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Record of Proceedings

Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting – May 19, 2026

Board of Commissioners — Tuesday, May 19, 2026
BodyClayton County, Georgia
SessionBoard of Commissioners
DateTuesday, May 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:54

Good evening, everyone.

0:56

All right, the Clayson County Board of Commissioners meeting is now uh called to order.

1:01

The date is Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and the time is 6 o'clock p.m.

1:07

Next, we will have our roll call, District 1.

1:11

District 3.

1:12

Present, District 2.

1:14

Present.

1:15

And District 4.

1:17

Present.

1:17

Thank you.

1:18

And I am present.

1:20

Next will be item 3, our invocation and pledge of allegiance to our flag.

1:24

At this time, we will have a moment of silence for our invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.

1:31

Will you please stand for a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance to our flag?

1:37

Please bow your head at this time.

1:57

Thank you.

1:58

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:19

All right.

2:20

At this time we will move on to item four.

2:22

Board members, are there any items that you that you would like to move to the regular agenda at this time?

2:28

Uh yes.

2:29

All right.

2:30

Item number three.

2:34

I just wanted to clarification, and also item number four.

2:37

Item three.

2:38

PSA 2275.

2:40

Item four.

2:42

All right.

2:43

Thank you.

2:43

All right, are there any other items, board members?

2:48

All right.

2:49

Also, please note for the record that item 10 has a different funding source and should only reflect the 2021 spLOS, not the funding source that is indicated in the agenda.

3:00

Also, item five should reflect instead of 3.5, it should be 3.0.

3:06

So please look at item 10 and item five and see if you have any questions on those items, board members at this time.

3:17

Uh repeat that uh poll number five.

3:20

So item five should reflect and set a think she said 3.5 and should reflect 3.0.

3:26

It is 3.0.

3:31

And item 10 has a different funding source and should only reflect the 2021 splot fund.

3:48

All right.

3:49

At this time, um board members, and we need to get a motion to adopt the agenda with amendments.

3:55

I'll make the motion to adopt the agenda with the amendments.

3:58

I second the motion.

4:00

Is there any discussion at this time?

4:02

Are you ready for the vote?

4:04

All in favor say aye.

4:05

Aye.

4:06

All opposed, any abstentions, the ayes have it, and the motion carries.

4:10

Next, we will have presentations and proclamations, and we don't have any tonight.

4:15

All right.

4:19

However, uh, we're going to keep moving, and we'll move on to item six.

4:23

Um but before we move on to public comment, are there any um public officials here today?

4:30

All right.

4:31

Seeing none, Madam Clerk, will you please read the public comment rules at this time?

4:36

Citizens will be given a three-minute maximum time limit to speak before the board of commissioners.

4:41

Please note that all public comments must be limited to matters on the agenda or over matters which the governing body has jurisdiction.

4:49

Speakers must maintain a decor's demeanor and refrain from personal attacks upon board members shouting and using out saying language.

5:00

Following 30 minutes of hearing from the public, the Board of Commissioners will allow the remainder of the citizens who signed up to be heard at the next Tuesday business meeting.

5:07

All right.

5:08

Also, will you please come again as we've stated before?

5:12

Please come up and give your name and county of residence.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████57%
Procedural██████8%
Code Enforcement█████6%
Public Safety████5%
Procurement Management████5%
Public Engagement███4%
Economic Development███4%
Senior Services██3%
Engineering And Infrastructure██3%
Summary of Proceedings

Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. The meeting included adoption of the agenda with amendments, public comments, approval of consent items, and zoning public hearings. Key decisions included approval of a church expansion, approval of a barbershop over staff opposition, and adoption of zoning text amendments. One item was held for further review.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved with amendments: The consent agenda was approved unanimously after the following corrections were noted: Item #5 (Roadway Construction CEI contract amendment) price adjustment changed from 3.5% to 3.0%; Item #10 (Full Depth Reclamation) funding source corrected to 2021 SPLOST only. Items moved to the regular agenda: Item #3 (RFP #19-268 Auditing Services) and Item #4 (PSA #22-75 Forensic Photography). All other consent items (1–2, 5–32) were approved as part of the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Oretha Ansley and Rachel Tony Butler (Griswell Advisory Board) announced a furniture donation exceeding $25,000 to the J. Charley Griswell Senior Center and presented a certificate of appreciation to Director Melissa Myers Bristol. They invited commissioners to an appreciation luncheon on June 12, 2026, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
  • Orlando Gooden (District 3) argued that a new county sign stating "speakers must refrain from personal attacks" violates the First Amendment. He also called for a forensic audit of the sheriff's office and questioned the credibility of a prior speaker.
  • Dr. Henry Anderson (District constituent, Hampton, GA) urged the commission to prioritize a joint meeting with the Development Authority, noting the authority's extensive powers, and expressed concern about Resolution 2026-105 to remove Randy Burton from the Development Authority and Urban Redevelopment Agency.
  • Cornell Madison (District 4) criticized the sheriff's office for spending $7.5 million on overtime, questioned the need for driver/bodyguard deputies, and called for audits of county departments. He stated he had received calls from sheriffs across Georgia offering to help reform the jail.
  • David Hamrick (House District 79) encouraged residents to check for state tax refunds and expressed support for the heavy equipment purchases (items 11–13) due to difficulty hiring mechanics, but criticized HR standards.
  • Jesus Carmona Jr. addressed his pending barbershop conditional use permit (public hearing later in meeting), asking the board to reconsider the denial recommendation due to financial hardship and his established presence in the community.

Discussion Items

  • Item #3 – Contract Amendment: RFP #19-268 Auditing Services: Staff explained the one-year extension (through May 31, 2027) with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC at a cost of $262,450 for the FY2026 audit, pending a new RFP in FY2027. Commissioner Davis requested clarification. Approved unanimously.
  • Item #4 – Contract Amendment: PSA #22-75 Forensic Photography Services: Staff requested a six-month extension (June 22 to December 22, 2026) while reprocuring services. Commissioners Hambrick and Allen questioned the cost and potential service interruption. The item was held to the June 2, 2026, board meeting for additional information on itemized costs and continuity of services.
  • Item #33 – Conditional Use Permit: Church Expansion (10 Flint River Rd): Applicant Josué Cortez described the church (Iglesia Pentecostal M.I Uncion Divina) destroyed by fire three years ago, a miracle that no one was inside. The Zoning Advisory Group recommended approval with conditions (combine lots, decorative fence). Public speaker Mickey Garber supported. Approved unanimously.
  • Item #34 – Conditional Use Permit: Restaurant with Drive-Thru (5644 Riverdale Rd): Applicant Nan Wilcox (Carter Hawkero Group) proposed a new Wendy's (Global Next Gen) on 0.70 acres. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions (subdivide out-parcel, shared parking agreement). Commissioner Hambrick requested to hold the item to inspect the parking lot condition and clarify responsibility for potholes. The item was held to the June 16, 2026, board meeting.
  • Item #35 – Conditional Use Permit: Neighborhood Arts & Entertainment Theater (5226 Highway 85): The applicant had requested withdrawal on April 8, 2026. The Zoning Advisory Group recommended acceptance. The board voted to accept the withdrawal.
  • Item #36 – Conditional Use Permit: Barbershop (7206 Tara Blvd): Staff and ZAG recommended denial citing overconcentration of barbershops/hair salons in the area (at least four existing within a mile) and lack of commercial diversity. Applicant Jesus Carmona testified he had been operating for two years without a county business license due to an oversight; he spent over $30,000 on renovations. Several public speakers (Jennifer Kiluk, Faith Park, Brashan Amore, and another resident) supported the business, arguing that competition and specialization (hair units, braiding) warrant approval. Commissioner Davis initially moved to deny, but no second. Commissioner Allen then moved to approve. The motion passed with a 3-1 vote (one abstention).
  • Item #37 – Zoning Text Amendment (BOC-2604-0614): Staff presented amendments to Articles 1, 3, 4, and 6 regarding definitions and development standards for coin-operated laundromats, CBD/vape shops, beverage stores, and personal services. The ZAG recommended approval. Public comments: Mickey Garber supported providing clarity; Dr. Henry Anderson praised the statistical data (173 vape shops, 43 barbershops, 130 beauty salons, etc.) and urged extension to other uses; David Hamrick criticized the abundance of low-end businesses. One speaker, Jennifer Kiluk, opposed the saturation criteria, arguing it should be a landlord decision. The board approved Ordinance 2026-116 (codifying the amendments) unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda approved with amendments (items 5 and 10 corrected).
  • Item #3 – Auditing Services contract amendment: Approved.
  • Item #4 – Forensic Photography contract amendment: Held to June 2, 2026.
  • Item #33 – Church expansion (CUP): Approved with conditions.
  • Item #34 – Restaurant with drive-thru (CUP): Held to June 16, 2026.
  • Item #35 – Theater (CUP): Withdrawal accepted.
  • Item #36 – Barbershop (CUP): Approved (3-1, with one abstention).
  • Item #37 – Zoning Text Amendment: Approved via Ordinance 2026-116.
  • Public comments were noted; no further action taken on audit or sign complaints.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:14 P.M.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. All right, the Clayson County Board of Commissioners meeting is now uh called to order. The date is Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and the time is 6 o'clock p.m. Next, we will have our roll call, District 1. District 3. Present, District 2. Present. And District 4. Present. Thank you. And I am present. Next will be item 3, our invocation and pledge of allegiance to our flag. At this time, we will have a moment of silence for our invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Will you please stand for a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance to our flag? Please bow your head at this time. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. At this time we will move on to item four. Board members, are there any items that you that you would like to move to the regular agenda at this time? Uh yes. All right. Item number three. I just wanted to clarification, and also item number four. Item three. PSA 2275. Item four. All right. Thank you. All right, are there any other items, board members? All right. Also, please note for the record that item 10 has a different funding source and should only reflect the 2021 spLOS, not the funding source that is indicated in the agenda. Also, item five should reflect instead of 3.5, it should be 3.0. So please look at item 10 and item five and see if you have any questions on those items, board members at this time. Uh repeat that uh poll number five. So item five should reflect and set a think she said 3.5 and should reflect 3.0. It is 3.0. And item 10 has a different funding source and should only reflect the 2021 splot fund. All right. At this time, um board members, and we need to get a motion to adopt the agenda with amendments. I'll make the motion to adopt the agenda with the amendments. I second the motion. Is there any discussion at this time? Are you ready for the vote? All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, any abstentions, the ayes have it, and the motion carries. Next, we will have presentations and proclamations, and we don't have any tonight. All right. However, uh, we're going to keep moving, and we'll move on to item six.

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