May 20, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Commissioners of Northwest Georgia Housing Authority
Held May 20, 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 20th day of May 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, Mary Clark (tardy), 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, Jojo Garrett, Assistant Director of Maintenance, Harry Brock, City of Rome, Tom Couch, General Public
Approval of Minutes of regular meeting held on April 22, 2026 - Chairperson Hickman asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Commissioner Townsend made a notion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The notion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No: None
Old Business - None
New Business
Approval of Resolution 28-2026: Approval of Maintenance Charge List - Mr. Justin Jones presented the recommended maintenance charge list for qualified persons participating in NWGHA housing programs. He stated that the maintenance charges are to be reviewed and updated annually and that the proposed 2026 schedule reflects a uniform 5% increase in rates. Mr. Jones further explained and desires to make reasonable revisions to the 2026 maintenance charges, so they remain consistent with current market costs and conditions, with the new or revised charges to become effective July 1, 2026. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to approve Resolution 28-2026, seconded by Commissioner Wallace. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No: None
Approval of Resolution 29-2026: Approval of Restore Rebuild Application - Justin Jones presented the resolution regarding Hannah's Place, consisting of 76 units. He recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve adding subsidy back to this property and stated that NWGHA is asking HUD to do the same. Mr. Jones explained that HUD has implemented the Restore-Rebuild initiative, formerly known as Faircloth-to-RAD, which allows public housing authorities to use unused Faircloth units or authority for purposes of developing or acquiring additional public housing units up to the Faircloth cap. NWGHA has unused Faircloth authority that it would like to utilize under the Restore-Rebuild initiative to attach new tenant subsidies to existing occupied properties, such as Hannah's Place, that are not currently subsidized. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to approve Resolution 29-2026, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No: None
Approval of Resolution 30-2026: Amendment of Tenant Account Collections and Write-Off Policy - Madonna Murphy presented the resolution regarding the amendment of tenant account collections and write-off policy. NWGHA recommends approving amendments to existing policies for purposes of ensuring property oversight and uniformity of financial procedures. Commissioner Cooper made a motion to approve Resolution 30-2026, seconded by Commissioner Townsend. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No: None
Reports
Finance Department Update - James Garvin reported March 2026 ending cash available is $3,164,684. The total Operating Expenses for March 2026 are $2,970,966. Total Operation Revenues are $3,045,901. Approval of NWGHA Financial Statements for March 2026:
Yes: Bojo, Clark, Cooper, Townsend, Wallace
No: None
Chief Executive Officer Comments - Justin Jones presented the CEO report, which included a summary of current operational updates. First, in April 2024, there were 971 households being served and 1,921 individuals being served. In April 2026, there are currently 1,124 households being served and 2,387 individuals being served. Lastly, the newly created Admissions and Occupancy (A&O) Department will begin operations on June 1, 2026.
Commissioner Comments - None
Executive Session - Chairperson Hickman asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of real estate and personnel matters. Commissioner Townsend made a motion to adjourn Regular 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 Wallace. 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 10:40 AM.
