Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting – April 7, 2026

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners convened for a regular business meeting at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, chaired by Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry. The meeting included proclamations, a legislative update, public comments, consent agenda approval, regular agenda items with appointments and budget-related resolutions, an executive session, and personnel actions. The meeting adjourned at 9:34 PM.

Presentations & Proclamations

• National Library Week (April 19–25, 2026): The Chairwoman proclaimed the week, highlighting library services and summer reading programs. Director Scott Parham invited residents to visit branches.
• Veteran of the Month: Senior Airman Kinsley Pierre was recognized for his service in the U.S. Air Force, including deployments to Spain, the Philippines, and Qatar, and his continued community involvement.
• Safe Dig Month (April 2026): A proclamation urged contractors and homeowners to call 811 before digging to protect underground utilities. Director Keith Rohling explained the initiative.
• HB 942 & Legislative Update: Boyd Pettett of Georgia Link Public Affairs Group presented an update on House Bill 942, which would require Atlanta’s airport to contribute taxes to Clayton County. The bill passed House committees but failed to reach a floor vote and was recommitted. Pettett noted that some local delegation members opposed the bill. He also reported that HB 1215 (a sixth superior court judge for Clayton County) passed and is funded for half a year starting January 1, 2027. Commissioners asked about next steps regarding negotiations with Atlanta; Chief Operating Officer Stanford outlined strategies (e.g., payment in lieu of taxes, legislative action). The possibility of repealing a prior bill that blocked Clayton County from collecting taxes on airport concessionaires was also discussed.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (5-0). It included:

• Approval of March 17, 2026 regular meeting minutes and March 30, 2026 special called meeting minutes.
• Revised Administrative Services Agreement with Marsh McLennan Agency/UMR for employee benefits (RFP #23-14).
• Award of ITB #26-02 for 2026 SPLOST milling and resurfacing of streets in Districts 1-4 to E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. ($8,887,650.65).
• Budget Amendments 2-42 to 2-45: $600,000 for legal fees; $1,153,500 for street light fund utilities; $115,000 for mail meter fees; and allocation for Keep Clayton County Beautiful affiliation.
• Order for Remission in State of Georgia v. Antonio Billinger ($3,205.00).
• Resolutions 2026-67 through 2026-72 and 2026-75: library scholarship, MOU with Jonesboro for building permits (later moved to regular agenda), police forfeited vehicle, Safe Streets for All grant, Title VI Plan re-adoption, Water Authority MOU for storm water inspection, and renaming Sector 2 precinct to Sherman D. Lemon Police Precinct.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Anderson (District 3) praised recent county events and urged the board not to rescind the budget committee, calling the prior 5-0 vote on Resolution 2025-75 a moment of unity.
• Sabra Skidmore (District 3) expressed concern over board division and urged transparency, asking the board not to rescind the budget committee.
• Shirley Smith (District 4) offered a brief statement about character and clean governance.
• Chris Gallagher (District 4) called for higher-quality, maintenance-free homes for elderly residents and criticized builders for using cheap materials.
• China McLean (District 2) organized six days of service for National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 20–25), citing 7,713 reported crime victims and a grieving mother who was given only six minutes by the DA’s office.
• Danielle Hillman (District 4) echoed support for victims’ rights week, emphasizing community healing.
• Cornell Madison (District 4) criticized spending items (e.g., $18,302 on meals, $800 Walmart in Alabama) and called for a full audit. He also complained that District 3 is unrepresented because the commissioner is married to the sheriff.
• Gertrude (District 3, Riverdale) advocated for more transparency, beautification projects, and against further dollar stores. She asked for names of delegation members who opposed HB 942.
• Daryl Baylor and Jacqueline Young (District 4, Collins Drive) requested a full stop condition on Collins Drive to address speeding and pedestrian safety, noting emails to the Transportation Director since January.
• Mickey Garber (District 1, Rex) complained that new attached homes were being sold below the promised $300,000 and without down payments, effectively becoming rentals.
• Drew Andrews (District 4) argued that rescinding the budget committee would reduce transparency and trust.

Discussion Items

• Removal of Agenda Item 21: The board unanimously voted to remove Item 21 (SPLOST Allocation – Crisis Behavioral Center) from the agenda, as it was to be discussed in executive session.
• Move of Item 10 to Regular Agenda: The board moved Resolution 2026-68 (MOU with Jonesboro for building permits) to the regular agenda. It was later approved unanimously after clarification that it was a one-time project.
• Board Appointments:
  • Library Board: Siobhan Fleming appointed (approved 5-0).
  • License Review Board: Held until April 21 meeting.
  • MARTA Citizens Advisory Board: David Ward appointed (approved 5-0).
  • Clayton County Public Facilities Authority Board: Tony Griffin appointed (approved 5-0).
• Resolution 2026-73 (Rescind Budget Committee): Vice-Chair Hambrick moved to rescind the budget committee, arguing the process had always been transparent and that the chair should lead budget preparation. Commissioner Davis supported it as enhancing effectiveness. Commissioner Reeves opposed, noting the committee had only been in place one year and added transparency. Chairwoman Anderson-Henry stated the committee was created due to conflict with the sheriff, and that the old committee gave the sheriff $17 million extra while other departments struggled. The vote resulted in two ayes (Hambrick, Davis) and three nays (Anderson-Henry, Allen, Reeves), so the motion failed (3-2).
• Resolution 2026-74 (Amend Open Budget Meeting Policy): After the failure of 2026-73, the board agreed to remove this resolution from the agenda by unanimous consent.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (5-0).
• Resolution 2026-68 Approved (MOU with Jonesboro for winter weather supply building) (5-0).
• Appointments: Siobhan Fleming (Library Board), David Ward (MARTA Board), Tony Griffin (Public Facilities Authority) – each approved 5-0. License Review Board appointment postponed.
• Resolutions 2026-73 and 2026-74: 2026-73 (rescind budget committee) failed 2-3; 2026-74 was removed from agenda.
• Executive Session Held for real estate, litigation, and personnel; two settlements approved: $180,000 (auto collision case) and $15,000 (auto accident at GA 54 and Lake Drive).
• Personnel Actions:
  • Increased salary for assistant to the chairwoman, Teresa Wilkerson, from $51,244 to $60,226 (grade 22, step 14), effective April 11, 2026. Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Allen voted nay, citing employee frustration over lack of merit raises for 10 years).
  • Melissa Myers appointed as Director of Senior Services (interim to permanent, no salary change) – approved unanimously.
• Next Steps: Follow-up meetings with the City of Atlanta regarding HB 942; further strategy development for airport-related revenue; traffic review for Collins Drive requested by residents.