Upson County approves security services contract after tax commissioner urges verification of social media claims

Upson County commissioners on May 26 approved a security services contract for the government complex as part of the consent agenda, following a public comment that framed the contract as a necessary campus safety measure.

Andy Chastain, the county tax commissioner, told the board the security discussion began after court functions moved and daily law‑enforcement presence at the tax office dropped. “Until you walk in my shoes, until you sit in my clerk’s desk and deal with those people that come in not happy sometimes, you really don't understand the scope of needing security,” Chastain said. He thanked the board for previous discussions and the decision to provide security for the campus.

Chastain also criticized social media posts he described as inaccurate and said a District 3 candidate had posted false information and “intentionally pays his taxes late every year,” a point he said is public record. "When you jump on an issue that involves the security and safety of my staff and you do it on social media and it's false information, I'm gonna call it out," Chastain said. The candidate did not respond in the meeting.

The security services contract was included in the consent agenda that passed by vote. No public speakers objected during the consent‑agenda period. The approval logged affirmative votes from the present commissioners during the roll call.

The action completes the administration’s immediate step to provide contracted security for the government complex; commissioners noted the matter had been discussed previously and described the approval as preventative campus security rather than a new recurring program.