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Resident presses ethics questions about Commissioner Hoyte at Cusseta–Chattahoochee meeting; board approves appointments, tables CUP
Summary
At the Aug. 6 regular meeting a resident alleged Commissioner Damon Hoyte has filed multiple lawsuits and an EEOC complaint against the county; Hoyte declined to answer on the record. The commission unanimously approved several reappointments and funding requests and tabled a conditional use permit for 110 Stagecoach Road with Hoyte abstaining.
During the open‑forum portion of the Aug. 6 meeting, resident Steve Wagner accused Commissioner Damon Hoyte of filing multiple magistrate and superior‑court cases and an EEOC complaint against the county and questioned the fiscal and ethical effects of those filings. Wagner asked Hoyte a series of direct questions about pleas, filings and a purported $1 million lawsuit; Hoyte declined to answer some on the record and said he could not discuss certain matters. The county attorney reminded the commission of standard policy that commissioners are not required to answer public questions.
Wagner said he would forward a complaint to the Georgia Ethics Commission and told the board he had gathered documents and recordings. Hoyte later told the board that after the election he had written a resignation letter but chose not to submit it and said he would remain on the commission.
On agenda items the commission recorded the following actions, as reflected in the meeting minutes:
- Approval of minutes for prior meetings (July 2 regular and executive-session minutes; July 22 public hearing & work session and executive-session minutes) — motions carried unanimously with recorded movers and seconders in the minutes. - Reappointment of Walter Miller to the Industrial Development Authority (motion by Commissioner Jason Frost, seconded by Commissioner Timothy Biddle) — unanimous vote. - Reappointment of Lou Beck to the Industrial Development Authority (motion by Commissioner Timothy Biddle, seconded by Commissioner Jason Frost) — unanimous vote. - Four‑H renewal and funding request (motion by Commissioner Jason Frost, seconded by Commissioner Timothy Biddle) — unanimous vote. - DOT roundabout relocation grant acceptance (motion by Commissioner Damon Hoyte, seconded by Commissioner Timothy Biddle) — unanimous vote. - Conditional use permit (CUP) for 110 Stagecoach Road (Hoyte CUP) — motion by Commissioner Jason Frost to table until Dec. 3, 2024 (or until judgement), seconded by Commissioner Timothy Biddle; Commissioner Hoyte abstained from the vote.
The commission entered executive session at 6:47 p.m. for personnel and legal matters; the session was later closed and the chair stated no votes were taken during the closed meeting. The minutes record that the subjects discussed in closed session were legal and personnel matters and that minutes of the executive session will be kept for in‑camera inspection under O.C.G.A. §50‑14‑3.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
