Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident accuses county of mismanagement and retaliation; chairman denies claims as commission approves leases, equipment and appointments
Summary
During public comment, Warren Williams alleged mismanagement, nepotism and retaliation; Chairman Charles Coffey denied tax‑related accusations. The commission unanimously approved use of Old City Hall by the school board, a truck for EMA, and reappointments to the IDA, and entered executive session on legal matters.
Warren Williams, a Cusseta resident who spoke during the Nov. 12 meeting of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County Board of Commissioners, told the board he was representing many citizens and alleged "mismanagement and lack of respect" by elected officials and what he described as retaliatory actions.
"It is not about race, color, gender, it is about human decency and respect and integrity," Williams said during open forum, adding that the county had "a dark cloud" of mismanagement and that he believed Tax Assessor activity and hiring practices suggested targeting and nepotism.
Commissioner Damon Hoyte thanked Williams, said comments on the county Facebook page should remain visible and said retaliation will not be tolerated; he said he would investigate the matter. Chairman Charles Coffey later responded to the allegations, saying he had filed homestead for only one property in writing, denied tax fraud and family hires, and said any assessor error affected multiple property owners. "It would be difficult for anyone to care more than I do for this county," Coffey said, offering that explanation and thanking Williams for speaking.
Other matters: The commission unanimously approved several agenda items during the meeting. Motions approved included allowing the Chattahoochee County Board of Education to use Old City Hall (motion by Commissioner Damon Hoyte, second by Commissioner Timothy Biddle), purchase of a truck for the county Emergency Management Agency (motion by Commissioner Timothy Biddle, seconded by Commissioner Jason Frost), and reappointments to the Industrial Development Authority of Mattye Kinney and Gene Burgamy (motions recorded and approved unanimously). The commission also approved a second reading of a county ordinance to create a Board of Elections and Registration (see separate report) and tabled cemetery bylaws until Dec. 3.
Legal matters and executive session: County Attorney Bin Minter told the board he is continuing work with the cemetery committee on an ordinance and confirmed that litigation related to Commissioner Hoyte and political signage is pending; the county filed an answer seeking dismissal and an appeal/related hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6. The commission went into executive session at 10:46 a.m. on legal issues and reconvened at 11:30 a.m.; Chairman Coffey stated that the subjects discussed were within legal exceptions to Georgia's open meetings law and that no votes were taken in executive session.
What happens next: Cemetery bylaws were tabled to Dec. 3. The commission added recommended initial appointees for the newly established Board of Elections to its Dec. 3 agenda and will consider related appointments and administrative follow‑up during upcoming meetings.
