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GeorgiaSB 2382025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Rockdale County; board of commissioners; increase the board of commissioners to five members

Sponsored By: Tonya Anderson (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Commissioner pay, benefits, and reimbursements

With voter approval in November 2025, each commissioner is paid 16.5% of a superior court judge’s base salary as of June 30, 2025, paid monthly. Commissioners may join the county retirement and group hospital plans if they meet normal eligibility rules. The board may reimburse only actual, personal expenses for county work with certified vouchers. Knowingly falsifying a reimbursement certificate is a crime, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 1 to 5 years in prison.

Public meetings and vacancy fill rules

The board holds public meetings on the second Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and the fourth Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. each month at the county seat; special meetings need at least one day’s notice. A quorum is three commissioners or the chair plus two; actions need three yes votes or two plus the chair, and the chair votes like other members. If a seat has 210 or more days left, a special election is called within 30 days and the board names an interim within 10 days. If fewer than 210 days remain, the board appoints a permanent replacement within 20 days. If all seats are vacant, the Probate Court judge fills any seats with under 210 days left and longer terms follow the special election process. Appointees meet the same qualifications, oath, and bond as elected commissioners, and elected or permanent appointees serve the rest of the term. These rules apply starting January 1, 2026 if voters approved the Act in November 2025.

Oath and $10,000 bond for commissioners

Before taking office, commissioners take an oath before the Probate Court judge. Each must file a $10,000 surety bond with the judge, and the county pays the bond cost. These requirements apply starting January 1, 2026 if voters approved the Act in November 2025.

County manager runs daily operations

With voter approval in November 2025, a county manager role starts January 1, 2026. The board appoints the manager based on administrative skill and experience, with degree-and-experience minimums. The manager enforces county laws, runs departments, prepares agendas, attends meetings without a vote, and can make purchases up to $5,000 without board approval. Employment, consulting, and severance contracts need board approval, and any manager action that conflicts with adopted ordinances is void. The manager hires, removes, and sets pay for most employees (within budget and merit rules) and appoints department heads with board consent; if no nominee in 90 days, the board may fill the role. The board alone hires the executive assistant, finance director, and county attorney; elected officials control their own office staff unless they opt into the county personnel ordinance in writing.

Five at-large commissioners and election schedule

With voter approval in November 2025, the board has five at-large commissioners starting January 1, 2027. Candidates must live in Rockdale County for at least one year before qualifying. Voters elect Posts 2, 3, and 4 in November 2026 (Posts 2 and 4 for four years; Post 3 for two years). Current seats continue; the former chair becomes Post 5, and Posts 1 and 5 elect successors in November 2028. Commissioners run in partisan general elections, serve four-year terms, and pay a set qualification fee to run. Each January starting in 2027, the board chooses a chair and a vice-chair from its members.

Local vote sets when changes start

Rockdale County held a referendum on November 4, 2025 on these changes. With voter approval, parts needed for 2026 elections took effect January 1, 2026, and other sections begin January 1, 2027. Without approval, the Act is repealed 365 days after the vote. The county pays the election cost, and the election superintendent certifies results to the Secretary of State.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tonya Anderson

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Rhonda Taylor

    Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 220 • No: 1

House vote • 3/13/2025

Local Calendar

Yes: 169 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/28/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 51 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025Senate

  2. Veto V7

    5/14/2025

  3. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025Senate

  4. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/13/2025House

  5. House Third Readers

    3/13/2025House

  6. House Passed/Adopted

    3/13/2025House

  7. House Second Readers

    3/4/2025House

  8. House First Readers

    3/3/2025House

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/28/2025Senate

  10. Senate Passed/Adopted

    2/28/2025Senate

  11. Senate Read and Referred

    2/24/2025Senate

  12. Senate Hopper

    2/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 238/AP* (v5)

    PDF

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