Resident accuses local officials of mismanagement; commissioners approve routine items and enter executive session

A Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County resident accused county leaders of mismanagement and retaliation during public comment at the Nov. 12 Board of Commissioners meeting, prompting a public denial from Chairman Charles Coffey and a pledge from commissioners to investigate allegations of retaliation.

Warren Williams told the commission he spoke for many residents and said the county suffers from “mismanagement and lack of respect,” that signage aimed at the chairman had been removed, that his property was visited by the tax assessor after he requested to be placed on the agenda, and that friends and relatives were being hired on county payroll. Williams also said a magistrate court judge was under investigation. He framed the complaints as matters of “human decency and respect and integrity.”

Commissioner Damon Hoyte thanked Williams, said Facebook comment moderation should remain visible and said retaliation would not be tolerated; he indicated he would look into the allegations. Chairman Charles Coffey responded that he has only filed for homestead on one property, denied owing the county money and denied having relatives on the county payroll, and said he serves the county to improve it: “it would be difficult for anyone to care more than he does for this county,” Coffey told the meeting.

The commission handled routine business before adjourning. Recorded votes included unanimous approvals for the Oct. 1 regular meeting minutes, Oct. 1 executive session minutes and Oct. 28 work session minutes; motions to allow the Board of Education to use Old City Hall; purchase a truck for the county emergency management agency; and reappoint Mattye Kinney and Gene Burgamy to the Industrial Development Authority. The minutes list motions and seconds for each action and record unanimous votes.

Commissioners also discussed Facebook moderation policy, HB 581 enrollment (the county manager said the county is automatically enrolled and can opt out), and confirmed a SPLOST referendum passed with a public hearing rescheduled for Dec. 3. The county attorney reported he is coordinating with the cemetery committee on bylaws and noted ongoing litigation tied to removal of political signs; an appeal and county filing are scheduled for Dec. 6.

The board entered executive session at 10:46 a.m. to discuss legal matters; the meeting reconvened at 11:30 a.m., and Chairman Coffey stated that the closed session covered legal issues within exceptions to the open meetings law and that no votes were taken there. The regular meeting adjourned at 11:36 a.m.