Clayton County Board of Commissioners Work Session - February 12, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting took place on March 11, 2025, but the user instructed to use the date February 12, 2026 for this summary. The following summary reflects the content of the March 11, 2025 meeting as transcribed.

This work session covered updates from MARTA, a funding request from the Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) for its strategic master plan, staffing and resource needs from the Circuit Public Defender, and a proposed fund balance policy for the county general fund. Commissioners also discussed adding a resolution to provide part-time employees pay during emergent closures.

Preliminary Items

• Commissioner Hamburg requested the board consider a resolution to treat part-time employees the same as full-time employees during emergent closures, after several part-time workers were not paid during a recent three-day closure. Staff will prepare a presentation and resolution for the March 18 board meeting.

Discussion Items

MARTA Q1 Quarterly Briefing for 2025

• General Manager Collie Greenwood presented ridership trends, noting a technical error with fare gates caused a reported dip in rail ridership—now corrected. Capital projects highlighted: South Lake BRT ($356M, revenue service by 2030), SR 54 BRT (25-mile corridor, planning charrette held March 11), operations/maintenance facility ($289M, completion August 2029), and Justice Center Transit Hub ($22M, completion December 2026). Community engagement included STEM Day at Eddie White Middle Academy and a permanent Gooder microtransit pilot in Clayton County. Commissioner Reeves thanked MARTA for relocating a bus stop 0.3 miles at a constituent's request. The Chair commended MARTA for exploring multiple transit modes (microtransit, PRT, light rail, BRT) to serve both urban and rural areas.

Clayton County Water Authority – Strategic Master Plan Funding

• CEO Bernard Franks requested board approval for a master bond resolution to issue up to $950 million in debt to fund approximately $1.04 billion in capital projects, including advanced water treatment for PFOS/PFAS to meet EPA 2029 deadlines, system capacity upgrades, AMI (advanced metering infrastructure), and infrastructure renewal. He emphasized that the county has no financial obligation; the debt is solely on CCWA. Without debt, rate increases could reach 26%; with debt, planned increases are 8% in 2026, then 6% and 5%. Commissioners asked about phasing debt issuance; Franks explained a single authorization allows locking in lower rates and avoids repeated approvals. Commissioner Allen requested clarification on rate impact; CFO Alison Heron confirmed projected increases. Commissioners also highlighted upcoming CCWA community events: a "Behind the Flow" workshop and hazardous household waste collection.

Circuit Public Defender Update

• Circuit Public Defender Doug Smith presented operational challenges: 6,187 cases opened in 2024 (719 juvenile), with only 11 attorneys in Superior Court (recommended 15) and 2 in juvenile. The ABA recommends 150 felony cases per attorney; Clayton County averages 497 in Superior Court. Current open caseload is ~7,900. He requested funding for additional attorneys (3 for Superior Court, 2 for first appearance hearings) to meet the 72-hour requirement for initial attorney contact, reduce jail costs, and prevent turnover. Smith noted that 40 felony cases enter the jail daily; early identification of medical/mental health issues and fast-track plea negotiations save the county money. ARPA funds ending soon may force layoffs. Commissioners asked about current staffing numbers; Smith confirmed 11 in Superior Court, 3 in State Court, 2 in Juvenile, plus one provisional attorney awaiting bar results. He stressed urgency to hire now before bar exam results in August.

General Fund Balance Policy

• Finance Director Stacey Merritt presented options for a formal fund balance policy. Current budget book language calls for 10% of operating revenues, which she deemed insufficient. Options: (1) modify budget book language to set a range of 4–6 months of operating expenses ($112–156M), or (2) adopt a resolution. Financial advisor recommends 30% of revenues, in line with the 4–6 month range. Commissioners expressed support for adopting a resolution with the 4–6 month operating expense target. Commissioner Reeves asked for notation on agenda items that affect fund balance to track progress toward the goal. Merritt noted that budget amendments already indicate appropriations from fund balance. The Chair reminded that policy decisions may require fund balance use, but it should be transparent. Consensus to move forward with a resolution for the March 18 board meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Part-time pay resolution: Staff to include in agenda for March 18 meeting; presentation to the board, then resolution for vote.
• MARTA briefing: No vote taken; information received.
• CCWA master bond resolution: Request for support; no vote at work session, but board will consider at March 18 meeting. Commissioners expressed general support but asked clarifying questions.
• Public Defender funding: No vote; request to be considered in budget process. Commissioners acknowledged the need.
• Fund balance policy: Board consensus to adopt a resolution setting fund balance at 4–6 months of operating expenses. Staff will prepare resolution for March 18 meeting.