1ST TERM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
-
Strengthening Public Safety: Clayton–Riverdale Fire & Emergency Services Merger
- To better protect lives and property, I voted to merge fire and emergency services with Clayton County.
- Riverdale previously operated with just ONE FIRE ENGINE AND NO AMBULANCES—for the entire City. A level of coverage I found totally unacceptable for our community.
Your LIFE and Your HOME is what matters most to me!
- 💰 Responsible Tax Relief You Can Feel
- To offset the anticipated county’s fire protection cost increase, I voted to lower your property taxes from 11.48 to 7.34 mills —the lowest rate in over 10 years.
- Riverdale's millage rate climbed from 9.98 to 11.48 in 2016 then down to 7.34. I helped to make that change!!
| Riverdale’s Historical |
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millage Rates: | 7.50 | 9.98 | 9.98 | 11.48 | 11.48 | 11.48 | 11.48 | 11.48 | 11.48 | 11.48 | 11.48 | 7.34 | 7.34 |
🌊 Saving Lives Through Education: Float Like a Boat
- I created and launched an interactive, life-saving public safety initiative focused on water safety and survival.
- We teach our Youth how to Save Themselves in Water. Public safety starts with education & preparedness.
- 🚀 Empowering Through Knowledge: Forward Flow Information Series
- I’m preparing you, your children and grandchildren for the future with dynamic information sessions like:
- 1st Flow: How to Navigate Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- 2nd Flow: Making Your Side Hustle Your Main Hustle
- 🎓 Investing in Our Youth: When we uplift our youth, we uplift our future
- I personally awarded two $1,000 college scholarships to Clayton County Public School students
“I also inspired two local businesses, including my son’s, to match and sponsor additional scholarships”
My Decisions are for
THE PEOPLE I Serve
In 2015, my home was destroyed by fire, which left us displaced for 10 months. The closest fire station—at the top of my street—was a Clayton County facility. Yet they didn’t respond. Instead, the City of Riverdale’s Fire Department arrived from farther away. I’m grateful they arrived, but that just doesn’t make sense.
Nearly 10 years later, I found myself in a position to change this for my neighbors. I believe that moment was my calling to serve in this 1st term as an elected official. To make decisions that save lives, protect homes, and ensure my neighbors will not wait unnecessarily in a moment of crisis. That’s why I moved forward with the vote to merge the City and County Fire Services, so that when our citizens call for help, the closest First Responders can answer that call. No jurisdictional barriers. Just timely, life-saving action.
Before the merger, Riverdale had only one fire engine and no ambulances covering the entire city. Many residents didn’t know this fact. This merger dramatically improved our emergency response capabilities. For the first time ever, Riverdale has a permanently stationed ambulance within city limits. That wasn’t possible before the merger.
- DIVINE CONFIRMATION: WARD 1 – We Needed This!!
On April 13th, I motioned the vote to approve the merger. I left town for a planned trip the next day, on April 14th returning April 22nd. Then, on April 25th, as I drove down my street, I saw a Clayton County ambulance and fire engine at a neighbor’s home. No lights or sirens—the emergency had been de-escalated. What struck me was their presence. They were the closest responders, and they were there helping my neighbors. That’s what we did.
As I pulled into my driveway, I paused. I sat there, overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking and praising God for showing me the impact of that decision firsthand. Then, as if to underscore the message, a City of Riverdale fire engine passed by—no lights, no sirens. The emergency had already been met by the nearest help. That moment, the timing for me to witness ALL of this, was divine confirmation that we did the right thing. And the cherry on top – It was captured on my Ring camera. I will always be proud to have this for our City and my neighbors!
Riverdale City Council Votes to Lower Millage (October 2024)
10142024 Mayor and Council Action Mintes (1).pdf
During the October 14, 2024 City Council meeting, to offset the expected County increase, the council voted to LOWER the city’s millage (tax) rate. Find official archived meeting minutes on our city’s website at the link above. Here’s a quick summary from that meeting:
- Item: Discussion and Consideration to Adopt the Millage Rate / Resolution No. 33
- Overview: Finance Director Don Turner presented a proposal to reduce the millage rate from 11.48 to 7.34 mills
- Outcome: Motion made by Council Member Wallace, seconded by Council Member Granison, and passed unanimously
Clayton County Millage Rates by City (2022–2024)
| Millage per City | Total Millage Breakdown (2024) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | County | School | Fire | City | Total 2024 Millage |
| College Park | 12.619 | 12.619 | 12.619 | 15.266 | 19.600 | — | 12.619 | 47.485 mills (Clayton County, Georgia) |
| Forest Park | 16.743 | 16.743 | 16.743 | 15.266 | 19.600 | 4.146 | 16.743 | 51.609 mills (Clayton County, Georgia) |
| Jonesboro | 7.000 | 7.500 | 8.000 | 15.266 | 19.600 | 4.146 | 8.000 | 47.012 mills (Clayton County, Georgia) |
| Lake City | 7.500 | 7.500 | 7.500 | 15.266 | 19.600 | 4.146 | 7.500 | 46.512 mills (Clayton County, Georgia) |
| Lovejoy | 6.556 | 5.172 | 5.172 | 15.266 | 19.600 | 4.146 | 5.172 | 44.184 mills (Clayton County, Georgia) |
| Morrow | 8.499 | 7.514 | 7.514 | 15.266 | 19.600 | 4.146 | 7.514 | 46.380 mills (Clayton County, Georgia) |
| Riverdale | 11.480 | 11.480 | 7.340 | 15.266 | 19.600 | 4.146 | 7.340 | 46.352 mills (Clayton County, Georgia) |
*Riverdale notably dropped city millage significantly from 11.480 in 2023 to 7.340 in 2024 (Georgia Tax Office, Fair Assessments).
- DIVINE CONFIRMATION: WARD 1 – We Needed This!!
On April 13th, I motioned the vote to approve the merger. I left town for a planned trip the next day, on April 14th returning April 22nd. Then, on April 25th, as I drove down my street, I saw a Clayton County ambulance and fire engine at a neighbor’s home. No lights or sirens—the emergency had been de-escalated. What struck me was their presence. They were the closest responders, and they were there helping my neighbors. That’s what we did.
As I pulled into my driveway, I paused. I sat there, overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking and praising God for showing me the impact of that decision firsthand. Then, as if to underscore the message, a City of Riverdale fire engine passed by—no lights, no sirens. The emergency had already been met by the nearest help. That moment, the timing for me to witness ALL of this, was divine confirmation that we did the right thing. And the cherry on top – It was captured on my Ring camera. I will always be proud to have this for our City and my neighbors!
Riverdale City Council Votes to Lower Millage (October 2024)
10142024 Mayor and Council Action Mintes (1).pdf
During the October 14, 2024 City Council meeting, to offset the expected County increase, the council voted to LOWER the city’s millage (tax) rate. Find official archived meeting minutes on our city’s website at the link above. Here’s a quick summary from that meeting:
- Item: Discussion and Consideration to Adopt the Millage Rate / Resolution No. 33
- Overview: Finance Director Don Turner presented a proposal to reduce the millage rate from 11.48 to 7.34 mills
- Outcome: Motion made by Council Member Wallace, seconded by Council Member Granison, and passed unanimously
Clayton County Millage Rates by City (2022–2024)
*Riverdale notably dropped city millage significantly from 11.480 in 2023 to 7.340 in 2024 (Georgia Tax Office, Fair Assessments).