Clayton County FY2027 Budget Hearing - May 6, 2026

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held a public budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2027 on May 6, 2026, beginning at approximately 2:45 PM. Department heads presented their proposed budgets, priorities, and justifications, with a focus on staffing, program funding, and mandated costs. No public comments were received, and no formal votes were taken during this hearing.

Office of Youth Services

• Administrator Sierra Dunn reported that the office has already served 1,429 youth in FY2026, exceeding its goal of 900 participants for the fiscal year.
• Priority 1: Reclassify a part-time program supervisor position to full-time (not a new hire, a reclassification).
• Priority 2: Increase the food and dietary budget from $4,500 to $5,500 to support growing program participation.
• Dunn emphasized that without full-time staffing, programs for youth ages 18–24 remain underserved, and large events (70+ participants) pose safety risks. Without the food increase, attendance and engagement decline, especially in food-insecure areas.

Office of Communications and Print Services

• Administrator Valerie Fuller presented an FY2027 budget request of $326,494, a decrease from the FY2026 budget of $332,654.
• Priority 1: Increase supply and advertisement budgets to sustain operations amid rising demand. Supplies cover both the print shop and communications.
• Priority 2: Requested an increase in part-time budget from $39,000 to $52,000 to cover coverage for weekdays, nights, and weekends.
• Fuller noted that a part-time employee recently resigned. To maintain services, she requested that the vacant part-time position be converted to a full-time videography specialist (estimated $46,397) within the existing budget. This would still keep the overall request below FY2026 levels.
• The office supports all five strategic pillars and handled over 1,364 communications requests, 534 creative services requests, and 214 productions in FY2026.

Tax Assessor's Office

• The Chief Appraiser reported a net increase of approximately $500 over the prior year, achieved by offsetting mandated cost increases with savings elsewhere.
• Key increases: printing costs for personal property returns (state mandate), and travel/training for certifications (Department of Revenue classes now require travel).
• Savings included canceling a 44-inch printer rental (saving ~$4,000) and reducing uniform allowance.
• The office expects to request further increases next year as the Georgia Assessors Association explores virtual training options.

Community and Economic Development Department

• Director Patrick Ijike presented two divisions:
  • Community Development: Two must-have contracts: building inspection/commercial plans review (supplemental staffing) and planning/zoning consultant ($450,000 annually for zoning analysis and reports). Office supplies remain at $15,000.
  • Economic Development: Consultant Pond & Company at $408,000 to structure the county's economic development strategy. Advertising budget $25,000; promotional $284; training minimal. A major request is $5,224,002 for phases two and three of the small business incubator expansion (20,000 square feet). This is separate from SPLOST funds and a grant from Senator Ossoff’s office (which will furnish phase one).
• Ijike noted the incubator is envisioned as a metro destination and must be kept pristine.

Internal Audit Department

• Director Leslie Moore stated that all requested items align with finance recommendations. Training and travel budget is $9,000 to maintain certifications (Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor) and comply with GAO (Yellow Book) standards. The department relies on free webinars to reduce costs.

Board of Registration and Elections

• Director Shauna Dozier described multiple uncertainties: Senate Bill 189 eliminates QR codes on voting equipment (unfunded mandate, effective July 1, 2026); the passing of Congressman David Scott may trigger a special election potentially in FY2027; and a federal redistricting ruling may require a special session, impacting FY2027 planning.
• The office has 210,000 registered voters, growing ~10% annually, with 70 polling locations and 5–12 advanced voting sites.
• Requests include $28,000 for training/travel (new equipment, poll worker training, ballot transport), increased security officers (now covering advanced voting and post-election), and $4,390 for additional election supplies and signage (to remedy voter feedback on directional signs).
• Dozier confirmed the SB189 mandate is unfunded.

District Attorney's Office

• The District Attorney (not named in transcript) requested approximately $325,000 for merit increases for county-paid employees (roughly 3%, but preferred 5%). The office has 104 employees (89 county-paid, 15 state-paid). The DA stated that county employees have not received merit increases in two years, leading to staff losses to surrounding counties (Henry, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett) which offer higher pay. State-paid employees received raises and a $6,000 retention bonus in FY2026.
• The DA also requested funding for a team to support the new sixth Superior Court judge: one Assistant District Attorney and one legal assistant (state appropriations uncertain; potential January start). The DA wants authority to hire July 1, 2026, in case state funding comes later.
• The DA emphasized the emotional toll of the work (child pornography, violent crimes) and the need to be competitive: starting salaries are ~$83,000 versus neighboring counties starting at $95,000–$100,000.
• In response to a question about House Bill 999 (raising theft threshold to $25,000), the DA clarified its office appears in magistrate court for felony preliminary hearings and bond hearings three days a week, but HB999 does not directly affect felony prosecution.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were recorded during this hearing. All requests are under consideration for the FY2027 budget.
• The Board of Commissioners and finance staff took note of each department's priorities and justifications, with follow-up actions expected for reclassification requests (Youth Services, Communications) and the District Attorney’s merit increase and sixth judge team funding.
• Several departments noted that they would return for further adjustments as more information becomes available (e.g., Elections office on state legislation, Tax Assessor on training costs, District Attorney on state appropriations).