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 / 1:00:44

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners meeting is now called to order.

0:11

The date is July 1st, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock PM.

0:16

At this time, we will go move to uh roll call, district 1 here, District 3, present, district 2 here, and District 4.

0:24

Present.

0:25

Alright, thank you.

0:26

Next we will move to item number 4, adoption of the agenda.

0:29

I need a motion to adopt the agenda at this time.

0:33

And are there any um are there any of the items that need to be moved to the regular agenda as well?

0:45

I move that we adopt the uh agenda.

0:48

All right.

0:49

Can I get a second?

0:50

Second.

0:50

All right, is there any discussion at this time?

0:53

All right, are you ready for the question?

0:55

All in favor say aye.

0:56

Aye.

0:57

All opposed, any abstentions, the ayes have it, and the motion passes.

1:01

Next will be our invocation.

1:05

Yes.

1:08

Did you want me?

1:09

Oh, okay.

1:10

All right.

1:10

Um, next we will move on to um, I'm sorry, I went to the adoption first.

1:15

I'm sorry.

1:16

Next we'll uh we'll go into our invocation and our pledge of allegiance to the flag.

1:20

I'm sorry, y'all.

1:21

I skipped it.

1:21

But that's fine.

1:22

We adopted it.

1:23

We're good.

1:23

Can we go?

1:24

All right, we're good.

1:25

All right, and so um I'm sorry, our um our invocation will be done by Miss Evelyn Nieves, and she's the apostle of Nia Son De Fa Atlanta.

1:41

All right, thank you.

1:42

All right, and then we would uh stand up for our pledge.

1:45

Would you please stand for our invocation first?

1:47

All right, let's get to I wanted to make uh an announcement since Clayton County is a county uh rich in diversity, and we have we have residents from every corner of the world.

1:58

Uh tonight's invocation will be presented in Spanish and English.

2:08

God bless everyone and thank you for the invitation.

2:12

It's an honor to be in this meeting representando al Padre, representing the father.

2:16

Yo sé que Dios tiene planes maravillosos con ustedes.

2:19

Padre Néstor que está en los cielos.

2:21

Heavily called us in heaven.

2:22

Te doy las gracias por esta reunión for this meeting.

2:25

But you're in the midst of everything.

2:31

Yes, Padre.

2:32

And in this hour, aquí una reunión muy importante.

2:35

A beautiful important meeting.

2:44

And in this day, este grupo está buscando tus instrucciones.

2:50

Y yo lo creo.

2:55

Un día donde tu misericordia, tu amor, tus instrucciones.

3:02

Padre, gracias porque tú bendices esta reunión.

3:05

Thank you because you bless you.

3:06

Yo te pido que tu sabiduría.

3:08

Your wisdom.

3:09

Tus instrucciones.

3:14

Bendice este lugar con tu presencia.

3:17

Que todo lo que se abre en este lugar.

3:21

In el nombre de Jesús.

3:23

Te doy gracias, Jesús.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment████████████████████████24%
Data Center Regulation███████████████15%
Procedural██████████10%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Public Hearing██████████10%
Property Tax███████7%
Board Appointments█████5%
Veteran Services████4%
Voter Registration████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, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, public comments, consent agenda, and votes on several resolutions and appointments. The agenda reflected the meeting date as July 1, 2025, but the summary follows the provided meeting date of February 12, 2026.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • Veteran of the Month: Officer Eric Bell II (U.S. Navy) was honored for his service. State Representative Eric Bell was recognized.
  • Proclamation: July was proclaimed as Parks and Recreation Month. Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Horn and board members thanked the commission for support.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Henry Anderson (District 3): Congratulated the board on passing a budget with a rollback millage rate (14.579 mills, no tax increase). Questioned Commissioner Allen's abstention from the budget vote, suggesting it may be due to conflict of interest with her husband (Sheriff) or displeasure with the budget.
  • Deirdre Coopwood (Jonesboro): Thanked the chair's office for correcting a tax bill error (quadrupled amount). Praised Commissioner Allen for communication.
  • Orlando Gooden (District 3): Criticized lack of transparency in budget amendments, cuts to sheriff's office (39 correction officers), and increased travel expenses. Accused board of incompetence and corruption.
  • Mickey Garber (Rex, GA): Questioned the $14,000/month contract with Midnight Rider Consulting (Resolution 2025-131) and demanded performance-based renewal. Identified the consultants in the audience.
  • Tanya Jean Funny (unincorporated Clayton County): Encouraged voting in the Public Service Commission runoff election (July 7-11) and warned of voter purges.
  • Maybelle Rivers (Riverdale): Expressed difficulty paying property taxes. Chairwoman noted no tax increase is advertised and directed her to the COO for assistance.
  • State Representative Sandra Scott (District 76): Raised issue of $800 water bills at apartments managed by Wil Wilh associates. Asked board to investigate and stop doing business with the management company.
  • Carol Yancey (Rex, GA): Alleged misuse of taxpayer funds for attorney fees in lawsuits, personal inauguration catering, and a legislative liaison position (Centel Brown). Claimed county property was sold to nonprofits for $1 without proper process.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously: minutes of June 17 and June 24 meetings, contract amendment (RFP 15-11), contract termination (RFP #21-176), rescind award (PSA #25-38), and multiple resolutions (2025-106, 2025-133, 2025-135, 2025-136, 2025-137, 2025-138, 2025-139).

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 2025-131 – Professional Services Agreement with Midnight Rider Consulting: Proposed a $14,000/month ( $168,000 annually) lobbying and economic development consulting contract. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
  • Public Hearing – Resolution 2025-134 (abandonment of Dunn Road right-of-way): Developers (TA Ellenwood) sought to abandon 1.862 acres of road adjacent to a data center. Speakers questioned tax payments and use. Commissioner Davis noted tax abatement through Development Authority (10 years) and that water usage is minimal (closed-loop cooling). After discussion, the motion to approve failed 3-2 (three nays).

Appointments

  • Community Service Board – Appointment held to August 5, 2026 (next meeting) due to no candidate.
  • Library Board – Term replacement for Shabon Pleming: Sharnish Shaw Williams appointed unanimously (Commissioner Allen's recommendation).
  • Board of Elections and Registration – Replacement for Gina Delaney: Maggie Martinez appointed unanimously (Commissioner Allen's recommendation).

Executive Session & Adjournment

The board moved into executive session for litigation and personnel, then reconvened and adjourned.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-131 (Midnight Rider Consulting) failed (no second).
  • Resolution 2025-134 (Dunn Road abandonment) failed (3-2 vote).
  • Library Board and Elections Board appointments approved.
  • Community Service Board appointment deferred to August 5, 2026.
  • Meeting adjourned after executive session.

Meeting Transcript

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners meeting is now called to order. The date is July 1st, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock PM. At this time, we will go move to uh roll call, district 1 here, District 3, present, district 2 here, and District 4. Present. Alright, thank you. Next we will move to item number 4, adoption of the agenda. I need a motion to adopt the agenda at this time. And are there any um are there any of the items that need to be moved to the regular agenda as well? I move that we adopt the uh agenda. All right. Can I get a second? Second. All right, is there any discussion at this time? 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 will be our invocation. Yes. Did you want me? Oh, okay. All right. Um, next we will move on to um, I'm sorry, I went to the adoption first. I'm sorry. Next we'll uh we'll go into our invocation and our pledge of allegiance to the flag. I'm sorry, y'all. I skipped it. But that's fine. We adopted it. We're good. Can we go? All right, we're good. All right, and so um I'm sorry, our um our invocation will be done by Miss Evelyn Nieves, and she's the apostle of Nia Son De Fa Atlanta. All right, thank you. All right, and then we would uh stand up for our pledge. Would you please stand for our invocation first? All right, let's get to I wanted to make uh an announcement since Clayton County is a county uh rich in diversity, and we have we have residents from every corner of the world. Uh tonight's invocation will be presented in Spanish and English. God bless everyone and thank you for the invitation. It's an honor to be in this meeting representando al Padre, representing the father. Yo sé que Dios tiene planes maravillosos con ustedes. Padre Néstor que está en los cielos. Heavily called us in heaven. Te doy las gracias por esta reunión for this meeting. But you're in the midst of everything. Yes, Padre. And in this hour, aquí una reunión muy importante. A beautiful important meeting. And in this day, este grupo está buscando tus instrucciones. Y yo lo creo.

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