Cusseta–Chattahoochee County appoints Sheila Wilson to Board of Tax Assessors despite ethics objection

The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County voted July 1 to appoint Sheila Wilson to Post 2 on the Board of Tax Assessors for a four‑year term commencing July 1, 2025, and ending July 1, 2029. Commissioner Gerald Douglas moved the appointment and Commissioner Timothy Biddle seconded; the motion carried with Commissioner Damon Hoyte recorded as opposed.

Commissioner Hoyte said other applicants had submitted materials and questioned whether all candidates were being considered; he asked that the record reflect multiple applicants were available. Chairman Charles Coffey responded that because Hoyte has filed a lawsuit that names Ms. Wilson and others, Hoyte’s participation raised potential ethics concerns and that the board should be mindful of conflicts. Coffey said there is “this big elephant in the room that we have to tiptoe around,” and urged commissioners to treat applicants and the process with courtesy and dignity.

The appointment was memorialized in a written resolution that cites state statute granting the commission authority to set the Board of Tax Assessors’ size at three to five members and to appoint members. The resolution appears in the meeting packet and records the commission’s action.

The vacancy on the Board of Tax Assessors had been open for about two years, the county clerk reported; the commission noted it is permissible to consider any applicants who wish to serve and encouraged others to apply for boards and commissions in the future.

Next steps: The resolution places Ms. Wilson in Post 2 through July 1, 2029. The county clerk will record the appointment and the board will proceed under applicable Georgia statutes and county policies.