The Clayton County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s FY26 local assistance grant allocations Oct. 21 after amendments from two commissioners shifted funding among nonprofit applicants.

County staff presented the recommended awards and a slate of three competing amendment sets from Vice Chair Reeves, Commissioner Allen and Commissioner Davis. The board voted to adopt Commissioner Allen’s amendment package; that motion passed after discussion and a subsequent vote to adopt the full slate with the selected amendment.

Key changes included increased funding for eviction mediation run by the Community Services Authority and boosts for several smaller nonprofit organizations providing direct assistance and mental-health services. Vice Chair Reeves said dedicating funds to eviction mediation reflected feedback from constituents and the magistrate court’s successful mediation program. As Reeves told the board, the mediation program provides a forum for landlords and tenants to reach agreements and reduce evictions.

County staff noted the application process required nonprofits to be 501(c)(3) organizations physically located in Clayton County and that proposals were scored by Clayton Collaborative staff before submission to finance. Commissioners also debated whether to allow additional amendments during the meeting and whether to delay action to ensure balanced, auditable changes; the board ultimately approved the recommended list with the chosen amendment.

What’s next: Staff will prepare agreements with the grantees and return with required documents for the county's finance department to execute payments.