Board of Commissioners - 2026-02-04
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting on February 4, 2026 focused primarily on non-land use matters including election security, homelessness services, and property tax assessment practices. The board approved $16.786 million in recruitment incentives for the sheriff's office to comply with the DOJ consent decree, and approved a quick claim deed release to the City of Milton for tax parcel 22416111340263. Significant discussion occurred regarding warming center policies and commercial property/data center valuations, with the county pursuing third-party review of assessment practices.
Key Decisions (12)
Sheriff's Office Recruitment and Retention Incentives
Approved package of recruitment and retention incentives for the sheriff's office in support of DOJ consent decree compliance, not to exceed $16,786,000 for fiscal year 2026.
Quick Claim Deed Release to City of Milton
Approved request for chairman to execute quick claim deed of release of covenants to City of Milton regarding tax parcel number 22416111340263.
Cybersecurity Contract
Approved cybersecurity contract in the amount of $565,000.
Fire Sprinkler Protection System Maintenance Services
Approved lowest responsible bidders totaling $300,000 to provide fire sprinkler protection system maintenance services.
US Customs and Border Control Building at Fulton County Executive Airport
Approved lowest responsible bidder for new US Customs and Border Control building project at Fulton County Executive Airport, not to exceed $5,117,347.18. Project includes 5,000 square foot customs facility for clearing international aircraft.
Election Ballot Paper Purchase
Approved statewide contract of $240,000 to purchase mandated watermark security ballot paper for immediate elections.
Election Printing Services
Approved statewide contract of $210,346.07 to provide printing services for elections.
Election Security Seals
Approved statewide contract of $136,000 to provide security seals for elections.
Police Uniform and Duty Gear
Approved lowest responsible bidder not to exceed $130,000 to provide uniform, footwear, and duty gear for police personnel.
Resolution Protecting Constitutional Rights at County Facilities from ICE
Commissioner Arrington held resolution affirming protection of constitutional rights at Fulton County facilities and limiting ICE enforcement activities to bring back at next meeting with completed resolution.
Permanent Supportive Housing Funding Resolution Filed
Resolution to reaffirm $4,800,000 allocation for permanent supportive housing in FY2026 and direct county manager to include same amount in FY2027 budget was filed (effectively killed) after debate about conflict of interest and proper procedure.
Outside Counsel Retention
Approved request to retain outside counsel as set forth in executive session agenda item 10.
Development Activity (1)
US Customs and Border Control Building
5,000 square foot customs facility for clearing international aircraft; $3.5 million grant secured from FAA and GDOT against total project cost of $5,117,347.18
Market Signals (5)
Infrastructure
Fulton County is preparing airport customs infrastructure ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup, anticipating increased international private aviation traffic.
Housing Demand
County maintains 30-year commitment to support up to 550 permanent supportive housing units through Partners for Home, with current annual funding at $4.8 million for wraparound behavioral health services.
Commercial Demand
Data centers are emerging as significant commercial property type requiring new valuation methodologies; county pursuing third-party review of assessment practices for hyperscale data centers.
Sentiment
Proposed state legislation (HR 1114/HB 1116) could eliminate property tax collection on homesteaded properties, potentially requiring radical restructuring of county revenue sources with $850 million in state grants proposed as partial offset.
Other
County has limited flexibility for additional sales taxes due to existing MARTA, T-SPLOST, E-SPLOST, and LOST commitments already at state-mandated caps.