---
date: 2025-11-24
title: Hometown Connection Legislative Meeting Minutes
source: 2025-11/2025-11-24_Hometown Connection Legislative Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

HOMETOWN CONNECTION LEGISLATIVE MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2025 9:00 A.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Shawn Edmondson, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem LaKeisha Gantt – Dist. 1 Frank Milazi, City Treasurer/CFO
Councilmember Alphonso Thomas – Dist. 2 Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilmember Kyle D. Berry, Sr. – Dist. 3 Quinton Washington, Attorney (NP)
Councilmember Yolanda Barber – Dist. 4
Councilmember Elton Alexander – Dist. 5

Mission: Is to provide visionary leadership and superior municipal services that enhance the
quality of life for citizens while creating a welcoming business atmosphere focused on
sustainability and expansion of tourism and cultural events.
Staff Present: Ryan Anderson, Community Development Director, Demeatrius Ivey,
Information Technology Director, Rosalynd Rawls, Executive Assistant to Mayor &
Council, Brenden Reilly, GIS Technician, and Shana Thornton, Public Information
Officer
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford at 9:00 a.m.

Invocation by: Councilmember Berry

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members
were present except Mayor Pro Tem Gantt and Councilmember Thomas.

Motion to adopt the Agenda was made by Councilmember Alexander; seconded by
Councilmember Berry. The motion passed unanimously 3-0.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
Mayor Ford welcomed everyone and thanked everybody for participating in the
Hometown Connection Legislative meeting; and asked everyone to introduce
themselves. Mayor Elect Williams, and Councilman Elect Cloud were in attendance.

HENRY COUNTY LOCAL DELEGATION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator Gail Davenport, Representative Demetrius Douglas, Representative Regina
Lewis-Ward, and Representative Robert Flournoy.
Senator Davenport noted her district was redrawn to include Stockbridge and thanked
the city for the warm welcome. Representative Lewis-Ward thanked the city for the
invitation and looks forward to a great discussion.
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GEORGIA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Government Relations Team, Michael McPherson, Leona Rittenhouse and DJ Waller,
who thanked the city for hosting a Hometown Connection meeting, noting not all cities
do, and that having good relationships between the cities and their delegation
legislators helps to advance legislative priorities for their municipalities, and that GMA is
ready to help where they can.

Mr. Waller noted items currently being discussed are property tax, income tax,
insurance premium tax and invited everyone to attend the 2026 Cities United Summit
Conference in January.

DISCUSSION OF LOCAL PRIORITIES:
City Council District 4 - Annexation - Hwy. 138/Hwy. 42 East
City Council District 4 - Annexation - Hwy. 42 North to Clayton County
City Council District 5 - Annexation - Jodeco Rd. East to Peach Dr.
City Council District 5 - Annexation - Jodeco Rd. West to Mt. Olive
Municipal Redistricting - Reapportionment Discussion

Councilmember Barber began the discussion noting she initiated a drive around of City
Council District 4 with the City Manager, Shawn Edmondson, where she noted District 4
has the largest land mass, and the majority of the newly annexed residents; noted she
only represents half of subdivision, with the other half being represented by City Council
District 5, and noted that with her being a resident of the subdivision, she prefers to
represent the subdivision (Lakeside) in its entirety.

Councilmember Barber referenced the area for potential annexation along Hwy. 138
East to Hwy. 42 near the skating rink; and the area along 42 North going toward I-675 to
the Clayton County line.

Councilmember Barber noted that looking at the city’s future growth, there needs to be
consideration for adding (2) At-Large City Council Seats for adequate representation of
its constituents; noting that the City has stated the focus is to revitalize the downtown
area, and that density is a requirement based on a marketing study, however, in City
Council District 4 there have been nine (9) developments approved by the City Council
and are outside of the downtown area.

Mayor Ford noted it is his understanding that District representation is approximately
3% of the population.

Representative Douglas noted the Henry County Delegation did not draw the map, and
was done so by Appropriations, and approved by the House and the Senate; noting the
city may have to wait until the next census in 2030, however, adjustments can be made.

Councilmember Alexander noted the current majority at the Capitol is Republican, and
agrees with the 10-year census plan; noted City Council District 5 has 33% of the
housing in the city, and recommended annexation of the unincorporated area along I-75
to Peach Drive where there has been multiple annexation; noted the city projections
have the city approaching 40,000.

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Senator Davenport noted her history around redistricting, noting areas that she once
represented, and currently represents, and stated, you don’t always get what you want.
Councilmember Alexander noted he is oaky with 10-year redistricting model; and noted
90% of Jodeco would be commercial with the proposed annexation; noted I-75 has
140,000 daily visitors and needs assistance with the exits with litter pickup, overgrown
grass, and lighting; noting the Hwy. 138 exit ramp along I-75 has no lighting.

Representative Douglas noted that this is where the city should seek a CID (Community
Improvement District), and suggested reaching out to the GDOT Representative, Dana
Lemon for assistance.

Councilmember Alexander noted he has made the request approximately eighteen
months ago and was told the funding was not in the budget and looks at the issue with
the no lights as a hazard, noting he damaged his personal vehicle due to the lack of
lighting along the exit ramp.

Mr. Waller suggested the delegation legislators would carry more weight with GDOT
speaking on behalf of the municipalities.

Councilmember Alexander noted the Georgia Power estimate for post lamps is
approximately $1.3 million dollars.

State Funding of Multi-Generational Recreation Center
Mayor Ford noted the city has sought federal funding for the recreational component.

Councilmember Alexander noted the city has $10 million dollars currently in SPLOST,
and $14 million dollars of Bond funding for a facility that has been designed by TSW,
and is similar to the Welcome All Park facility, and estimated to cost around $30 million
dollars; noted the first proposed locations was Tye Street and second proposed location
is off Burke Street in the old multi-plex facility location; and noted that he serves as the
Council Representative on the Downtown Development Authority where a study was
conducted to show the housing stock was built in 1966, and that the community center
would attract younger families, and is why the city needs density in the downtown area.

Senator Davenport asked if the second location is large enough and asked what the city
is doing in the way of affordable housing.

Councilmember Alexander referenced the Habitat for Humanity project where two
homes will be built.

Mayor Ford noted the first location on Tye Street could be used to develop affordable
housing.

Mr. Anderson noted the city can require a percentage of the units to be affordable
housing as a condition of zoning.

Mr. Wall noted that in order for developers to receive Tax Abatements, certain criteria
must be met.

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Representative Lewis-Ward asked if the second location is where bank formerly housed
their processing center.

Councilmember Alexander noted the request to the State is to assist with closing the
funding gap needed to build the facility.

Mr. Wall noted there is $14 million dollars in the bank, and there is a $10 million
SPLOST allocation.

Proposed Name Change for North Henry Blvd.
Representative Douglas asked about the homeless population in the city, noting that
with all of the growth, asked what the city is doing with old buildings to address the
needs of the less fortunate.

Mr. Edmondson referenced a presentation by Henry County during the last council
meeting where there is a Division who is addressing the housing and food insecurities
and making an immediate impact, and also has a mobile medical unit that will go out to
communities and provide care, noting Henry County is taking the lead.

Councilmember Alexander noted there is not a homeless shelter in Henry County, and
the Division referenced will pay for hotel stays.

Councilmember Barber asked Mr. Edmondson if the city has included funding for
partnerships with Henry County Agencies in the city’s upcoming FY2026 Budget.

Mr. Edmondson confirmed.

Councilmember Alexander referenced a non-profit agency that he runs and stated the
dollars are tight right now, especially during the government shutdown and federal cuts
to programs.

Mr. Wall stated there is $14 million dollars in the bank for the Center, noting SPLOST
funding could take six years, and suggested the request to the State to be $8 million
dollars to close the funding gap.

There was consensus of the Council to request $8 million dollars in funding from the
State to be allocated toward the city’s recreation facility.

Councilmember Baber stated there needs to be an overall comprehensive plan for the
revitalization of the downtown area, noting the city is currently selling its city-owned
properties to developers.

Councilmember Alexander noted the city sold the building that is owned by Crown Pizza
to a developer, and that there are public-private partnerships, including a $22.5 million
dollar investment coming to the downtown, and the city sold property to the Warrick
Dunn Foundation.

Senator Davenport stated she favors the idea of rebranding Hwy. 138.

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Councilmember Alexander noted that it could be an Overlay similar to Lake Spivey
Pkwy.

Representative Douglas insisted that all stakeholders, residents, and business owners
be brought to the table with multiple meetings and offer suggestions to get their buy in
as it relates to changing the name that would impact hundreds and not just a few.

Representative Lewis-Ward asked for the area along Hwy. 138 that is being proposed.

Councilmember Alexander noted N. Henry to Rock Quarry Rd. and to the Wal-Mart
intersection.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt joined the meeting at 10:05 a.m.

Councilmember Barber stated the revitalization priority needs to be the area that houses
the city’s “legacy” residents.

Representative Douglas asked the city to produce a plan, and noted the delegation is
here to support what the body approves.

Senator Davenport noted her concern with the development along Hwy.138, and there
being too much traffic, and the developer backing out; and asked that the city develop a
cohesive vision.

FLOST UPDATE
Mr. Edmondson noted there were discussions in August where the County proposed
using the 2020 census numbers as their model, and includes the 6,700 residents who
were annexed into the City of Stockbridge in 2023; noted all four municipalities were in
agreement to split FLOST proceeds based upon LOST (Local Option Sales Tax), noting
there must be an IGA in place to move forward.

Mr. Edmondson noted there was no IGA executed to meet the deadline for the
November ballot, and the County wants to resume talks, with the same split as
presented in August and look at the March or May ballot:

Entity FLOST Share

Henry County 62.77%

Hampton 5.5%

Locust Grove 5.5%

McDonough 11.5%

Stockbridge 14.73%

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Mr. Edmondson noted that during the last meeting with the other cities, there remained
a conflict between the cities/county distribution percentages.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt noted there are rental neighborhood challenges and there needs
to be regulation put in place.

Representative Douglas noted the General Assembly believes in local control.

Representative Flournoy noted he is working with a group on affordability and
sustainability.

Mr. Waller noted GMA opposes pre-emption bills, and noted GMA is working with
ACCG.

Councilmember Alexander noted corporations are purchasing homes and noted 50% of
his subdivision is owned by corporate entities, and that first-time homebuyers cannot
compete to purchase homes.

Representative Lewis-Ward referenced HB305 that is being proposed that would only
allow corporations to own twenty-five (25) homes in the county.

Representative Douglas encouraged the city to work out the FLOST percentages with
the County, and they will be more than happy to support.

Ms. Rittenhouse noted GMA wants to see more FLOST Referendums, noting there
were 36 Referendums on the ballot, and 32 passed, with one of the failures being
Paulding County; and that there is time for the May ballot to let the voters decide.

Councilmember Barber asked if the city had a housing authority, and if not, requested
that it be re-established.

Ms. Holiday noted the question came up several years ago and that former City
Manager, Mr. Ted Strickland specifically stated the apartment complex across from city
hall on Harrell Street met the criteria for the City of Stockbridge.

Representative Douglas noted it is good to have that kind of institutional knowledge.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 a.m. was made by Councilmember Berry;
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk Anthony S. Ford, Mayor

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