February 25, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Commissioners of Northwest Georgia Housing Authority
Held February 25, 2026
The Board of Commissioners of Northwest Georgia Housing Authority met at its regular meeting at 326 W 9th St. Rome, Georgia, 8:30 a.m., on the 25th day of February, 2026.
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Betty Sue Hickman, and, upon roll call, those present and absent are as follows:
Present: Betty Sue Hickman, Billy Cooper, Brian Bojo (tardy), Mary Clark, Corey Townsend, Ronnie Wallace
Absent: None
Chairperson Hickman declared a quorum present.
Others in attendance: Justin Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Hannah Turner, Chief Operations Officer, Amanda Fox, Chief of Staff, James Garvin, Chief Financial Officer, Billy Pasley, Director of IT, Rand Nichols, Director of Security & YouthBuild, Le Shay Denton, Director of Housing, Madonna Murphy, Director of Compliance, Howard Gibson, Director of Maintenance, Stewart Duggan, Attorney, Harry Brock, City of Rome
Approval of Minutes of annual meeting held on January 28, 2026 - Chairperson Hickman asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Commissioner Wallace made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Townsend. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Old Business - None
New Business
Approval of Resolution 05-2026: Approval of FSS Action Plan - Mr. Justin Jones presented Resolution 05-2026, explaining that the updated FSS (Family Self-Sufficiency) Action Plan is required by HUD. He noted that while the policy has been rewritten for clarity and compliance, the overall goals of the FSS program remain unchanged. The updates reflect revisions to the policy language rather than changes to program objectives. Commissioner Cooper made a motion to approve Resolution 05-2026, seconded by Commissioner Townsend. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 06-2026: Approval of Sale of Cave Spring Building - Justin Jones reported that the City of Cave Spring has agreed to purchase the property located at 123 Fincher Street for a cash amount of $115,665. He advised that Dennis Shoaf, Chairperson of the Cave Spring City Council, notified him that on February 10th, the Council voted to accept the counteroffer of $115,665 for the property. Commissioner Wallace made a motion to approve Resolution 06-2026, seconded by Commissioner Townsend. The motion was approved unanimously
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 07-2026: Approval of Alarm Panel Upgrades for HR2 & HR3 - Ms. Madonna Murphy presented the contract award through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing/Piggyback Contract process. The contract was awarded to Johnson Controls with a proposed cost of $371,595.62. This project involves upgrading the fire alarm panels at Highrise 2 and Highrise 3. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to approve Resolution 07-2026, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. The motion was approved unanimously
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 08-2026: Approval of HOME Dwelling Lease - Justin Jones presented the updated HOME lease. He noted that the programs are funded through HOME funds and are administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). He further explained that less than 10% of NWGHA's housing units are designated as HOME units. NWGHA currently has approximately 10 HOME units in total, with some of those units also categorized as public housing. The board approves this lease; however, it is to be edited to include a term limit. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to approve Resolution 08-2026, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 09-2026: Approval of Shower Curtain & Tie Cords Public Housing Addendum - Justin Jones presented the requirements for shower curtains and emergency tie cords, noting that these are HUD/NSPIRE compliance standards. He explained that shower curtains are required to be installed in every unit as part of the updated inspection and safety criteria. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to approve Resolution 09-2026, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 10-2026: Approval of Shower Curtain & Tie Cords Tax Credit Addendum - Justin Jones presented the requirements for shower curtains and emergency tie cords, noting that these are HUD/NSPIRE compliance standards. He explained that shower curtains are required to be installed in every unit as part of the updated inspection and safety criteria. Commissioner Wallace made a motion to approve Resolution 10-2026, seconded by Commissioner Townsend. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 11-2026: Approval of HR2 & HR3 Entrance Doors - Ms. Madonna Murphy presented the requested quotes to modify the entrance doors at Highrise 2 and Highrise 3, totaling $87,411.59. The contract was awarded to Ralin Construction. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to approve Resolution 11-2026, seconded by Commissioner Wallace. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 12-2026: Approval of Restating the Retirement Plan - Justin Jones presented the employer retirement plan and explained that the resolution authorizes the employer to make the required mandatory contributions on a pre-tax basis, retroactive to January 1, 2025. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to approve Resolution 12-2026, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 13-2026: Approval of HART 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan - Justin Jones presented the new voluntary 457(b) plan option for employees, which includes a ROTH component. He noted that while income limits apply, they have been expanded. This plan is voluntary and will not have a financial impact on the agency. Commissioner Wallace made a motion to approve Resolution 13-2026, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 14-2026: Approval for Securing Loan or Revolving Line of Credit - The Board of Commissioners reviewed the proposed business terms for a $1 million revolving line of credit, as outlined in the Synovus letter dated February 23, 2026. The Board expressed its intent to obtain and accept these business terms; however, the Board prefers and requests that the Executive Director inquire further with Synovus regarding the possibility of extending the loan term from the proposed 12-month term to a term of 18 to 24 months. The Board of Commissioners authorized NWGHA and its Executive Director to proceed with obtaining and closing on the $1 million revolving line of credit. The Board further directs the Executive Director to request from Synovus a modified loan term of not less than 18 months and not more than 24 months. The Board also authorized the Executive Director and Chairperson to sign any loan documents, agreements, deeds, or other related instruments required to obtain and secure the revolving line of credit from Synovus, not to exceed $1 million, pursuant to the terms set forth in the letter dated February 23, 2026. The Board again requests that Synovus consider extending the loan term from 12 months to a period between 18 and 24 months. Commissioner Bojo made a motion to approve Resolution 14-2026, seconded by Commissioner Townsend. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 15-2026: Approval for Use of Synovus Revolving Line of Credit - The Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director to proceed with closing on and obtaining access to the $1 million revolving line of credit from Synovus, pursuant to the terms outlined in the letter dated February 23, 2026. The Board further agreed and expressly authorized the Executive Director to draw down, up to $600,000 from the Synovus $1 million revolving line of credit (once the loan is closed and funds are available to NWGHA) for the specific purpose of setting aside those funds to meet the investor limited partners' liquidity and guarantee requirements. This action is intended to facilitate and enable NWGHA to close on its pending Cave Spring 9% LIHTC affordable housing development, which is tentatively scheduled to close in or around April 2026. Commissioner Bojo made a motion to approve Resolution 15-2026, seconded by Commissioner Townsend. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Approval of Resolution 16-2026: Approval for Operational Use of Synovus Revolving Line of Credit - The Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director to proceed with closing on and obtaining access to the $1 million revolving line of credit from Synovus, pursuant to the terms outlined in Synovus's letter dated February 23, 2026. The Board further agreed and expressly authorized the Executive Director to draw down up to $100,000 from the Synovus revolving line of credit (once the loan is closed and funds are available to NWGHA) for operational needs, should the Executive Director determine, at his discretion, that such funds are necessary to meet immediate operational requirements of NWGHA. In the event the Executive Director draws down any amount (not to exceed $100,000) for
operational needs, he shall notify and report the drawdown to the Board of Commissioners at the next scheduled Board meeting. Any additional funds drawn from the Synovus $1 million revolving line of credit beyond this $100,000 operational authorization will require prior approval from the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Bojo made a motion to approve Resolution 16-2026, seconded by Commissioner Wallace. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Reports
Finance Department Update
Mr. James Garvin reported that BDO is preparing year-end financials, and we should be up to date by the March board meeting
Chief Executive Officer Comments
Justin Jones presented the CEO report, which included a summary of current operational updates.
Commissioner Comments
Chairperson Hickman welcomed Harry Brock from the Rome City Commission.
Executive Session
Chairperson Hickman asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of real estate matters. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to enter into Executive Session, seconded by Commissioner Wallace. The motion passed unanimously. No action was taken during the Executive Session. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to return to Regular Session, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes - Bojo, Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No - None
Adjourn
Commissioner Townsend made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 AM.
