Operations committee advances revisions to BAC handbook, recommends $25 stipend and TAD consolidation

The Government Operations Committee (GOC) operations committee on Aug. 18, 2025 reviewed a redraft of the Athens‑Clarke County boards, authorities and commissions handbook and endorsed a set of recommendations for the full commission to consider, including a proposed $25 per‑meeting stipend for locally appointed BAC members and consolidation of six tax allocation district (TAD) advisory committees into a single oversight body.

The handbook changes the committee discussed cover transparency (official ACCGov email accounts and open‑records guidance), meeting practice (streaming expectations and a limit on virtual attendance that does not count toward quorum), mandatory online training with a six‑month completion window and membership rules (restricting ACCGov employees and local elected officials from serving unless an ordinance specifically allows it).

Why it matters: The handbook will set standard procedures for advisory bodies that advise Athens‑Clarke County leaders. The proposed stipend and the shift of several advisory bodies into consolidated or reclassified commissions would affect members’ compensation, county staffing and the FY27 budget if the full commission approves the changes.

Committee recommendations and details

- Stipend. The committee recommended compensating locally appointed, county‑controlled BAC members $25 per meeting, limited to one meeting per month, with quarterly payments. Staff estimated the FY27 cost at roughly $60,000–$75,000 if paid at scale; the stipend would be included in the FY27 budget only if the full commission approves it.

- Email, open records and executive sessions. The…