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 / 2:07:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

Good evening, everyone.

0:17

Good evening.

0:17

All right.

0:18

Thank you all for coming out this evening.

0:20

My um the Clayton County Board of Commissioners regular board meeting is now called to order.

0:26

The date is August 5th, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock p.m.

0:31

We will now have roll call.

0:34

That's our next item on the agenda.

0:36

Commissioner Reeves.

0:38

Alan.

0:39

All right.

0:40

Commissioner Hambrick.

0:42

Commissioner Davis.

0:43

Present.

0:44

Thank you.

0:44

All right.

0:45

Next will be our invocation and pledge of allegiance.

0:48

Tonight we have with us Pastor Joshua Goodram from the Miracle Temple Christian Ministries.

0:55

Would you please come forward?

0:56

And there and thereafter, we will have our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

1:01

Please stand.

1:07

Father, we come to you the humblest way.

1:09

We know how God.

1:10

We thank you tonight.

1:11

God, we ask you God to strengthen every hand in this in the midst of us.

1:14

God, we ask you to bless every commissioner, God.

1:16

You know them name by name, God.

1:18

God, we ask you God to move by your power tonight, God, for you said the heart of the king is in the hand of God.

1:24

And God, we ask you if there's anyone that is sick amongst us, amongst us, God, we ask you get God to heal right now.

1:30

God, we ask you to deliver and set free, God.

1:32

God, we ask you God, every Lord God, everyone that is here under the sound of my voice, God.

1:37

Let them know, though, that you are the ruler and the super ruler.

1:40

And God, we'll bless you tonight, God, and we give you the praise in Jesus' name.

1:44

We pray.

1:44

Amen.

1:45

Amen.

1:46

All right.

1:46

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

1:54

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

2:00

Thank you.

2:09

All right.

2:10

At this time, item number four will be the adoption of the agenda.

2:14

Is the are the board members?

2:15

Are there any items that you would like to move to the regular agenda?

2:19

Yes.

2:19

Um, item number 10 to the regular agenda.

2:22

All right.

2:22

So we have item number 10.

2:25

Make sure I have that item circled.

2:27

All right.

2:27

Any other board members?

2:29

Yes.

2:30

All right, Commissioner Hambrick.

2:31

Uh number 11.

2:35

Okay.

2:35

With the elections reclassification.

2:38

I would like us to discuss both of these because they were brought to us after the budget.

2:44

And we're only what 34, 35 days into the uh new budget.

2:51

Okay.

2:51

And I believe it was Commissioner Davis that recommended uh either the last meeting or before that we have like a mid-year.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis██████████████14%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Public Safety████████8%
Board Appointments███████7%
Public Comment██████6%
Senior Services█████5%
Elections███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting - February 12, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate an August 5, 2025 meeting, but the specified date for this summary is February 12, 2026.

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held a regular business meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. on February 12, 2026. The meeting included roll call, invocation, pledge of allegiance, adoption of the agenda (with several items moved to the regular agenda), presentations, public comments, consent agenda approval, discussion and voting on regular agenda items, board appointments, and an executive session. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Presentations

  • Veteran of the Month: Sergeant Beverly Evette Dorsey was honored for her service in the U.S. Army Reserve and mental health career.
  • GFWC Morrow Civic Woman's Club: Recognized for over six decades of community service, including founding the Morrow Library Branch.
  • Check Presentation: Chairwoman Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry presented $91,963.81 from the 18 Holes for Heroes Golf Tournament to support first responders.
  • SPLOST 2027 Update: DCOO Landry Merkison presented the proposed project list and timeline, including estimated collections of $412.791 million, with $60 million for jail upgrades and $352.791 million for county and municipal projects. Discussions included fleet needs, sidewalk improvements, and Panhandle Road infrastructure.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved by unanimous voice vote: adoption of the consent agenda, including approval of previous meeting minutes, contract amendments, awards, reclassifications, budget amendments, and multiple resolutions (2025-151 through 2025-160, except those moved to regular agenda).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tracy Davis Gilbert (District 1, Rex): Described a near-miss with an unmarked police vehicle using emergency lights en route to a non-emergency event. Expressed concern about officer accountability and lack of response from the sheriff. The board stated they would follow up.
  • Dr. Henry Anderson (District 3, Hampton): Lauded the county's budget book as a transparency tool and pledged to discuss it further at the next meeting.
  • Michael Brown (Jonesboro): Urged support for the Alzheimer's Services Center, a nonprofit adult daycare, noting financial struggles and the need for rebranding and grants. Stated 75% of expenses are salaries; only one patient is from Henry County; other counties do not contribute.
  • Jane Render (Executive Director, Alzheimer's Services Center): Highlighted the facility's critical need for funding, staffing, and awareness to serve clients and provide caregiver respite. Mentioned five approved respite beds that cannot open due to lack of staff.
  • David Hamrick (District 3): Thanked the county for supporting a book bag giveaway by the Clayton County Republican Party, noting positive interactions between children and first responders. Also cautioned about the county's high renter-to-owner ratio (52% renter) and tariffs affecting construction costs.
  • Tara Eberhardt, Jamika Watley, Zelphia Watley (all District 1): Questioned the authorization and timing of the removal of 12 foster children from Now Faith Apostolic Church on July 29, 2025, by fire and emergency services. They argued the children were safe and traumatized by the midnight removal. Commissioner Allen noted an open records request for the 911 call was pending. The speakers demanded transparency and accountability.

Discussion Items

  • Items 10 & 11 (Reclassifications – Transportation & Development; Elections): Moved to regular agenda by Commissioner Hambrick due to concerns about budget timing (only 35 days after budget passage). After debate, both items were removed from the agenda (motions passed 4-1) to allow offline discussions and potential discussion at a work session. No cost savings were confirmed.
  • Item 12 (Budget Amendment – Alzheimer's Services Center): $200,000 from general fund fund balance was proposed. Commissioners requested financial books to review the center's expenses before voting. Motion passed to hold the item until the August 19, 2025 meeting (unanimous).
  • Item 21 (Ordinance 2025-159 – Commercial Vehicle Parking): Amended the Quality of Life Code to allow commercial vehicles parked at an employee's residence for emergency response if authorized by the employer. Code enforcement would verify via notice of violation. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 23 (Resolution 2025-161 – Homestead Exemption Referendum): Authorized a referendum allowing voters to decide on an additional homestead exemption for disabled veterans, seniors, surviving spouses, and 100% disabled residents for five years (2026-2030). Passed unanimously.
  • Item 24 (Resolution 2025-162 – Road Renaming Dedication): Supported a road renaming event hosted by Commissioner Davis. Commissioner Hambrick opposed, citing a pending lawsuit related to the

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Good evening. All right. Thank you all for coming out this evening. My um the Clayton County Board of Commissioners regular board meeting is now called to order. The date is August 5th, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock p.m. We will now have roll call. That's our next item on the agenda. Commissioner Reeves. Alan. All right. Commissioner Hambrick. Commissioner Davis. Present. Thank you. All right. Next will be our invocation and pledge of allegiance. Tonight we have with us Pastor Joshua Goodram from the Miracle Temple Christian Ministries. Would you please come forward? And there and thereafter, we will have our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Please stand. Father, we come to you the humblest way. We know how God. We thank you tonight. God, we ask you God to strengthen every hand in this in the midst of us. God, we ask you to bless every commissioner, God. You know them name by name, God. God, we ask you God to move by your power tonight, God, for you said the heart of the king is in the hand of God. And God, we ask you if there's anyone that is sick amongst us, amongst us, God, we ask you get God to heal right now. God, we ask you to deliver and set free, God. God, we ask you God, every Lord God, everyone that is here under the sound of my voice, God. Let them know, though, that you are the ruler and the super ruler. And God, we'll bless you tonight, God, and we give you the praise in Jesus' name. We pray. 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. Thank you. All right. At this time, item number four will be the adoption of the agenda. Is the are the board members? Are there any items that you would like to move to the regular agenda? Yes. Um, item number 10 to the regular agenda. All right. So we have item number 10. Make sure I have that item circled. All right.

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