Community Notice: Sep 25, 2025
Controversial Jonesboro Mayor Dr. Donya Sartor has used her position on the City’s Downtown Development Authority to call for a Special Called Meeting 2-Hours after (S.A.F.E.) filled an Open Records Request into her use of the Authority’s account to fund her city-wide Juneteenth event. It is believed that the process violates her position as Mayor and that she circumvented the Jonesboro City Council. It is believed that she spent close $75,000 on this event and used ($40,000 – $45,000) of the DDA’s money in unaccounted transactions. Also, it is believed she signed and executed contracts on behalf of the DDA when that should have been done by the Executive Director. The Mayor is an ex officio member of the DDA and should not be conducting such business.
The Meeting is tonight at 5PM at the Jonesboro City Hall.
Initial ORR was filed Monday, September 22nd at 2:01 PM and a meeting was called by the Mayor at 3:47 PM for Thursday, September 25th to discuss the submitted ORR and allow the Mayor to explain how she financed the Juneteenth and July 3rd events.
*This is very concerning because Jonesboro is already not a compliant City because a city audit has not been conducted and filed with DCA since 2023 when Mayor Sartor took over. The City cannot receive state funding. Keep in mind, she initially was going to resign earlier this year when the City Council forced her to execute an audit which still has not been completed. The auditor quit. It is believed she has messed up the City of Jonesboro money and has now messed up the Development Authority money and they are aiming to FINALLY hold her accountable.
PLEASE CONSIDER SHOWING UP!!!! The questions the Downtown Development Authority are going to ask are going to be VERY interesting following the Mayor’s report. This could lead to legal actions and even removal of the Mayor.
Please see the below ORR that was submitted on behalf of the organization S.A.F.E.
Dear Open Records Officer:
Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. (see below), I hereby request access to and copies of the following records related to the City of Jonesboro and the Downtown Development Authority of Jonesboro (DDA) with an emphasis Juneteenth and July 3rd concerts:
1 All invoices received then paid by the DDA that where issued to the City of Jonesboro.
2 All grant data within the applicable scope of time such as grants received and issued.
3 All donations within the applicable scope of time such as grants received and issued.
4 All sponsorships, or other forms of financial support, within the applicable scope of time which also includes in-kind exchanges.
5 The applicable scope of time is from September 1, 2023, through the present date.
6 Kindly include the following:
◦ Copies of invoices
◦ Copies of checks
◦ ACH and electronic payments
◦ Contracts and agreements
7 Solicitations requesting donations.
8 Marketing materials related to the events.
Please be advised that under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-74, failure to comply with a lawful request will result in legal action, including but not limited to an order from a court requiring production of the requested records and potential recovery of attorney’s fees and costs.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this request and look forward to receiving the requested records within the statutory timeframe of three business days as required by Georgia law.
Stay S.A.F.E.
Investigative Agent #43
• Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.)
• (b) (2) “Public record” means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received by an agency or by a private person or entity in the performance of a service or function for or on behalf of an agency or when such documents have been transferred to a private person or entity by an agency for storage or future governmental use.