Clayton County Board of Commissioners Work Session - March 10, 2026

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held a work session on March 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting covered four main agenda items: a resolution to join the Stepping Up Initiative to reduce incarceration of individuals with mental illness, a quarterly update from MARTA on ridership and capital projects, a training session on the new One Meeting software for board operations, and a request to accept a grant from the ACCG for a summer intern in Human Resources. No formal votes were taken, but the board provided direction for future action.

Stepping Up Initiative

• Monique McDonald Rex, an appointee to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board, presented a recommendation for Clayton County to pass a resolution joining the Stepping Up Initiative. She noted that about 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year and that individuals with mental health needs often cycle through the criminal justice system. The initiative provides resources and tools for cross-system collaboration.
• Rex reported that Clayton County applied for and received a Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) mapping workshop, valued at up to $35,000, which will be held on June 9, 2026. The application was rated highly due to community readiness and letters of support from Chief Roberts, the sheriff, the behavioral accountability court, and others.
• Mr. Johns, a speaker, highlighted that the initiative helps secure grants, such as Bureau of Justice grants, citing successes in Rockdale, Newton, and Fulton counties. He also announced that a behavioral health crisis center property (9.2 acres at South Lake Parkway and Mount Zion Boulevard) has been purchased and is in due diligence, with plans for a walk-in component, temporary observation, and 30-bed crisis stabilization.
• Chairwoman Anderson-Henry expressed support for decriminalizing mental health. The board discussed bringing the resolution to the next meeting; the agenda meeting is the following day. The chair noted she would speak with judges and DAs first. The item may appear on the March 17 or subsequent meeting.

MARTA Quarterly Presentation

• Interim CEO Jonathan Hunt presented the first quarter update. Ridership: bus ridership is improving slightly above pre-pandemic levels; mobility ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels and continues to grow. A new manual boarding count method began in January 2026 due to inconsistencies in the automatic fare collection system.
• Capital projects: Airport Station second elevator installed, new ride store near completion, total project $55 million. The South Lake BRT (MARTA Rapid B line) received a $60.9 million federal CIG funding earmark (not guaranteed), with design completion by January 2028 and construction solicitation in Q1 2028. A $970,000 FTA grant from 2021 funded a TOD planning study along the corridor; a draft study will be completed in summer 2026. The multi-purpose OMF facility demolition is complete, final design by end of 2026, bid in 2027. The Justice Center Transit Hub (estimated $25.4 million) will go to bid in Q3 2026, with construction in 2027–2028.
• Community engagement: Over 25 open houses for the next gen bus network (launch April 18, 2026). MARTA police recruitment at South Clayton Recreation Center attracted 60 interested candidates. As of January 2026, MARTA has 278 sworn officers (goal of 250 by end of 2025). Crime is down 21% overall, with 0 homicides, but robberies up from 2 to 3 (50% increase in context).
• Legislative priorities: House Bill 1137 to extend MARTA’s core penny sales tax from 2057 to 2067 passed the Transportation Committee unanimously on February 18 but did not reach crossover day. BRT lane enforcement camera legislation is also a priority. Without the extension, borrowing costs rise and federal grant competitiveness decreases. MARTA calculates jurisdictional sales tax contributions using proxy data (SPLOST, water/sewer), as the Department of Revenue does not provide a breakdown by jurisdiction.
• Commissioner Allen asked about rail project status: Hunt explained that rail was replaced by BRT due to high cost (~$500 million per mile), right-of-way issues with CSX, and flexibility. The 15th Amendment of the RTCAA promises high-capacity transit; BRT can later be converted to rail. Commissioner Allen also requested MARTA consider including Clayton County in the REACH microtransit program (Clayton was part of the pilot). Hunt noted two REACH zones abut Clayton and said the 16th Amendment would allow evaluation of project lists, including REACH.
• Chairwoman Anderson-Henry urged looking into personal rapid transit (PRT) and microtransit; Hunt confirmed MARTA is contributing to a PRT pilot at GICC.

One Meeting Training for Board of Commissioners

• Rachel Ramsey, senior business system administrator for IT, demonstrated the new One Meeting software. Features include: viewing agenda items and attachments, making personal notes, requesting to speak on items, and live voting with motion/second and roll call. The clerk can highlight active items, and a public kiosk allows sign-ups for comment. Live voting results can be displayed to the public.
• Commissioner Davis asked about other jurisdictions using the software; Ramsey said none nearby but offered one-on-one training for board members and public tutorials. Commissioner Hambrick suggested hosting the Clayton Advisory Board meetings in the county boardroom. The board agreed to proceed with implementation without a formal vote; further training will be arranged.

Human Resources – ACCG Grant for Summer Intern

• HR Director Pam Ambles presented that the department was selected as a grant recipient by the ACCG Civic Affairs Foundation. The grant provides $15 per hour for up to 200 hours ($3,000 maximum) plus worker’s compensation and FICA contributions. HR requests an additional $5 per hour from the county (total $20 per hour) during the internship (May to September 2026). The intern will assist with developing a digital classification plan, compensation philosophy, and SOP manual.
• Ambles noted there is no budget impact from the $5/hour request (amount to be determined with finance), and the internship can proceed without it. The item will be on the March 17, 2026 regular business meeting for approval of both the grant acceptance and the $5/hour contribution.
• Chairwoman Anderson-Henry thanked ACCG and HR for pursuing the grant.

Other Business

• Commissioner DeDavis requested that the county inspect and maintain two Clayton County welcome signs on expressways (I-85 South at Riverdale Road and I-285 at Riverdale Road). The chair directed Mr. Robbins to address.
• Commissioner DeDavis also noted that an item from the Development Authority had been requested for a previous work session but was not on the agenda, and the authority had not responded. The chair acknowledged.

Key Outcomes

• The Stepping Up Initiative resolution will be considered for the March 17 or subsequent BOC meeting. The chair will consult with judges and district attorney before adding to the agenda.
• MARTA’s presentation was informational; no action taken. The board emphasized the need to consider REACH zones and personal rapid transit in future amendments.
• One Meeting software will be implemented with one-on-one training for commissioners and public tutorials. No vote required.
• The HR grant acceptance and $5/hour contribution will be voted on at the March 17 regular meeting.
• The county will inspect and plan maintenance for the two highway welcome signs.