Montgomery Board of Commissioners Announce State Takeover of Election Supervisor Investigation

The Montgomery Board of Commissioners announced the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office had officially taken over an investigation into allegations against Montgomery County Election Supervisor Sheila Cheeks during their monthly meeting on Oct. 13.

“At this time, we have been told by the sheriff’s office that it has been turned over to the secretary of state,” said Board Chairman Ginger Morris. “It is now in their hands, and that is the latest information we have.”

The investigation stems from allegations made on the FaceBook account “The Georgia Independent” operated by Neil Singleton. According to Singleton, he had received affidavits of two Uvalda City Council candidates, Elaine Manning and Stephanie Kerr, and noticed discrepancies between them, primarily incorrect dates and a lack of stamps.

Singleton also claims after further communication, Cheeks said the date discrepancy was a mistake which she corrected. He alleged the initial mistake and the correction both violate state law and notary law.

Both County Clerk Renee Cason and County Manager Heather Scott said county officials had no other information other than what they had been told by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and what was posted on social media.

According to Morris, citizens will be informed of any changes regarding the case.

During the Board’s called meeting on Oct. 17, the board adopted resolutions to levy a 14.853 percent millage rate, down from 2024’s millage rate of 14.857 percent, and accept the Montgomery County Board of Education’s proposed millage rate of 14.746 percent. Commissioner Leland Adams offered motions to accept both resolutions, with the county millage rate passing unanimously and the Board of Education millage rate passing 3-1, with Commissioner Amie Vassey against.

Prior to the votes, Vassey challenged the other Board members to think of ways to reduce the county’s budget over the next 12 months, with hopes to reduce the millage rate by 0.5% when the decision returns in 2026.

“Let’s aim, I would say, to lower it by 0.5, I think that would be a healthy and attainable goal, and that’s what I hope to achieve over the next year as a commissioner, and I hope that you guys will join me in those efforts,” said Vassey.

During the regular meeting, the board considered adopting a resolution to adopt a new comprehensive plan. Vassey suggested delaying the adoption so the county manager could compare prices for creating the comprehensive plan, but other commissioners voted to accept the resolution following a motion from Adams.

The board also considered opting out of the mobile home decal requirement, a resolution Tax Commissioner Renee Wooten-Perry has brought to the board every month since July. Vassey offered a motion to accept the resolution, which failed without a second.

Public Works Director Robert Lewis gave the Board an update on county road work, stating the Montgomery County Road Department was grading and pulling up ditches to build up low areas on certain roads. The department also moved 169 loads of dirt and replaced pipes on Old Bethel Road, Buckhorn Creek Road and several driveways.

County Manager Scott also announced FEMA had been cleared to begin road repair in the county.

Toomes-Montgomery EMS Director Drew James reported the service had received 92 calls in Montgomery County in September. He also announced CPR training for the Montgomery County School System would be held on December 19, and he was expecting to receive $9,000 from a trauma grant.

The board also reviewed the September 2025 financial report, delivered by County Manager Scott. According to the report, the county earned 65.7% of its projected revenue, while the county’s total expenditures totalled 67.1% of its budget of $5,794,561.12.

In individual expenditures, general government costs have totaled 67.9% of its budget of $1,410,312.40; judicial costs have totaled 70.1 percent of its budget of $574,884.05; public safety costs have totaled 69% of its budget of $1,866,647.16; public works costs have totaled 52.1 percent of its budget of $1,151,676.68; health and welfare costs have totaled 74.9 percent of its budget of $53,250; culture and recreation costs have totaled 93.1 percent of its budget of $120,311.83; housing and development costs have totaled 55.8 percent of its budget of $90,898.35; debt service costs have totaled 74.9 percent of its budget of $31,656 and other financing use costs have totaled 83.5 percent of its budget of $494,924.65.