Chair-Elect Mo Ivory, who defeated longtime Chair Robb Pitts in the Democratic primary runoff before winning the general election, said she wants residents to see "a new level of class to the way that we deal with each other and our decorum." She said decisions will rely more on data analysis and research and less on politics.

Ivory, speaking from her Grant Park home, said she wants to change how the commission operates. "I don't want to be a part of just the way that it's always been," she said, adding that she wants to bring a functional, businesslike approach to meetings that have often run long.

The incoming commissioners include Helen Willis, Maggie Goldman, Jodi Merriday, and Rohit Malhotra. They join holdovers Bob Ellis and Abdur-Rahman in representing a board that will be closely watched as it addresses long-standing problems.

Among the biggest challenges: an underfunded court system and dangerous conditions at the county jail. In April, the commission approved $1.63 billion for a new detention facility, but commissioners say more work is needed. The county has also proposed a new hospital in Union City.

Goldman, a Democrat, said she was motivated to run by what she saw as a lack of responsiveness. "I think it's an opportunity to make a new level of leadership," she said. "It's a generational opportunity."

Malhotra, who won a special election for the District 4 seat, said the board must focus on public health and other priorities. "The public health issue is one of the top priorities," he said. "We need to fund grants for overdose prevention and treatment."

Willis, a former South Fulton city councilmember, said she wants to examine the county's commercial real estate assessment and address funding for health facilities.

Merriday, elected in District 3, said she spent her first days after the election talking with residents about their plans for their neighborhoods.

The new board will be sworn in during the first week of January. Ivory will fill the chair's seat until a special election is held next year.

Outgoing Commissioner Bob Ellis said he hopes the new members will work together. "We have to work with the new members and ensure that our tax dollars provide the best services possible," he said.

The election comes as Fulton County faces scrutiny over its jail, where detainees have reported dangerous conditions. The commission has been investigating the jail's operations and has considered a plan to address the problems.

Ivory said she wants to bring a more collaborative approach to the board. "We have to work together," she said. "We have to be able to have those conversations."

The new commissioners will take office as the county prepares its next budget and continues to grapple with the fallout from the 2020 election, when former President Donald Trump pressured Georgia officials to overturn his loss. Fulton County was at the center of that effort, and the county's district attorney, Fani Willis, brought racketeering charges against Trump and others.

Helen Willis, who is not related to Fani Willis, said she wants to focus on local issues. "We have to make sure that we're addressing the needs of our constituents," she said.

The commission's makeover reflects a broader shift in Fulton County politics, where Democrats have consolidated control and voters have embraced candidates who promise to tackle systemic problems.

As the new board prepares to take office, residents will be watching to see whether the promised collaboration and data-driven approach translate into progress on the jail, the courts, and health care.