainment Council): Passed 4-1 (Commissioner Allen opposed). Discussion centered on financial impact: no general fund request initially; funding from hotel/motel tax and user fees. Commissioner Allen expressed concern about potential future request of $300,000–$500,000 after one year, despite COO stating no such request. Commissioners Anderson-Henry and Davis emphasized the need for alternative revenue streams to relieve property tax burden, citing a $200 million economic impact from a volleyball tournament in Orlando.
• Zoning Cases:
  • Item 37 (Indoor amusement, Forest Park): Tabled to July 15 at applicant's request.
  • Item 38 (Warehouse/storage, 3640 Grant Road): Tabled to July 15 due to constitutional objection.
  • Item 39 (Warehouse expansion, 5088 Pine Tree St): Approved. Applicant stated no new footprint; pre-engineered building on existing concrete.
  • Item 40 (Beauty salon/braiding, 7170 Tara Blvd): Denied (motion by Commissioner Davis) due to saturation of salon services in two-mile stretch (over 20 establishments). Applicant spoke about promoting African cultural heritage and empowerment programs.
  • Items 41 & 42 (Future Land Use Map amendment and Rezoning for North Clayton High School): Approved. Supporters cited need for a new building to replace aging facility (water damage, HVAC issues). Speakers included a former teacher.

Key Outcomes

• Votes & Decisions:
  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Budget amendment 2-41 ($19,555,903) approved (vote: ayes, no nays heard).
  • Resolution 2025-104 approved (ayes, no nays heard).
  • Resolution 2025-119 approved (ayes).
  • Resolution 2025-124 approved (ayes).
  • Resolution 2025-108 (Sports Council) approved with one dissenting vote (Commissioner Allen).
  • Budget amendments 2-42 ($300,000) and 2-43 ($2,632,629) approved (ayes).
  • Board appointments (Community Service Board and Solid Waste Management Authority) held to future meetings.
  • Zoning: Item 37 tabled, Item 38 tabled, Item 39 approved, Item 40 denied, Items 41 and 42 approved.
  • Hire of Geisha Woods as Victim Services Supervisor (Grade 21, Step 25, compensation $92,692) approved.
• Next Steps:
  • SPLOST project list and level 1 project details to be presented to board before June 23.
  • Ethics board update to be provided by COO to Mr. Garber.
  • Crochet/knit group for NICU babies to be coordinated with libraries and Commissioner Allen's office.
  • Executive session held on litigation and personnel; no actions reported.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:48 PM.