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Residents urge commissioners to move from at‑large to district seats; several speakers cite representation concerns
Summary
Multiple public commenters asked the Houston County Board of Commissioners to adopt district-based seats instead of at-large elections, citing lack of persons of color on the commission and referencing a Department of Justice matter and local litigation history.
Several residents and community leaders used the public‑comment period to press the Houston County Board of Commissioners to adopt district-based commissioner seats instead of at‑large elections.
Jacqueline Rozier (candidate and community member) told the board she ran for the commission and lost in part because the at‑large system, she said, dilutes minority voting strength; Rozier asked the board to request assistance from the county’s state legislative delegation to draw district lines without litigation. Reverend Dr. Rutha Jackson echoed the request and asked the board to change to district seats so electoral representation would better reflect the county’s populace. Clarence Long, a longtime county employee and resident, also urged commissioners to “do what you can” to enable district representation and expressed support for returning Black representation to the board.
Rozier referenced a prior internal investigation and comments the chairman made at a January 28, 2025 meeting at First Baptist Church on Garrett Street (transcript reference) concerning Department of Justice activity; she said the investigation results were still pending and urged action. Commenters requested the board engage the Georgia delegation and pursue districting “without a lawsuit.” The board did not take action during the meeting; commissioners acknowledged the comments but made no motion to change the voting structure during the session.
