Resident alleges county mismanagement and retaliation; chairman denies wrongdoing

Warren Williams told the Cusseta–Chattahoochee County commission on Nov. 12 that many residents feel ignored and targeted by county officials and alleged widespread mismanagement, retaliation against critics and the hiring of friends and family onto county payroll.

"It is not about race, color, gender; it is about human decency and respect and integrity," Williams said, urging the commission to "do their job" and listen to citizens. He said a recent visit by the tax assessor to his property followed his request to be placed on the meeting agenda and described the local environment as "toxic" for those who want to be heard.

Commissioner Damon Hoyte thanked Williams and said Facebook comments should remain visible, adding, "retaliation will not be tolerated," and that he would investigate some of the claims himself. Hoyte noted that some allegations — including those concerning the chairman — required a response from Chairman Charles Coffey.

Chairman Coffey responded directly to Williams' assertions, saying the allegations of tax fraud were not true and that he had applied for homestead only on one property. "There was a piece of property that ... the Tax Assessors found an error on, not a mistake on my part," Coffey said, adding that the error affected multiple property owners. He also denied having family members on the county payroll and said, "I do this for the citizens and the county."

The chairman and other commissioners did not take formal action on the public comment during the meeting; the commission later entered an executive session to discuss legal matters and reconvened without recording votes on that topic.

The transcript and minutes record the allegations and the commissioners' brief responses. No formal findings or disciplinary actions were announced at the Nov. 12 meeting.