Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting on June 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included multiple presentations, public comments, consent agenda approval with an emergency addition, several zoning decisions, and executive session actions. The board approved a strategic plan, renewed several insurance policies, and addressed land use and conditional use permit requests.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Goodwill of North Georgia 100th Anniversary: Chairwoman Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry proclaimed June 16, 2026 as "Goodwill of North Georgia Day," recognizing the organization's century of service, including three retail locations and one attended donation center in Clayton County, over 13,500 Clayton residents connected to jobs, and more than 26,500 job seekers assisted with critical skills.
• Interdepartmental Partnership for Summer and Year-Round Community Engagement: A joint proclamation by Library Services, Senior Services, Parks and Recreation, and the Office of Youth Services highlighted inclusive programming, including special needs accommodations at the Virginia Burton Gray Recreation Center.
• Youth Commissioner Zairah Moses: Presented with the 2026 ACCG Youth Leadership Award for her work on the Clayton County Youth Commission, chairing the legislative and social justice committee, founding "Light in the Dark" support resource, and running her own small business.
• 2026-2031 Strategic Plan Presentation: Chief Tim Sweat presented the Fire & Emergency Services strategic plan, developed with the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The plan updates the vision, mission, and core values (Honor, Courage, Commitment) and sets four goals focusing on training, workforce development, fiscal resources, and community engagement. The board later adopted the plan via Resolution 2026-137.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Anderson (District 3): Urged adequate funding for indigent defense and pro tem judge fees, supporting departments that spend money judiciously.
• Tax Commissioner Danielle Smith: Addressed concerns from the June 9, 2026 audit presentation by Alden and Jenkins, stating that several recommendations were outdated and had been corrected in 2023. She requested the board recognize that issues had been resolved and that communication with her office was insufficient.
• Solicitor General Charles Brooks: Opposed Budget Amendment 2-60 ($140,094 for FIFA activation sites), arguing the return on investment was unclear, and requested funding for two priority positions (litigation support specialist and investigative assistant, costing $141,822) for efficient judicial services.
• Ophelia Normand (District 2, mother of autistic son): Expressed frustration at the lack of inclusive summer programs and adaptive sports in Clayton County, citing 40-minute commutes to neighboring counties. She noted the Virginia Burton Gray camp was not properly advertised and called for equity for children with unique abilities.
• Christopher Gallagher: Proposed elderly high-rise buildings similar to other states to allow seniors to age in place with dignity and security.
• Mickey Garber: Emphasized public safety funding, including training and pay for police, sheriff, fire/EMS, courts, and code enforcement.
• Brenda Harrison: Criticized moratoriums and zoning restrictions, urging the county to welcome barbershops, salons, and small businesses rather than locking doors to entrepreneurs.
• Orlando Gooden: Raised First Amendment concerns about the public comment rules restricting personal attacks, and questioned the chairwoman's request for additional funds from the development authority for FIFA events.
• Cornell Madison: Alleged misuse of tax dollars by the sheriff's office, citing payments to Blue Enclave (owned by Mincy Bickers, who is imprisoned), The Shopper ($26,750.21), and EasyText, calling for an audit.

Consent Agenda

• The board adopted the consent agenda as amended, including removal of Item 15 (Budget Amendment 2-62) due to alternative funding, and addition of emergency Budget Amendment 4-19 ($3,075,809 for River's Edge walking trails phases 3 and 4, funded by 2021 SPLOST). The consent agenda included approval of June 2, 2026 minutes; monthly procurement report; awards for VxRail hardware ($129,270), VMware Cloud Foundation subscription ($715,605.12 over 5 years), SmartLight solar street lighting ($162,292), floor restoration annual contract, Shelnutt Canopy Repairs ($89,940), and renewals of Inland Marine ($151,984, +22.5%), Public Officials Liability ($322,670, +5.1%), Cyber Security Liability ($114,942, flat), Excess Workers’ Comp ($340,349, +1.46%), and Excess Cyber Security Liability ($89,655, flat) insurance policies. Also approved were Budget Amendments 2-60 (BA-2-60, moved to regular agenda), 2-61 ($56,466 for District Attorney vehicles), and 2-62 (removed); refunds for closed business and overpayment ($25,437.12); and multiple resolutions (2026-127 through 2026-142) including bond sufficiency, lease agreements, office renaming, library MOUs, data center moratorium extension, police canine retirement, strategic plan adoption, health district MOA, inmate care agreement, legal holidays, facility use agreement with Boys & Girls Club, and Airport South CID expansion.

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendment 2-60: $140,094 for FIFA activation at Gerald Matthews Sports Complex and The Arena at Southlake. The board discussed return on investment, noting funds came from hotel/motel taxes not general fund. The event aimed to promote Clayton County internationally, introduce youth to soccer, and attract businesses. The amendment was approved (vote: ayes).
• Board Appointment – Public Facilities Authority: Vice-Chair Gail Hambrick moved to reappoint Toney Griffin for a term July 3, 2026 – July 2, 2029. Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Items:
  • Item 35 – Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for warehouse at 1000 Southern Rd: Approved with four conditions: (1) facade must be flex-office design; (2) elevations approved by Community & Economic Development before LDP; (3) maintenance bond agreed by Transportation & Development; (4) uses limited to light industrial permitted uses. Economic Development to be involved in permitting.
  • Item 36 – CUP for barbershop at 7206 Tara Blvd: Previously tabled; motion to approve was made and seconded, carried (ayes). Overruled earlier denial based on oversaturation concerns.
  • Items 37 & 38 – FLUM amendment and rezoning for 7327 Cullen Dr (townhomes): Applicant requested tabling to August 18, 2026. Board approved tabling with unanimous vote.
  • Item 39 – CUP for restaurant with drive-thru at 5644 Riverdale Rd: Decision only (public hearing already held). Approved with conditions (subdivision and shared parking agreement).
  • Items 40, 41, 42 – FLUM, rezoning, and CUP for tractor/truck parking at 1260 Old Conley Rd: Applicant requested withdrawal. Board accepted withdrawal unanimously. Commissioner Reaves noted community opposition and explained withdrawal allows future projects better suited for the area.
  • Items 43/44 (swapped order) – FLUM amendment (Item 44) and rezoning to HI (Item 43) for truck dealership at 5884 Frontage Rd/175 Morrow Rd: FLUM amendment (44) approved. Rezoning (43) approved with four conditions (excluding ZAG's 5th condition about Clayton State partnership). The applicant agreed to pursue partnership voluntarily.
  • Item 45 – CUP for truck dealership (same location): Approved with four conditions, excluding fifth condition.
  • Item 46 – CUP for barbershop at 6716 Tara Blvd (gas station pairing): Denial recommended due to oversaturation and crime concerns. Applicant (Juana Pena) testified she was not informed of public hearing requirement, invested $35,000, and offered free haircuts for kids. Board approved 46 over staff recommendation, citing equity.
  • Item 47 – CUP for barbershop at 7113 Mt Zion Blvd: Approved. Staff found no barbershops within a mile radius. Applicants (Michael Jenkins, Ricky Tucker) are veterans with 60 years combined experience.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: All consent agenda items as amended, including emergency BA-4-19.
• Approved: Budget Amendment 2-60 ($140,094 for FIFA activation).
• Approved: Reappointment of Toney Griffin to Public Facilities Authority Board.
• Approved (with conditions): Warehouse CUP at 1000 Southern Rd (Item 35).
• Approved: Barbershop CUP at 7206 Tara Blvd (Item 36).
• Tabled to August 18, 2026: FLUM and rezoning for 7327 Cullen Dr (Items 37-38).
• Approved (with conditions): Restaurant CUP at 5644 Riverdale Rd (Item 39).
• Withdrawn: FLUM, rezoning, and CUP for industrial use at 1260 Old Conley Rd (Items 40-42).
• Approved: FLUM amendment for 5884 Frontage Rd (Item 44).
• Approved (with four conditions): Rezoning to HI for truck dealership (Item 43) and corresponding CUP (Item 45).
• Approved: Barbershop CUP at 6716 Tara Blvd (Item 46) over staff denial.
• Approved: Barbershop CUP at 7113 Mt Zion Blvd (Item 47).
• Executive Session: Board approved a settlement of $67,500 for a civil rights case (James Greer v. Roland Bohr et al.) and an ARPA supplement of $10,000 for attorney India Mitchell through December 2026.
• Adjourned: 9:15 PM.