Clayton County approves $7 million for sheriff's office, conditions funding on internal audit and delivery of missing 2024 audit

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners on April 1 approved $7,000,000 to the sheriff's office and required the county's internal audit department to examine the office's accounts and overtime practices, and directed the sheriff to provide a previously completed 2024 audit that outside auditors say has not been produced.

The board's action amended Budget Amendment 2-28, which originally sought $14,676,303 to cover salaries, overtime, personnel benefits, contract service fees and other operating expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year. Chairwoman Dr. Alika Anderson Henry moved the amendment to reduce the appropriation to $7,000,000 and attach audit conditions; the motion passed following debate, with four ayes and one abstention.

Why it matters: Commissioners and multiple public speakers said the sheriff's office has spent well beyond projections in recent fiscal cycles, and county external auditors have reported they lack access to certain sheriff's office bank statements. County…