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Clayton County commissioners approve $515,000 in litigation settlements and authorize budget changes
Summary
At the May 5 meeting the board approved a $15,000 civil service settlement and a $500,000 motor-vehicle collision settlement, and directed the chief financial officer to amend the FY2026 budget to reflect the agreements.
On May 5, 2026, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve two litigation settlements totaling $515,000 and instructed the county chief financial officer to amend the budget to reflect the payments.
Mister Reed, who presented the settlements to the board, said the first agreement resolved a civil service claim between Rakita Birney and Sheriff Allen for $15,000 and requested the CFO “to amend the budget and to reflect appropriate revenue source and expenses required under the terms of the agreement.” He then described a second settlement tied to civil action number 2025 CV 04865 involving a motor-vehicle collision and a county driver; Reed said the county would pay $500,000 in that case.
The chair moved to approve the settlements; the motions were seconded and carried by voice vote. The transcript records the board approving both settlements without recorded opposition.
Why it matters: the two settlements together represent a direct budget impact and the county formally directed staff to adjust revenue and expense lines to accommodate the payments. The larger settlement — $500,000 tied to a motor-vehicle collision case filed in Clayton County state court (2025 CV 04865) — is material to the county’s risk and claims exposure for this fiscal year.
County next steps: the board’s action authorizes the CFO to amend the county budget to add the expense and any corresponding revenue or reserve use indicated by the settlement terms. The board then returned to open session business and adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m.
