Dexter Fisher

Dexter Fisher

Commissioner Dexter Fisher, District 5

2023 – present

Represents the Forest Heights, Homewood Hills, Moss Side and Country Club Estates neighborhoods.

706-224-4313
dexter.fisher@accgov.com
Fisher’s Facebook page

Fisher was the Director of Facilities Management at UGA for 31 years, then worked as the Chief of District Services for the Clarke County School District until retiring in 2022. He has served on a number of boards and commissions in the Athens area, including the Piedmont-Athens Hospital Authority, the Athens Community Foundation and the Rotary Club. He is the President of UGARA at the University of Georgia which represents all UGA Retirees.

Fisher has a bachelor’s of social work from Mars Hill University and a master’s degree of business administration from Piedmont College.

Primary Ballots: Fisher almost always takes Democratic primary ballots.
Inferred Party: Democrat

The ACC Democratic Party considers Fisher to be a Democrat in good standing.

During the 2022 local election, Fisher was endorsed by Steve Middlebrooks, CEO of Heyward Allen Toyota, Republican donor and fundraiser for Athens Clean and Safe PAC. Middlebrooks donated $2,000 to Fisher’s campaign. Fisher was officially “recommended” by Athens Classic, an Athens Clean and Safe PAC partner organization. Fisher was also endorsed by Mayor Kelly Girtz.

Signature Issues

Delinquency Prevention Initiative: Fisher advocated for a delinquency prevention initiative and the reopening of community centers in Broadacres and Parkview using funding from Athens’ share of the American Rescue Plan. Together with Commissioner Tiffany Taylor, he was able to secure funding for the Boys and Girls Club to start this program in August 2023.

Single-Family Housing: Fisher has pushed for local government housing policy to focus on increasing the availability of single-family housing for working-class and middle-class professionals. He went so far as to vote against the acceptance of the 2023 affordable housing investment strategy because it focused on building affordable rental housing for low-income and working class people rather than on single-family housing.

Voting Record

Delay Barber Street Improvements: YES
Approve Mall Redevelopment: YES
Restart the Eviction Prevention Program: YES
Recognize the Firefighter’s Union: YES
Approve the FY 2024 Budget: NO, YES
Ban Indoor Vaping: YES
Start Delinquency Prevention Initiative: YES
Place Public Safety Monitor in Auditor’s Office: YES
Accept Affordable Housing Investment Strategy: NO
Accept Plan to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness: YES
Reject Pet Registration: YES
Close First Step Encampment and Extend Hotel Voucher Program: NO

(More information about 2023 votes.)

Interviews

Fisher went on Tim Bryant’s radio show in March after announcing his candidacy in 2022.

Fisher also went on WUGA during the 2022 campaign:

Election Results

Dexter Fisher 49.6%
Matt Pulver – 27.2%
Jared Bailey — 23.2%

Runoff:

Dexter Fisher 66.3%
Matt Pulver – 33.8%