McClellon sworn in as Habersham commissioner, cites budget and development code as priorities

CLARKESVILLE — Danny McClellon officially joined the Habersham County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday after taking the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at the Habersham County Courthouse.

Habersham County Probate Judge Pam Wooley administered the oath in her office before directing McClellon to sign the required oath documents, officially completing the swearing-in process. McClellon’s grandsons, Silas and Hudson, stood by his side during the ceremony. County Manager Tim Sims and County Clerk Brandy Carnes also attended.

McClellon will serve the remainder of former Commissioner Jimmy Tench’s District 3 term through Dec. 31 after winning a special election in May. He will then begin a full four-year term on Jan. 1, 2027, after also winning election to the seat’s next term.

Asked what he was most excited to begin working on as a commissioner, McClellon pointed to two of the county’s most significant issues: the fiscal year 2027 budget and the proposed Unified Development Ordinance.

“We’ll take a look at the budget and UDO, gotta do some work it and get it going,” McClellon said.

The comments come as county commissioners continue work on the proposed development code, which has been under review for months. The commission is expected to consider extending its housing moratorium during its June 15 meeting as discussions over the ordinance continue.

The proposed UDO has generated significant public interest and debate, with commissioners previously signaling they were unlikely to vote on the ordinance in June because of ongoing concerns and the need for additional revisions.

Asked specifically about the proposal, McClellon indicated he believes more work remains before the document is finalized.

“I’ve looked at it. Yes, haven’t I mean, I don’t have any thoughts yet, but well, we got some changes we still got to make,” he said.

McClellon was elected in both the special election to fill the remainder of Tench’s unexpired term and the regularly scheduled election for the next full term.

The unusual election arrangement resulted from Tench’s resignation before the expiration of his term, requiring voters to select both a commissioner to complete the remaining months of the current term and a commissioner to serve the next full term beginning in 2027.

In the special election, McClellon defeated Jason M. Smith with 56.8% of the vote, earning the right to immediately assume the District 3 seat. He also defeated Smith in the regular election with 56.78% of the vote.

Following his election victory in May, McClellon said his goal was to represent the wishes of District 3 residents.

“I’m just here to work for the people,” McClellon told Now Habersham following the election. “This election wasn’t about me. Basically just whatever the folks down here — the majority of them — want, that’s the way I’m going to vote.”

Wednesday’s ceremony restored the Habersham County Board of Commissioners to its full five-member membership and filled the District 3 vacancy left by Tench’s departure.