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Resident accuses county officials of mismanagement and retaliation; chair denies wrongdoing
Summary
At the Nov. 12 meeting of the Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Commission, resident Warren Williams alleged targeted tax assessments, nepotism and retaliation; Chairman Charles Coffey responded that the claims are unfounded and explained the homestead issue was an assessor error affecting multiple property owners.
Warren Williams told the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 12 that many county residents feel "ignored and disrespected" and accused county officials of mismanagement, retaliation and preferential hiring. "It is not about race, color, gender, it is about human decency and respect and integrity," Williams said during the public-comment period.
Williams told the commission he believed county staff had targeted him after he sought to be put on a future agenda, saying the county tax assessor visited his property the next day while "nobody else received a visit." He also alleged political signs aimed at the chairman were removed and that a magistrate court judge was under investigation.
Commissioner Damon Hoyte thanked Williams for speaking and said retaliation "will not be tolerated," offering to investigate allegations of targeting. Hoyte stopped short of answering other claims and said Chairman Coffey would need to respond.
Chairman Charles Coffey addressed the room, denying that he had committed tax fraud or improperly claimed multiple homesteads. "To request for a homestead you have to request in writing and he has only ever done so on one piece of property," Coffey said, adding that the assessor identified an error that affected multiple property owners. Coffey also said he has no family employed by the county and framed his service as motivated by the public interest.
The commission took no formal action on the allegations at the meeting. County officials later entered an executive session for legal matters; the attorney noted ongoing litigation related to signs and an appeal scheduled for Dec. 6.
