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Commission appoints Sheila Wilson to Board of Tax Assessors amid ethics objection by commissioner
Summary
The Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Commission appointed Sheila Wilson to Post 2 on the Board of Tax Assessors for a four-year term July 1, 2025–July 1, 2029. Commissioner Damon Hoyte opposed and asked to table, citing undisclosed concerns; Chairman Charles Coffey raised a potential ethics appearance because Hoyte has sued Wilson and others.
The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County appointed Sheila Wilson to Post 2 on the Board of Tax Assessors, effective July 1, 2025, for a four-year term ending July 1, 2029.
The appointment came during the July 1 regular meeting after a motion by Commissioner Gerald Douglas and a second by Commissioner Timothy Biddle; the commission recorded a majority vote with Commissioner Damon Hoyte opposed. Chairman Charles Coffey said the vacancy had existed for two years and the panel had other applicants available but that the board could consider additional candidates for future openings.
The session included an exchange about potential ethics implications. Commissioner Hoyte asked to table the appointment; Chairman Coffey said, on the record, that Hoyte is suing Sheila Wilson and two other citizens and that the lawsuit could create a perception of personal interest if Hoyte participated in appointing someone he is litigating against. Coffey said the board should be careful about appearances and advised caution on Hoyte’s involvement. "I want the public to know that Commissioner Hoyte is suing not only Sheila Wilson, but two other citizens, and the Board of Commission, and yet you still sit here and want to have input on what we do," Coffey said during the meeting.
The commission enacted a formal resolution documenting the appointment on July 1, 2025. The resolution lists the appointment as unanimous in the minutes; the meeting record shows Hoyte opposed on the floor. The minutes and adopted resolution identify the seat as Post 2 with term dates and note the appointee’s willingness to serve.
The county clerk said two other applicants — Latrese Brown and Elizabeth DeMunn — had submitted applications after the work session; the county manager and chairman noted applicants remain eligible for future appointments. The county did not record additional qualifications for Ms. Wilson in the minutes.
No formal ethics opinion or recusal was recorded in the minutes. The commission did not take further action on the matter in that meeting. The appointment will be effective according to the resolution adopted July 1, 2025.
