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Board approves juvenile-court pay addendum, leadership training, public-defender hire, vehicle purchases and bills; NAACP says a lawsuit was filed
Summary
Houston County commissioners unanimously approved an addendum increasing pay for an independent juvenile-court contractor, funded leadership training, hired a senior assistant public defender, approved sheriff vehicle purchases and authorized payment of bills. During public comment, Jonathan Johnson, identified as Houston County NAACP president, said "a lawsuit has been filed."
The Houston County Board of Commissioners approved a package of routine items in a single meeting block, including a contractor pay addendum for juvenile court, a leadership-training contract, the hiring of a senior assistant public defender, a sheriff’s vehicle purchase and payment of bills.
Commissioner Byrd moved to approve an addendum to an independent-contractor agreement with Kamian Sims for juvenile court, increasing compensation from $52,500 to $58,000 beginning December 2025. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Also approved was Phase 2 of a leadership training initiative for department heads facilitated by Access Leadership LLC (a one-day event presented for February 5), at a cost the county presented as $8,500 to be charged to the leadership and development reserve.
The board approved hiring David Jennings as senior assistant public defender at grade 34, step B, effective Nov. 19, 2025; personnel staff reviewed and recommended the placement. Supportive remarks for Jennings were made by colleagues; Jennings did not attend the meeting because of family responsibilities.
Commissioner Talley presented a motion to approve the purchase of five in-stock 2025 Ford Police Interceptors at $46,500 each (total $232,500). The county stated the purchase will replace patrol and specialized units and that some of the cost will be charged to specified accounts with partial reimbursement for the school-resource-officer vehicle by the Board of Education; transcript phrasing about the funding split was unclear and should be verified in the county procurement record.
Commissioner Towton moved to approve payment of bills totaling $3,136,568.37; the motion carried unanimously.
During the public-comment period, Jonathan Johnson — identified as the Houston County NAACP president in the meeting — said, "a lawsuit has been filed." The speaker offered no further details and the board did not discuss the matter during the meeting.
All routine approval motions were carried by voice/raised hands and recorded as unanimous at the meeting.
