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Oconee County advances 'Protection from Mass Surveillance' ordinance, requests unredacted Flock camera logs
Summary
On first reading Oconee County Council approved Ordinance 2026-26 to restrict county use of mass-surveillance systems, voting 4–1. Council separately approved a 5–0 staff request to obtain unredacted Flock camera audit logs — including municipal logs — to inform future decisions.
Oconee County Council on Aug. 18 approved on first reading Ordinance 2026-26, titled “Protection from Mass Surveillance,” a measure that would prohibit use of county funds, property, personnel, equipment or contracts for specified mass-surveillance systems and add related disclosure requirements for accommodation-tax awards.
The ordinance passed first reading 4–1, with Councilmember John Elliott opposed. The discussion centered on the use of Flock license-plate reader cameras, public-safety arguments, and concerns about constitutional privacy rights. Mr. Elliott said that "public safety is the top priority for County Council," and he signaled he would oppose the ordinance for that reason. Chairman Matthew Durham said he "stands with Mr. James’ statement and agrees that public safety is important but it does not trump the constitutional rights of each citizen." The motion to approve first reading was made by Glenn Hart and seconded by Thomas James.
Separately, Council unanimously approved (5–0) a motion by Thomas James, seconded by Glenn Hart, directing staff to request access to the unredacted audit logs for the Sheriff’s office Flock camera system and to include municipalities' unredacted audit logs in that request. Councilmember Don Mize had suggested explicitly adding municipal logs and Mr. James included that request in his motion.
During the public-comment period, Dillon Collard addressed Council in support of Ordinance 2026-26 and urged an end to the 287(g) agreement between the Sheriff’s office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Another citizen, David Crockett, asked whether Council will investigate dissolving the Corinth-Shiloh Special Tax District for fire protection; that request was noted but not acted on during this meeting.
Council members framed the first-reading approval as a policy step that will be informed by staff review of audit logs and additional information. The ordinance will return for a subsequent reading and any amendments before final adoption.
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