Cusseta–Chattahoochee Commission appoints Sheila Wilson to tax assessors board amid ethics concerns

The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County voted July 1 to appoint Sheila Wilson to Post 2 on the County Board of Tax Assessors for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2025. Commissioner Gerald Douglas made the motion and Commissioner Timothy Biddle seconded; the motion passed despite an objection from Commissioner Damon Hoyte.

The appointment fills a vacancy the minutes note had existed for roughly two years. County Clerk Lisa Bickel told the Commission two additional applicants had submitted materials since the work session: Latrese Brown and Elizabeth DeMunn. Hoyte moved to table consideration but the motion received no second and therefore failed; the final appointment motion then passed.

Why it matters: appointments to the Board of Tax Assessors affect how county property is valued for tax purposes and determine who reviews exemptions and property appeals. The resolution accompanying the motion states the Commission is “authorized by State Statute to appoint members to the Board of Tax Assessors,” and lists the term as July 1, 2025–July 1, 2029.

Tension on the dais: Chairman Charles Coffey, supporting the appointment, told the public that Commissioner Hoyte is pursuing litigation involving Sheila Wilson and other citizens and cautioned that Hoyte’s role in discussing this appointment could raise potential ethics questions. Coffey said, in part, “Commissioner Hoyte is suing not only Sheila Wilson, but two other citizens, and the Board of Commission,” and urged commissioners to maintain appropriate conduct. Hoyte responded that other applicants had not been fully considered and said he had encouraged community members to apply.

Formal record: the Commission approved a written resolution appointing Sheila Wilson to Post 2; the minutes state the motion passed and that Ms. Wilson was asked to be thanked for her willingness to serve. The resolution text in the record cites state statute authority and lists the appointment as unanimously approved in the resolution document wording, while the meeting minutes record that Hoyte opposed the motion when it was taken on the floor.

What’s next: the minutes show the appointment was recorded and a resolution adopted for the four-year term. The Commission did not record a separate roll-call tally naming every commissioner vote in the minutes beyond noting Hoyte’s opposition and the motion’s passage.