Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rockdale County trims Boys & Girls Club contract to $100,000 after public pleas
Summary
After public comment from club leaders, parents and community members, the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners approved a reduction of the Boys & Girls Club contract from $125,000 to $100,000 for 2025.
The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 25 to reduce its annual contract with the Boys & Girls Club of Rockdale County from $125,000 to $100,000 for the 2025 calendar year.
The contract amendment (change order No. 1 to Contract 2024-207) was approved after a series of public comments in support of the club and a brief discussion by commissioners. David Jernigan, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, told commissioners the local club is “the place that was my second home” and described program outcomes including mentorship, college access and overnight camps.
Why it matters: Several speakers described the club as essential for working parents and at-risk youth. Commissioners said the county’s existing policy generally discourages direct funding of nonprofits, but that a contracted service delivering mentoring and youth programming differs from a grant. The board discussed precedent, the lack of an open application process in prior years and hopes for future oversight and performance reporting.
Key details: The board confirmed one quarterly payment of $31,250 had already been issued under the original contract; remaining payments were adjusted so the county’s total annual outlay will be $100,000. Commissioners said they expect community and private matching support; the club’s local board had already identified $15,000 toward a $100,000 fundraising goal.
Public comment: Multiple attendees spoke in favor of retaining county support. “Without the Boys and Girls Club, how would I have been able to drive Lyft when I got here, work in a restaurant within the same day, and clean someone's house in the same day without the Boys and Girls Club?” said Michelle Walcott, a single mother and community member. Cynthia Stroud and Alfreda Holbrook also described personal family benefits from the club.
Outcome and next steps: The motion to approve the change order carried after commissioners voted, with the board recording oral yea/nay responses rather than a roll-call tally. Commissioners said they will seek clearer financial reporting and expect to measure return on investment; some said they want a competitive or transparent process for similar future contracts.
