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 / 2:02:00

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Regular business meeting of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners.

0:10

It is now called to order.

0:12

The date is January 29th, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock PM.

0:17

At this time, I will do roll call for the commissioners.

0:21

District 1.

0:23

District 2.

0:24

I'm here.

0:26

District 3.

0:27

Present.

0:28

District 4.

0:29

Present.

0:29

And Chairwoman, I am here and present.

0:32

At this time, we will have our invocation that will be given by Pastor Dante Long of C Planters Community COGIC, located in Jonesboro, Georgia.

0:43

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

0:47

Would you please stand?

0:55

Everyone will bow your heads.

0:58

Gracious God, on this evening, we are so thankful to be yet among the living.

1:04

And also we're so grateful that we've made it here to this place safely.

1:09

And tonight, as we continue in this meeting, I pray that your presence will continue to be in this room, and that you would allow the gift of administration to flow freely.

1:23

And also that peace may abound throughout this place.

1:28

That is our prayer.

1:32

We call Jesus the Christ.

1:34

Amen.

1:42

And to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:50

Amen.

2:00

Good evening, everyone.

2:01

Welcome to our January 29th, 2025 regular business meeting.

2:05

The first order of business is the adoption of the agenda.

2:08

Do any board members have any amendments during this time?

2:14

Um I do.

2:15

I would like to pull item 11, and it's not an amendment.

2:18

We're just gonna pull it at this time and add it to our um to another agenda.

2:23

Would you like to speak on that?

2:24

Attorney Attorney Reed.

2:30

Uh good evening, uh Madam Chair, um, Madam Vice Chair and uh board.

2:37

Uh item 11 is actually a home rule ordinance, and it requires a certain time and advertising within a certain uh time period, and so because we had to move the meeting for weather purposes from the 21st to today.

2:55

There's not enough time between well, first of all, it has to be a regular meeting, and this is not a regular meeting, and also it's within a short period of time, less than the time that you would need to be able to home do a home rule amendment.

3:07

So this will be on the fourth and then again on the 18th, and there's advertisements that uh will run to reflect that.

3:16

All right.

3:17

Any questions at this time, board members?

3:19

All right.

3:20

At this time, I need a motion to adopt the agenda.

3:22

Hold on to motion to remove.

3:26

Oh, second, I'm sorry.

3:26

Can I get a second on the motion to remove?

3:28

Second.

3:29

All right.

3:30

Uh any discussion.

3:32

All right.

3:33

Well, yes.

3:35

Is this item being removed until the next meeting?

3:39

Yes, it's actually going, it's already going to be on the meeting for the fourth.

3:44

Okay.

3:45

Schedule for that already, but now we're adding it again to the 18th because we're taking it off this meeting.

3:51

Okay.

3:52

So that we can have the two read at the regular meetings and the advertisement as required by uh the home rule requirements.

4:02

The Constitution.

4:02

Okay.

4:04

All in favor say aye.

4:06

Aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████████30%
Public Comment████████████████████████24%
Affordable Housing█████████████████████21%
Procedural███████7%
Public Hearing████4%
Refuse Control████4%
Public Engagement██2%
Veteran Services██2%
Board Appointments██2%
Summary of Proceedings

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

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting on February 12, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM, with all commissioners present. Key actions included approval of the consent agenda with modifications, a proclamation honoring a local civil rights advocate, extensive public comments on House Bill 581 and other community concerns, and a high-profile zoning denial for an apartment complex on Mount Zion Boulevard. The board also approved board appointments, a conditional use permit, and several litigation settlements.

Consent Calendar

  • The agenda was adopted after pulling Item 11 (Ordinance 2025-16 regarding pension buyback) and moving Item 13 (Resolution 2025-18 regarding tax penalty waivers) to the regular agenda. The consent agenda was then approved with those adjustments.
  • Items approved under the consent agenda included: approval of January 7, 2025 board minutes; monthly contract/change order report; contract amendment for auditing services; name change for engineering contract; ratification of repairs to the Justice Complex; Budget Amendment 4-13 / SPLOST 2015; and several resolutions (2025-12 through 2025-17) covering intergovernmental agreements, trauma equipment grants, police canine retirement, lighting upgrades, payment methods for the tax commissioner, and tax penalty waivers (the latter moved to regular agenda).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Henry Anderson (Hampton, unincorporated) praised the recent board retreat and Commissioner Allen’s town hall on HB 581, and announced a future evaluation system for addressing citizen concerns.
  • Ms. Ray (Hampton) urged the board to listen to citizens on HB 581, commending Commissioner Allen for holding a town hall and expressing disappointment in other commissioners’ lack of study on the issue.
  • Priscilla Stallworth (Ellenwood) described a large increase in her Atlanta Gas Light bill despite reduced usage and requested assistance; the Chair referred her to the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for follow-up.
  • Orlando Gooding (District 3) questioned why the board held a retreat in DeKalb County rather than locally, and asked about the purchase of a $150,000 Denali vehicle, calling for transparency.
  • Atonia Jean Funny (unincorporated) thanked supporters from her commission run, denied any backroom deals, and promoted a Robert’s Rules training for board members.
  • Leonard Jones (unincorporated) complained about trash pickup issues with TNR South, noting code enforcement visits but no resolution; the Chair referred the matter to Commissioner Hambrick.
  • Judith Cotton (District 4) advocated for a VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) program in Clayton County, noting nearby counties have it; Commissioner Davis offered to follow up.
  • Carol Yancey (Rex) questioned the approval of a $150,000 Denali and a $5,000 food purchase without board authorization, alleged violations of county purchasing ordinances, and pressed the board on its position regarding HB 581 opt-out.
  • Mickey Garber (Rex) expressed confusion over HB 581 and opposed state mandates, supporting home rule. He later opposed the zoning application for Mount Zion Boulevard, citing traffic and overcrowded schools.
  • Helen Whitlock (area unspecified) thanked the county for responding to trash and tire dumping issues in Valley High subdivision, and asked for clarity on how HB 581 would affect homestead exemptions.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation for Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport: The board honored the life of the 98-year-old retired educator and civil rights advocate, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama. Family members accepted the proclamation.
  • Resolution 2025-18 (Tax Penalty Waivers): Moved from consent to regular agenda. Commissioner Davis sought clarification; staff explained it authorizes the Tax Commissioner to waive penalties case-by-case for hardships. The resolution is a standard four-year renewal. Approved unanimously.
  • Board Appointments:
    • BZA (Glory McCain reappointed, unanimous).
    • Elections and Registration Board (Arvest Walker appointed, approved 4–0).
    • Parks and Recreation Advisory (Tanya Jean Funny appointed, unanimous).
  • Zoning Hearings:
    • Items 18 & 19 (FLUM & Rezoning for 6857 Mt Zion Blvd): Applicant sought to change land use from General Commercial to High Density Residential and rezone to RM for an apartment complex. Staff and the Zoning Advisory Group recommended denial due to incompatibility with the comprehensive plan. Public opposition cited overdevelopment of apartments, traffic, school overcrowding, and desire for commercial growth. The applicant argued the site is economically unviable for commercial use due to topography and floodplain. Commissioner Reeves made a motion to deny both items, passing unanimously.
    • Item 20 (Conditional Use Permit for ADU at 1511 E Fayetteville Rd): The accessory dwelling unit was built in 1957 and needs interior renovation. Staff recommended approval with a condition that non-compliance issues (size and square footage limits) be addressed by the BZA. Commissioner Hambrick moved approval; passed unanimously.
  • Litigation Settlements: The board approved four settlements arising from an October 23, 2023 traffic incident: Katie Martinez ($38,000), Kenea Martinez ($31,000), Monica Perez for Hector Matut ($10,000), and Kevin Clarett ($27,000). Commissioner Allen abstained on the Clarett settlement due to a conflict of interest (sheriff is spouse). The other settlements passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved with Item 11 tabled and Item 13 moved to regular agenda.
  • Proclamation presented to the family of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport.
  • Resolution 2025-18 approved (tax penalty waiver authority for Tax Commissioner).
  • Board appointments confirmed: Glory McCain (BZA), Arvest Walker (Elections), Tanya Jean Funny (Parks).
  • Zoning denial: Future Land Use Map amendment and rezoning for 6857 Mt Zion Blvd (apartment complex) denied unanimously.
  • Conditional use permit approved for ADU at 1511 E Fayetteville Rd, subject to BZA variances.
  • Four litigation settlements approved totaling $106,000; one abstention on the Clarett settlement.
  • Executive session held on real estate and litigation matters.

Meeting Transcript

Regular business meeting of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. It is now called to order. The date is January 29th, 2025, and the time is 6 o'clock PM. At this time, I will do roll call for the commissioners. District 1. District 2. I'm here. District 3. Present. District 4. Present. And Chairwoman, I am here and present. At this time, we will have our invocation that will be given by Pastor Dante Long of C Planters Community COGIC, located in Jonesboro, Georgia. And thereafter, we will have our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Would you please stand? Everyone will bow your heads. Gracious God, on this evening, we are so thankful to be yet among the living. And also we're so grateful that we've made it here to this place safely. And tonight, as we continue in this meeting, I pray that your presence will continue to be in this room, and that you would allow the gift of administration to flow freely. And also that peace may abound throughout this place. That is our prayer. We call Jesus the Christ. Amen. And to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Amen. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our January 29th, 2025 regular business meeting. The first order of business is the adoption of the agenda. Do any board members have any amendments during this time? Um I do. I would like to pull item 11, and it's not an amendment. We're just gonna pull it at this time and add it to our um to another agenda. Would you like to speak on that? Attorney Attorney Reed. Uh good evening, uh Madam Chair, um, Madam Vice Chair and uh board. Uh item 11 is actually a home rule ordinance, and it requires a certain time and advertising within a certain uh time period, and so because we had to move the meeting for weather purposes from the 21st to today. There's not enough time between well, first of all, it has to be a regular meeting, and this is not a regular meeting, and also it's within a short period of time, less than the time that you would need to be able to home do a home rule amendment. So this will be on the fourth and then again on the 18th, and there's advertisements that uh will run to reflect that. All right. Any questions at this time, board members? All right. At this time, I need a motion to adopt the agenda. Hold on to motion to remove. Oh, second, I'm sorry. Can I get a second on the motion to remove? Second. All right. Uh any discussion. All right. Well, yes.

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