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 proclamations, public comments, approval of a consent agenda with modifications, discussion and votes on several resolutions, a sheriff's office budget presentation, appointments to the MARTA Citizens Advisory Board, zoning hearings, and approval of litigation settlements.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the March 4, 2025 board minutes (note: date discrepancy in source; minutes referenced from previous meeting).
• Accepted monthly procurement report.
• Terminated contract RFP #23-14 for insurance brokerage consulting services.
• Approved contract amendment RFP #24-158 for medical examiner's office design/build.
• Awarded ITB #24-219 for Cisco IT products and services.
• Awarded ITB #25-01 fireworks annual contract (moved to regular agenda and approved).
• Approved cash bond refunds and multiple budget amendments (2-24, 2-25, 4-17, 4-18, 4-19).
• Approved Resolution 2025-42 (Clayton County Water Authority master bond resolution) with a 4-1 vote (Commissioner Reeves dissenting).
• Approved Resolution 2025-46 (Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant).
• Approved Resolution 2025-48 (Parks & Recreation summer incentive program).
• Approved Resolution 2025-49 (Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Forest Park special election).
• Approved Resolution 2025-50 (Intergovernmental Agreement with Clayton County Board of Education special election).
• Approved Resolutions 2025-54, 2025-55, 2025-56 (special event authorizations).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bishop Donald Battle urged commissioners to work together and resolve differences, praising the county's potential.
• Keith Parker shared the "stone soup" parable to emphasize collaboration.
• Ms. Ray highlighted the need for unity and learning, noting crime reduction of 22% and urging support for collaborative leadership.
• Addie Whitaker (District 1) expressed community concerns about flooding and water infrastructure, calling for transparency and accountability.
• Henry Anderson presented evaluation criteria for commissioner performance, continuing from prior meetings.
• Timothy Vondale Jefferson advocated for municipalities paying for jail usage and for seeking state surplus funds to relieve citizen burden.
• Tanya Jean Funny invited commissioners to the Women's History Month celebration on March 25, 2025.
• Orlando Gooden criticized the chair for not attending the sheriff's town hall, accused her of being "petty and vindictive," and supported Commissioner Allen's right to be in budget meetings; called for an ethics officer.
• Teresa Talley thanked code enforcement for sign removal but noted ongoing violations by DRB Homes.
• Priscilla Starworth complained about Atlanta Gas Light Company charges, seeking assistance.
• Joseph Verdon expressed support for Chairwoman Anderson-Henry, praising her transparency and leadership.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2025-51 (Ethics Attorney): Chairwoman Anderson-Henry introduced the resolution to engage an ethics attorney, citing concerns about Commissioner Allen's involvement in budget matters and jail emails. The motion failed for lack of a second.
• Resolution 2025-52 (Budget Policy): Commissioner Allen's resolution to rescind the chair's authority to set initial budgetary policy and designate a budget officer passed 3-2. Chairwoman Anderson-Henry argued it was retaliatory after she exposed alleged overtime fraud at the sheriff's office.
• Resolution 2025-53 (General Fund Fund Balance Policy): After debate, the board amended the word "shall" to "should" and approved the policy. The policy aims for a fund balance of 4–6 months of operating expenditures (approximately $104 million). Current balance is about $79 million. Commissioners discussed the need for a timeline but did not add one.
• Sheriff's Office Budget Amendment (2-28): Sheriff Levon Allen requested $14,676,303 to cover salaries, benefits, overtime, and operating expenses for the remainder of FY2025. He noted the jail holds ~1,875 inmates with only 123 correctional officers, leading to overtime and lawsuits. He stated his FY2026 budget need would be $80 million (up from $57 million), equivalent to a 2-mill tax increase. The board did not vote and instead discussed scheduling a special called meeting to further review the request.
• Zoning Hearings:
  • Item 35 (self-storage CUP) was withdrawn by the applicant.
  • Item 36 (rezoning for single-family homes on Connie Circle) was tabled to April 15, 2025, for further discussion.
  • Item 37 (digital billboard conversion) was approved without conditions.
• MARTA CAB Appointments: Alfred Dixon (District 4), Keith Parker (District 2), Ronnie Marshall Jr. (District 1 vacant seat), Ramona Bevins (District 3), and Tanika Boykin (District 4) were appointed. Several appointments were held until the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-52 (budget policy) passed 3-2, transferring initial budgetary authority from the chair to the budget officer.
• Resolution 2025-53 (fund balance policy) passed after amending "shall" to "should."
• The sheriff's $14.6 million budget amendment was not voted on; the board will schedule a special meeting.
• Four litigation settlements involving the sheriff's office were approved (total $830,000): Akina Mike ($250,000 auto accident), Carolyn Orr ($500,000 auto accident), Jabari Ferguson ($60,000 civil service), and Shanita Henderson ($20,000 civil service). One abstention recorded due to conflict of interest concerns.
• The meeting adjourned after executive session on litigation, real estate, and personnel.