In a special call meeting held on November 21, 2024, the Development Authority of Clayton County faced significant public scrutiny regarding its operations and governance. The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda, followed by a public comment session where citizens expressed concerns about dysfunction within the board.

Mickey Garber, a resident of unincorporated Rex, Georgia, criticized the behavior of two board members, suggesting their actions were detrimental to the authority's effectiveness. He emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that individuals would be judged by their own words and actions.

Timothy Vondell Jefferson, a long-time observer of the development authority, echoed these sentiments, highlighting a pattern of dysfunction over the past 15 years. He pointed out the overlapping roles of the Development Authority, Invest Clayton, and the economic development office, calling for a consolidation of these entities to streamline operations and improve service delivery. Jefferson proposed modeling the authority after Invest Atlanta to enhance economic development efforts in the county.

Carol Yancey, another concerned resident, detailed her observations of unprofessional behavior among board members, including disruptions during meetings and a lack of decorum. She raised alarms about potential conflicts of interest and the impact of board decisions on local residents, particularly regarding property taxes and development projects that she claimed favored certain interests over the community's well-being.

The public comments culminated in a discussion about the potential removal of certain board members, initiated by the Board of Commissioners through a resolution aimed at addressing governance issues within the Development Authority. The meeting underscored a growing demand for transparency and accountability in local governance, as residents called for reforms to ensure that the authority serves the interests of the community effectively.