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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

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 / 2:03:18

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

Clayton County Board of Commissioners regular call regular call business meeting is now called to order.

0:11

The date is May 20th, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock p.m.

0:16

All right, we'll next do roll call, district one, district three, present, district two, and district four.

0:24

Present.

0:25

All right, great.

0:26

Next, we'll move on into our invocation.

0:28

Our invocation tonight will be by Pastor Sabra Skidmore of the chat of Chapel of Jonesboro.

0:36

And following our invocation, we will have the pledge of allegiance to our flag.

0:41

Would you please stand for our invocation?

0:43

And welcome, Pastor Skidmore.

0:45

Thank you.

0:47

Father, we thank you for this night.

0:49

We thank you for everyone who has gathered here together, Lord, to express their feelings, perhaps make decisions that would make Clayton County a better place.

0:59

I pray your blessing on each one of our commissioners, on each person that sits on the board.

1:06

Father, I ask that you would anoint the ears to listen to understand and not just to respond.

1:14

I pray that your direction, your wisdom will be present in this place, and in all this we ask in Jesus' name, amen.

1:22

Amen.

1:22

All right.

1:23

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:31

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:37

Amen.

1:40

All right.

1:41

Before we adopt our agenda, board members, I would like to pull item 19 from the regular agenda.

1:47

And we discussed at our work session that we would allow Miss Clemens to come at our next work session, which will be on June 10th, and then possibly a vote will be done based on what the board would like to do on June 17th.

2:01

So this time I've made a motion to again pull item 19.

2:05

Can I get a second?

2:06

Second.

2:07

All right.

2:08

Any discussion at this time?

2:09

Yes, I have a question for the attorney.

2:11

Um so June 10th is also the scheduled date for the budget hearing.

2:17

Is that correct?

2:18

Or the budget committee, once we meet again and discuss the calendar, it's not it's not completely set yet, but it's going to be June 10th.

2:27

All right.

2:28

Will that interfere if June 10th is the scheduled budget hearing date while having a presentation?

2:35

Will that interfere?

2:36

No, no.

2:37

Okay, thank you.

2:39

All right.

2:39

Any other questions at this time, board members?

2:42

Are you ready for the question?

2:43

All in favor, say aye.

2:44

Aye.

2:45

All opposed.

2:46

Any abstentions?

2:47

The ayes have it, and the motion passes.

2:50

All right, at this time we will move to adopt the agenda.

2:53

Does any board members have any items that they'd like to move to the regular agenda?

2:58

All right.

2:59

Yes.

3:01

All right.

3:02

What number would you like to move, Commissioner Reeves?

3:04

I would like to move item 13 and item 16 from the consent agenda to the regular agenda.

3:15

All right.

3:16

You said 13 and 15.

3:18

Uh 16.

3:21

13 and 16.

3:23

I'm sorry, 16.

3:24

Oh, right.

3:25

13 and 16.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████████████34%

Personnel Matters██████████████████18%

Procedural████████████12%

Public Comment████████8%

Fiscal Sustainability██████6%

Special Service Districts████4%

Legal Compliance███3%

Senior Services███3%

Board Appointments███3%

Summary of Proceedings

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, adjourning at 9:14 PM. The meeting covered a SPLOST update, a detailed audit of the Sheriff's Office overtime and finances, several zoning cases, board appointments, and a personnel action. Key decisions included approval of a stream buffer variance, withdrawal of a conditional use permit, tabling of two conditional use permits, acceptance of final plats for subdivisions, and approval of a mental health court coordinator hire.

Consent Calendar

Approved the May 6, 2025 Regular Board meeting minutes and May 13, 2025 Special Called Meeting minutes.
Approved monthly report of contracts, contract modifications, and change orders.
Approved contract: Lighting Service Agreement for Clayton County.
Approved contract amendment: SS #17-138 ImageTrend Software Licensing.
Approved contract amendment: ITB #24-56 Demolition and Installation of Concession and Restroom Buildings.
Approved contract amendment: ITB #24-113 Construction of Fire Station #15.
Approved award: ITB #25-16 Tree Removal Services.
Approved termination of contract: RFP #23-14 Insurance Brokerage Consulting Services for Employee Benefits.
Approved Budget Amendments 4-21, 4-22, and 2-39 / FY25 EMS.
Adopted Resolution 2025-96 designating a Budget Officer.
Adopted Resolution 2025-97 (MOU with Victory in Christ Ministries for clothing donation boxes at libraries).
Adopted Resolution 2025-98 (MOU with Karing Heartz CDC for free lunch/snacks at libraries).
Adopted Resolution 2025-99 (Aging Subgrant with Atlanta Regional Commission for senior transportation).
Adopted Resolution 2025-103 (applying for ARC Freight Cluster Plan grant).

Public Comments & Testimony

Dr. Henry Anderson presented a color-coded evaluation system for commissioners, urging them to improve their conduct.
Mary Savage (Riverdale) complained about a neighbor's noise nuisance, vehicles with no tags, and lack of code enforcement response; the chairwoman directed her to speak with enforcement staff after the meeting.
Veronica Richardson (Riverdale) stated she could not reach her district commissioner (Commissioner Davis) and said issues were resolved only after contacting another commissioner.
Kyrat Cower (former HOA president) requested that grant opportunities be made available to homeowner associations, noting success under a previous chair.
Mickey Garber (unincorporated Rex) objected to a sign for Lake Harbin Townhomes showing $299,900 instead of the promised $300,000+; he demanded the sign be changed.

Discussion Items

SPLOST Update (DCOO Landry Merkison): Asked the board for direction on whether to include a Level 1 (countywide) project in the 2026 SPLOST referendum and how to handle the citizen committee process given a compressed timeline (must have project list by August 5, 2026). Board discussion noted that a county health department facility could be considered a Level 1 project. No decision was made; direction requested for the next work session.
Sheriff's Audit Update (DCOO Landry Merkison): Presented findings on overtime usage, showing 152,906 overtime hours in calendar year 2024 costing $5.539 million; 114 employees had over 500 hours, one had over 2,000 hours. For 2025 through May 16, 58,000 hours costing $2.198 million. Many timecards showed manual entries by third parties rather than employees. Financial documents requested (bank statements, grand jury presentments) were not provided. Outstanding invoices total $8.372 million; $5.965 million are in hand, $2.406 million anticipated. Some invoices lacked detail (e.g., prisoner transport invoices with lump sums). The board discussed the impact on budget completion. Commissioner Allen requested all departments provide contracts and invoices for the FY26 budget process.
Agenda Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance 2025-73): Presented by Commissioner Alaina Reaves; stated that this presentation was made at the last work session, so no further discussion needed. Ordinance was approved.
Stream Buffer Variance (3851 Twin Ridge Lane): Applicant requested a 50-foot stream buffer instead of 75-foot to build a house. Community Development explained the current buffers make the lot unbuildable. No public opposition. Variance was approved via Resolution 2025-100.
Conditional Use Permit – Convenience Store with Fuel (3480 Mt Zion Rd): Applicant requested withdrawal; board accepted the withdrawal.
Conditional Use Permit – Indoor Amusement/Recreation (5442 Frontage Rd): Applicant not present; staff recommended tabling. Board tabled to June 17, 2026.
Conditional Use Permit – Modular Space Storage (3640 Grant Rd): Applicant (Williams Scotsman) argued use is less intense than existing truck parking permit and has operated in county for 30 years. Staff and ZAG recommended denial due to incompatibility with comprehensive plan's MXI designation, proximity to residential, and narrow roads. Public opposition cited safety and devaluation concerns. Board tabled to June 17, 2026.
Final Plats: Accepted public improvements and final plat for Norman Drive Townhomes Subdivision; accepted final plat and street acceptance for Lake Harbin Townhomes Subdivision (60 townhomes).
Board Appointments:
- Community Service Board: Yasmine Neil appointed (term ends June 30, 2028).
- Community Service Board: Junior Jackson's reappointment held to June 17, 2026.
- Community Service Board: Paula Hook reappointed (term ends June 30, 2028).
- Community Service Board: Ansel George Davis's replacement held to June 3, 2026.
- Housing Authority: Robert Payne reappointed at previous meeting; confirmed.
- Library Board of Trustees: Lauren Pines not reappointed; held to June 3, 2026 (note: term corrected to 3 years, ending June 30, 2028).
- Parks and Recreation: James Hallaru reappointed (term ends June 30, 2030).
- Solid Waste Management Authority: Two appointments held to June 17, 2026.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda: Approved by unanimous vote.
Stream Buffer Variance (Resolution 2025-100): Approved unanimously.
Conditional Use Permit for Convenience Store (BOC-2502-0479): Withdrawal accepted unanimously.
Conditional Use Permit for Indoor Amusement (BOC-2502-0483): Tabled to June 17, 2026, by unanimous vote.
Conditional Use Permit for Modular Storage (BOC-2410-0459): Tabled to June 17, 2026, by unanimous vote.
Ordinance 2025-73 (Agenda Amendment): Approved unanimously.
Resolution 2025-102 (Juneteenth celebration at International Park): Approved unanimously.
Special Personnel Action: Hire of Sasha Green as Adult Mental Health Court Program Coordinator at $75,000 salary (increase from $64,555); grant-funded position with $14,744 from general fund; approved unanimously.
Executive Session: Board entered closed session for litigation and personnel matters.

Meeting Transcript

Clayton County Board of Commissioners regular call regular call business meeting is now called to order. The date is May 20th, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock p.m. All right, we'll next do roll call, district one, district three, present, district two, and district four. Present. All right, great. Next, we'll move on into our invocation. Our invocation tonight will be by Pastor Sabra Skidmore of the chat of Chapel of Jonesboro. And following our invocation, we will have the pledge of allegiance to our flag. Would you please stand for our invocation? And welcome, Pastor Skidmore. Thank you. Father, we thank you for this night. We thank you for everyone who has gathered here together, Lord, to express their feelings, perhaps make decisions that would make Clayton County a better place. I pray your blessing on each one of our commissioners, on each person that sits on the board. Father, I ask that you would anoint the ears to listen to understand and not just to respond. I pray that your direction, your wisdom will be present in this place, and in all this we ask in Jesus' name, amen. Amen. All right. 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. Amen. All right. Before we adopt our agenda, board members, I would like to pull item 19 from the regular agenda. And we discussed at our work session that we would allow Miss Clemens to come at our next work session, which will be on June 10th, and then possibly a vote will be done based on what the board would like to do on June 17th. So this time I've made a motion to again pull item 19. Can I get a second? Second. All right. Any discussion at this time? Yes, I have a question for the attorney. Um so June 10th is also the scheduled date for the budget hearing. Is that correct? Or the budget committee, once we meet again and discuss the calendar, it's not it's not completely set yet, but it's going to be June 10th. All right. Will that interfere if June 10th is the scheduled budget hearing date while having a presentation? Will that interfere? No, no. Okay, thank you. All right. Any other questions at this time, board members? Are you ready for the question? All in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed. Any abstentions? The ayes have it, and the motion passes. All right, at this time we will move to adopt the agenda. Does any board members have any items that they'd like to move to the regular agenda? All right. Yes.

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