Public Meetings - Dekalb County, Georgia

The Dekalb County Public Works and Infrastructure (PWI) Committee, chaired by Commissioner Robert Patrick, convened on April 21, 2026, to review a feasibility study on value capture for funding transit along Buford Highway and to receive an update on the wastewater capital improvement program (CIP). The committee also approved several routine contracts and agreements, including new garbage and recycling roll carts, sewer upgrade cost-sharing with developers, and an extension of a storm drainage contract. Two items were deferred to the next meeting. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval (2026-0654): Unanimously approved the minutes of the March 26, 2026, PWI Committee meeting. - Cooperative Agreement – Plastic Refuse and Recycling Containers (2026-0510): Approved a contract with Rarek Pacific Company, not to exceed $654,271, to provide various sizes of garbage and recycling roll carts. The contract includes 18-, 35-, 65-, and 95-gallon carts, with the 18-gallon carts supporting the sustainable schools program. Discussions included sticker labeling for recycling guidelines and automated arm compatibility for smaller carts. - Change Order – CNG Fueling Station Maintenance (2026-0579): Approved a $35,000 increase and term extension through November 30, 2026, with Atlanta Gaslight Company for routine and on-call maintenance at the Seminole Road Landfill and Central Transfer Station. - Sewer Upgrade Agreement – Wesley Woods Senior Living (2026-0661): Approved a contribution of $591,500 from Wesley Woods for sewer upgrades at 2920 North Decatur Road, supporting 24 beds and 176 low-income housing units. County contribution not to exceed $185,000. - Sewer Upgrade Agreement – Related Development (2026-0662): Approved a contribution of $922,500 from Related Development for sewer upgrades at 2601 Briarcliff Road, supporting 381 residential units, 55,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, and a 140-room hotel. County contribution not to exceed the same amount, with the equitable split due to pre-planned consent decree work. - Change Order – Storm Drainage System Construction (2026-0617): Approved a time extension through December 31, 2027 (no additional funds) to align contract periods with grant drawdown schedules for multi-year stormwater contracts. - Renewal of Master Agreement – PATH Foundation (2026-0588): Approved a five-year renewal of the master agreement with the PATH Foundation for professional expertise and trail construction services, allowing competitive bidding and acceptance of PATH funds. The following items were held in committee pending audit reports: 2026-0604, 2026-0606, 2026-0613, and 2026-0627. Discussion Items Value Capture Feasibility Study for Buford Highway Transit (KB Advisory Group) Jeff Koskey of KB Advisory Group presented findings from a study funded by District 1 to evaluate local value capture tools that could help fund a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) line along Buford Highway. Key points included: - The study analyzed 56,000 parcels within one mile of the corridor, currently worth $19 billion in tax-appraised value. - The highest estimate suggests up to $1 billion could be captured over 20 years using tools such as Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), special service districts (SSDs), community improvement districts (CIDs), and sales tax increment financing (not currently authorized in Georgia). - However, TADs would capture only 9% of value in the first five years and 29% in the first ten years, making bonding necessary. - Koskey noted that ART/BRT yields lower property value increases than rail, so value capture alone cannot fully fund the project, which is estimated to cost $500 million to $1 billion. A "layer cake" of federal, state, regional, and local funding is typical. - Commissioners Terry and Johnson expressed support for replicating the study on other corridors (e.g., Clifton Corridor, Candler Road) to match affordable transit modes (e.g., autonomous shuttles) with available funding. Commissioner Patrick defended rail investment for equity and reliability, noting rail moves the most people consistently. Koskey agreed that a county-wide additional sales tax could generate substantially more revenue. CIP Update – Wastewater Collection and Transmission System Director Maria Hauser introduced the fourth session of the CIP 2026 update, focusing on wastewater collection and transmission. Presenters included Brad Clickley (Jacobs Engineering) and Engineering Manager Aaliyah Johnson. Highlights: - Small Diameter Sewers & Lift Stations (Brad Clickley): - 80% of the collection system has been assessed; remaining 20% is ongoing. - Since 2019, 42 capacity projects replaced 34 miles of sewer and eliminated 32 repeat overflow locations. - A $4 million septic-to-sewer conversion at Bend Creek Road (Dunwoody area) is 50% complete. - The Gwinnett flow reversal project (Lucky Shoals/Camp Creek) is under review; a three-year extension to 2029 is being requested to evaluate options. - Four lift stations are scheduled for replacement; two will be converted to gravity sewer. - Trunk Sewer Projects (Aaliyah Johnson): - Ten trunk sewer projects totaling 29 miles of gravity sewers (8 to 72 inches) are identified under the consent decree. - The Shoal Creek Trunk Sewer is the largest, spanning 13 miles from Snapfinger Plant to Decatur. Section 1 (20,000 feet, 72-inch pipe) was awarded to John D. Stephens for $51 million in March 2026, with a three-year construction timeline. - Six early construction locations will capture overflows during wet weather using parallel sewers and portable bypass pumps. - Permitting is underway for interstate crossings (I-20, I-285) and environmental permits. - Each project has a dedicated website, virtual meeting room, and public open houses. - Commissioner Terry raised the possibility of future trail connections along sewer easements (e.g., Shoal Creek as part of the Countywide Trails Master Plan). Director Wells noted maintenance challenges but expressed openness to exploring options. Key Outcomes - The committee received and filed the Buford Highway value capture study. Staff will distribute the final report. - All consent calendar items were approved unanimously with proper motions and seconds. - The four watershed management contracts were held in committee pending audit reports. - Two items were deferred to the next meeting: Resolution 2026-0744 (adjusting tire tipping fees) and Resolution 2025-1787 (environmental equity in sanitation). Committee goals will also be discussed at that time.

The Employee Relations and Public Safety (ERPS) Committee of DeKalb County met on April 21, 2026, under the chairmanship of Commissioner Ladina Bolton (Super District 7). Committee members present included Commissioner Nicole Masaya (District 3) and Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson (District 5), along with other commissioners. The agenda covered fire station construction awards, public safety grants, investigative tools, animal welfare ordinances, littering regulations, and updates on employee benefits and committee goals. Consent Calendar - Minutes (Item 2026-0652): The minutes from the March 26, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously. Discussion Items - Fire Station Construction RFP (Item 2026-0532): A request for proposals for fire stations 5, 16, and 27 with a recommended award to Cooper and Company General Constructions Inc. at a not-to-exceed amount of $26,588,000. The project includes replacing stations built in 1952 and 1968 and a new station in southeast DeKalb. Discussion included LSBE participation and future stations (including station 14 and Blackburn Park). The item was deferred for two weeks to allow audit completion. - DUI Task Force Grant (Item 2026-0592): An amendment to the FY2026 HEAT grant to include a county match of $30,194.81, bringing total grant value to approximately $151,000. Approved. - Investigative Tool Subscription (Item 2026-0635): A five-year subscription to LeadsOnline for nationwide stolen property searches, costing $239,484.96. Approved. - Pet Shop Ordinance (Item 2026-0278): A proposal to prohibit retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in unincorporated DeKalb County. Deferred two weeks for further legal review. - Animal Tethering Ordinance (Item 2026-0596): An ordinance to strengthen existing animal tethering rules. Deferred two weeks. - Scrap Tire and Littering Resolution (Item 2025-0683): A resolution to address egregious littering and illegal dumping of scrap tires. Deferred two weeks for review of proposed text amendments. - Open Enrollment Preview: Human Resources presented the marketing plan for employee benefits open enrollment, running May 4–18, 2026. The county covers basic life insurance for all employees; employees with HSAs or FSAs must re-enroll. In-person sessions are scheduled for field employees and others. The cost of outreach ($70,000) is covered by permissible insurance commissions. - Committee Goals: The committee reviewed goals for the year, including quarterly operational updates from E911, fire, medical examiner, and animal services. Priorities for upcoming meetings: animal services (transitioning from OPS) and the medical examiner’s office (opioid settlement fund use). Other topics included a blasting ordinance for the Stonecrest/Lithonia area and county pension changes (still under discussion). Key Outcomes - Approved: - Meeting minutes (Item 2026-0652). - HEAT grant amendment (Item 2026-0592). - LeadsOnline subscription (Item 2026-0635). - Deferred (two weeks): - Fire station RFP (Item 2026-0532) pending audit. - Pet shop ordinance (Item 2026-0278). - Animal tethering ordinance (Item 2026-0596). - Scrap tire resolution (Item 2025-0683). - Next Steps: Animal services and medical examiner updates to be scheduled; county pension changes to be advanced; open enrollment begins May 4.

DeKalb County Operations Committee Meeting - April 21, 2026\n\nThe DeKalb County Operations Committee (Ops Committee) met on April 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM, chaired by Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson. The committee approved several routine items, including funding for HVAC repairs at fire stations, police uniform contracts, and AV equipment for the Maloof Annex Auditorium. It also realigned committee responsibilities by moving animal enforcement services and fleet management to other committees. A discussion on proposed changes to the standing procedural rules and a charter review regarding subpoena powers and community engagement programs took place but no final votes were taken on those items.\n\n Consent Calendar\n- Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the minutes from the April 21st, April 14th special call, and April 16th special call meetings. (Motion to approve items 0366, 072, 7252, and 0753.)\n- Change Order for HVAC Repairs (Item 260278): Approved a $300,000 increase to the contract with B&W Mechanical Contractors, Inc. for on-call HVAC services at fire stations. The contract runs through July 31, 2026.\n- Change Order for Police Uniforms (Item 260279): Approved a $556,000 increase to contracts with Calls, LLC and Smyrna Police Distributors for work uniforms for public safety personnel, due to increased staffing and higher costs.\n- AV Equipment for Maloof Annex Auditorium (Item 260761): Approved $1,000,000 for Atlanta Soundworks LLC to purchase and install audio-visual equipment in the Maloof Auditorium, including displays, screens, cameras, and speakers for broadcasting meetings and events.\n- Committee Responsibility Realignment (Item 260729): Approved updating the Board of Commissioners’ committee areas of responsibility by moving Animal Enforcement Services from the Ops Committee to the Employee Relations and Public Safety (ERPS) Committee, and moving Fleet Management from Ops to the Public Works and Infrastructure (PWI) Committee.\n\n Discussion Items\n- Standing Procedural Rules (Blue Book): The committee reviewed a tracker of decisions on the standing procedural rules. Commissioners agreed to note sections without contention to avoid re-discussing them. A proposal by Commissioner Long Spears to change speaker times for commissioners to five minutes for the first speech, three minutes for the second, and no third speech was discussed. The committee decided to place this as an agenda item for the April 28th meeting, with the law department drafting the language for both a temporary and a permanent change.\n- Charter Review – Section 9 (Powers and Duties of the Commission): The committee discussed two Charter Review Commission recommendations:\n 1. Community Engagement Programs: The CRC recommended adding language to allow the Board of Commissioners to establish community engagement programs (e.g., community councils, neighborhood planning units). The CEO’s office requested additional information; no position was stated.\n 2. Subpoena Power: The CRC recommended giving the BOC subpoena power to investigate county affairs, subject to an authorizing resolution. The CEO opposed, stating it blurs lines between executive and legislative powers. Commissioner Terry argued for a compromise allowing the BOC to subpoena only the CEO as a backstop to obtain critical information. Commissioner Bowden and Patrick opposed subpoena power, citing the adequacy of existing mechanisms like open records requests and the independent auditor. Commissioner Johnson expressed support for the CEO’s position. No vote was taken; discussion was deferred.\n\n Key Outcomes\n- All items on the consent calendar were approved unanimously.\n- The committee directed staff to add an agenda item for the April 28th meeting to amend the standing procedural rules regarding commissioner speaker times. The law department will prepare the necessary language for immediate effect and a permanent change.\n- No decisions were made on the charter review recommendations; discussion will continue at a future meeting.\n- The committee noted that staff will update the standing rules tracker to highlight uncontested sections.\n- Commissioner Johnson requested that the status of the HVAC system at the Dunwoody Library be assessed and the findings shared with Dunwoody council members.\n- The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 PM.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held a Committee of the Whole meeting on April 21, 2026, chaired by Presiding Officer Commissioner Shaira Johnson. The meeting included committee reports, review of the proposed executive agenda for April 28, 2026, and a discussion on scheduling an in-depth data center ordinance debate at a future nighttime meeting. Committee Reports - Public Works and Infrastructure (Commissioner Patrick): Reported seven items from the last meeting, including a sewer maintenance contract, CIP update, and upcoming discussions on bus rapid transit funding. - County Operations (Commissioner Davis Johnson): Discussed proposed rule changes to reduce commissioner speaking time to eight minutes total (five first, three second). Also reported on the charter review committee’s discussions, including age requirements for office (state law sets 21; DeKalb had previously set 25 but now aligns with state) and voter registration qualifications. - Employee Relations and Public Safety (Commissioner Bolton): Approved items for fire training campus study, first responder kits, and smoke alarm donations. Deferred an animal restraint ordinance for further discussion at the next ERPS meeting. - PECS (Commissioner Masaya): Reported six items on the April 14 agenda: three recommended for approval and three deferred to the April 28 BOC meeting. Ongoing work on data center text amendments was highlighted. - FAB (Commissioner Terry): Covered CIP updates, water billing status (including condo complexes and inactive Emory accounts), and the Urban League’s debt amnesty program. Several items were deferred to the next committee meeting. Review of Proposed Executive Agenda (April 28, 2026) Chief Operating Officer Williams and Chief of Staff May presented the agenda assignments. Key items included: - One public hearing (traffic calming petition, $15,100). - Four appointments to county authorities (all to PECS committee). - Three airport lease terminations (consent). - Acceptance of a $3,259.50 grant from ACCG for an intern (consent). - Resolution authorizing $142.3 million in tax anticipation notes (direct to BOC meeting). - Transfer of $850,000 to senior services grant fund (PECS). - Police services grants and data subscription (ERPS). - Calendar change for July zoning meeting (consent). - Various purchasing and contracting items assigned to appropriate committees. - Two sewer upgrade agreements for Wesley Woods Senior Living and Related Development LLC (both to PWI). - The board agreed to move the zoning calendar change to consent and requested more detail on the ACCG grant. Discussion on Data Centers Commissioners agreed to schedule a more in-depth discussion on data center text amendments (primarily item 0341) at the next nighttime Committee of the Whole meeting on June 2, 2026, at Lou Walker Center. Commissioner Terry suggested moving the location to districts impacted by data centers (3, 6, 7), but after debate the board kept the original location, citing logistical constraints. Staff will prepare a survey to collect commissioner questions and may involve other county departments (e.g., watershed) and external experts on water usage and noise. Commissioner Masaya noted four related agenda items. The board directed staff to also briefly mention the other items at the meeting to inform constituents. Key Outcomes - Rule change proposal: Commissioner Long Spears suggested adopting an immediate reduction of speaking time to five minutes first, three minutes second (from current 10+10). The presiding officer preferred formal inclusion in the blue book; no vote was taken. - Data center discussion: Scheduled for June 2 nighttime COW at Lou Walker Center. Planning staff will provide an overview and text amendment details. - Meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m. (estimated) with a motion and second, over the objection of one commissioner who requested time for commissioner comments. The motion passed with one opposed.

The DeKalb County Operations (Ops) Committee held a special call meeting on April 16, 2026, to continue discussions on standing procedural rules and the Charter Review Commission's recommendations. Key topics included unanimous consent procedures, voting tabulation districts (VTDs), eligibility requirements for commissioners and the CEO, vacancy succession, and a proposed rule to automatically remove agenda items that receive four no votes. Consent Calendar - None discussed; the meeting focused on rule changes and charter review items. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were received. Discussion Items - Unanimous Consent and Preliminary Items: The committee finalized language requiring unanimous consent of all commissioners present to place items on the consent agenda, including walk-on items. The language now reads "unanimous consent of the commissioners present" and adds "including walk-on items" after "any preliminary item." A motion may still be made to move an item from preliminary to consent if needed. - VTDs (Voting Tabulation Districts): Director Keisha Smith explained that VTDs are technical tools used by the Census Bureau and are not referenced by the elections department for operations. After debate, the committee agreed to keep VTDs in the charter for reference, but also directed that GIS should maintain accessible maps with census data and VTDs, with a charter reference to where the data is housed. - Eligibility for Commissioner and CEO: The committee discussed updating age and residency requirements to mirror state law (minimum age 21, residency 12 months for commissioners; CEO age 30, residency 5 years currently). Legal analysis from Deputy Attorney Welch suggests state law caps the age at 21 and residency at 12 months, which could require lowering the commissioner age from 25. The committee deferred final decision to obtain further legal clarification, including the source of the current 25-age requirement and whether registered voter status should be added as a qualification. - Vacancy Succession: The committee reviewed language for temporary vacancies (e.g., suspension of CEO). Concerns were raised that the proposed language only covers suspension, not other incapacitations (e.g., coma). Members agreed to broaden the language to any form of incapacitation and asked the law department to research state and federal practices and propose a time-based or cause-neutral mechanism. - Automatic Removal of Failed Agenda Items: A proposed rule would automatically remove a non-zoning agenda item that receives at least four no votes (denial) without needing a separate motion. Supporters argued it reduces disrespectful motions to deny and aligns with the new legislative vetting process. Opponents cited unintended consequences, such as blocking contracts or forcing re‑introduction. The committee deferred to the law department to study operational and legal implications and report back. Key Outcomes - Unanimous consent language approved as amended: requires consent of all commissioners present for preliminary/walk-on items; staff to finalize wording. - VTDs will remain in the charter; GIS department to maintain accessible maps; charter to reference where data is available. - Age/residency requirements for commissioners and CEO deferred for legal research; staff to provide analysis on state law caps and history of current requirements. - Vacancy language to be broadened beyond suspension; law department to research and propose inclusive language for any incapacitation. - Four-no-vote automatic removal rule deferred; law department to assess implications and report at the next committee meeting. - The committee agreed to continue charter review and rule discussions at future special call meetings, with the next scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (committee of the whole).

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics met on April 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM to handle routine approvals, hear the Ethics Officer’s monthly report, conduct probable cause hearings in two companion cases, and enter executive session. The meeting was chaired by Bob Dallas, with a quorum present. Consent Calendar - The proposed agenda was adopted unanimously. - Minutes from the February 19, 2026, meeting were approved. - Minutes from the March 19, 2026, meeting (which lacked a quorum and adjourned at 6:31 PM) were also approved. Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report - Training: 381 new employees have been trained in-person since March 19, 2026. Training for managers and supervisors began in March; upcoming sessions include Human Services and Planning & Sustainability. The Board of Commissioners staff, including the chief of staff, requested training. - Ethics Blasts: March was Ethics Awareness Month; blasts covered working for a county vendor, prohibited sources, and implicit biases. - Ethics Forum: Scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Featured speakers: CEO Lorraine Cochrane Johnson and Senator Elena Parent. - Hotline Reports: Six reports received; two were within jurisdiction (court-related, probate court), four were referred (school issues, city of Atlanta matter, eviction issue). - Disclosure Forms: Due April 17, 2026; three members were reminded. - Subpoena Power: The Ethics Officer requested approval to issue subpoenas electronically for the probable cause hearings; the Chair approved. - Pending Cases: Two cases were on the docket for probable cause hearings. Probable Cause Hearings Both companion cases were heard together: Diane C. Moore vs. Johnny Mitchell (Case 2025-8) and Diane C. Moore vs. Kimberly K. Washington (Case 2025-16). Neither respondent nor their representative appeared. - Summary of Allegations: Both respondents were former employees of the Parks and Recreation Department. Complainant alleged that Johnny Mitchell failed to report to work on 16 separate dates (May 4–August 24, 2025) but received compensation and benefits. Kimberly Washington, the co-respondent, facilitated this by clocking him in and out on those days—resulting in 32 separate clock-in/clock-out entries. Both resigned in lieu of termination after an internal investigation found misconduct. - Ethics Officer’s Presentation: The Ethics Officer detailed that clocking in/out for time not worked constitutes theft by deception under Georgia law and violates DeKalb County Code 22A-7 (Prescribed Conduct). Johnny Mitchell admitted to one incident but claimed it was inadvertent; the Ethics Officer noted 15 additional days remained unexplained. Human Resources documentation (from Deputy Director Kevin Buford) confirmed both employees voluntarily resigned and were deemed ineligible for rehire. - Board Votes: The evidence was admitted for both cases (unanimous). The Board then voted separately to find probable cause for both cases, unanimously deciding to proceed to evidentiary hearings. Public Comments No members of the public offered comments. Board Comments & Executive Session - Board members expressed disappointment that the matter had not already been prosecuted and that respondents did not appear. One member suggested the case should have been referred directly to the solicitor. - The Board unanimously voted to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation and personnel matters. - After the session, the Board approved the executive session affidavit and adjourned. Key Outcomes - Minutes from February and March 2026 meetings approved. - Probable cause found in both Diane C. Moore vs. Johnny Mitchell (Case 2025-8) and Diane C. Moore vs. Kimberly K. Washington (Case 2025-16); both cases will proceed to evidentiary hearings. - The next regular Board of Ethics meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2026.

The Planning, Economic Development, and Community Services (PECS) committee of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners met on April 14, 2026, at 8:30 PM ET. Chair Nicole Messiah presided over the meeting, with Commissioners Robert Patrick (District 1), Michelle Long Spears (District 2), and Ted Terry (District 6) participating. The committee addressed routine approvals, a public safety ordinance deferral, and extensive discussions on data center regulations, including a proposed baseline assessment study and a resolution to amend the text amendment. Consent Calendar - 2026-0637 (Minutes): Approved unanimously. (Motion by Commissioner Patrick, second by Commissioner Messiah.) - 2025-1760 (Park Pride Grant): Approved unanimously. $50,000 grant from Park Pride for a playground at Fraser Row Park. Director Bass presented the item. Commissioner Patrick expressed gratitude for community partnerships. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during this committee meeting. Discussion Items - 2026-0550 (Public Safety Ordinance): Commissioner Messiah deferred this item for two weeks to allow further review of legal tweaks. Commissioner Terry requested the draft ordinance be circulated to the full board. The interim county attorney clarified that the process requires Commissioner Messiah's permission to share. The committee voted unanimously to defer for two weeks. - 2026-0244 & 2026-0245 (Data Center Baseline Assessment & Third-Party Analysis): These two items were considered together. Commissioner Terry explained that the resolution (0244) would require a baseline assessment before issuing land disturbance permits for data centers, and the allocation (0245) would provide $15,000 from the general fund to Science for Georgia to conduct that assessment. Commissioner Patrick preferred a countywide health and socioeconomic baseline not tied to data centers. Deputy Director Bragg stated that staff had already incorporated many of Science for Georgia's recommendations into the proposed text amendment, including specific impact studies for each application. Commissioner Terry noted that the study would address PFAS concerns and community benefits agreements. Commissioner Patrick requested a watershed management expert address water quality at the next meeting. The committee voted to defer both items for two weeks. - 2026-0341 (Resolution to Update Data Center Regulations): Commissioner Terry proposed three amendments: (1) require a special land use permit (SLUP) for all data center applications; (2) strike the data center campus definition to cap developments at 500,000 square feet; (3) incentivize 100% renewable energy use. Deputy Director Bragg provided staff analysis: SLUP for all could discourage small, low-impact reuse of vacant industrial sites; campus cap might deter large end-users like Google or Microsoft; the renewable incentive was acceptable. Commissioner Patrick suggested a review of properties that could meet the current by-right exception. Commissioner Terry argued that without a SLUP, large developments could bypass community input. The committee voted to defer the resolution to the May 12, 2026, meeting. They also discussed holding a town hall or committee-of-the-whole meeting to allow public participation, with a preference for the June 2 evening COW meeting. Key Outcomes - Deferrals: All three major agenda items (2026-0550, 2026-0244/0245, and 2026-0341) were deferred to future meetings (two weeks or May 12). - Future Meetings: The committee will continue data center discussions at the May 12 meeting. A committee-of-the-whole meeting on June 2 (evening) was proposed for broader public input. - Staff Direction: Deputy Director Bragg will map properties that could qualify for by-right data center development under the current ordinance. The interim county attorney encouraged commissioners to email technical questions to staff outside of meetings.

The Finance Audit and Budget (FAB) Committee, chaired by Commissioner Ted Terry and joined by Commissioners Shekira Johnson, Michelle Long Spears, and Patrick (arriving later), met on April 14, 2026, to discuss capital improvement planning (CIP), water billing and customer assistance, and other fiscal matters. The meeting included updates from Budget Director Siegler and Water Director Diane McNabb, along with a presentation from the Urban League on the county's water rate assistance program. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes from the March 24, 2026, meeting (motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded, all in favor). Discussion Items - Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Update: Budget Director Siegler presented the status of the five-year CIP planning process. Key points included: - Definition of capital projects: assets worth $25,000 or more with a useful life of five years or greater. - In FY26, the operating budget appropriated only $1.5 million for capital from tax funds due to delayed consideration, down from $23–24 million in recent years and $51.3 million in 2023. - Departments submitted 117 general fund requests totaling $141.6 million over five years; across all tax funds, 173 requests for $244.6 million. - A CIP committee (staff-appointed by the CEO) will rank projects using criteria: legal mandates, critical need, alignment with strategic priorities, and community impact. - The goal is to produce a five-year recommendation by summer 2026, with a funding recommendation for the current year before the end of April. - Commissioners requested that individual committee reviews (e.g., Operations for animal services) also feed into FAB, and that the administration share all board commissioner requests (e.g., Atlanta DeKalb Senior Center update) to ensure completeness. - Water Rate Assistance Program (Urban League): Dorna Wordlaw from the Urban League reported on the program from August 2025 through February 2026: - Received 909 applications; only 85 (under 10%) approved due to various eligibility issues. - 514 applicants were ineligible: 388 had water bills already below the affordability index (4.5% of gross income), 126 had bills higher due to overconsumption (referred to conservation education and DeKalb Cares plumbing repair). - 172 applications were pending due to missing documentation; 83 hardship cases, 21 income-ineligible, 31 inactive accounts, 3 reapplied too early. - Outreach is expanding: events at senior centers, schools, recreation centers; a one-pager with QR code will be inserted in water bills; geotargeted social media ads are planned. - Commissioners encouraged continued marketing and asked for updated March numbers. - Water Billing Update (Director McNabb): Presented aging accounts and collection status: - Active accounts total $137.5 million outstanding, with $19.5 million current and $5 million at 31–60 days. Older debts are often covered by liens on property sales. - Condos account for $27 million outstanding, much of it years old; commissioners noted systemic issues and called for creative solutions. - Inactive accounts: $29 million homeowner (leined) and $93 million tenant balances; tenants rarely pay, but records are kept for future account openings. - The county has 749 active liens on owner properties, 58 on condos, 47 on apartments, and 63 on commercial properties. - Payment plans: only 2,700 active, with many defaults because disconnections were low due to a print vendor issue (disconnection notices not being mailed). The county plans to resume disconnections soon (historically 300–400 per day) and has referred customers to Urban League for assistance. - A new collection agency contract is planned for inactive accounts. - Commissioners discussed tenant protections and the need to address leaky pipes where landlords won't repair; referral to Urban League and DeKalb Cares for plumbing repairs was noted. Key Outcomes - Approved March 24 meeting minutes. - CIP team will present a funding recommendation for FY26 by end of April and a full five-year plan by summer 2026; board committees will review department-specific requests before final FAB discussion. - Urban League will continue outreach and provide March data; commissioners will help promote the program via newsletters and events. - Water billing will see increased disconnection notices; further discussion on condo accounts and tenant issues is scheduled for the next FAB meeting. - Two unspecified agenda items were held in committee without action. - Meeting adjourned.

DeKalb County Operations Committee Special Called Meeting - April 14, 2026\n\nThe Operations Committee (OPS) of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held a special called meeting on April 14, 2026, chaired by Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson, with Commissioners Robert Patrick and Ladina Bowden present. The committee discussed three proposed amendments to the board's standing procedural rules: commissioner speaking time limits, committee chair authority over agenda items, and unanimous consent for acting on preliminary or walk-on items. No formal votes were taken; the committee's recommendations will be forwarded to the full board.\n\n Discussion Items\n\n1. Speaking Time Limits for Commissioners\n- Chair Davis Johnson proposed reducing the current 10-minute initial speaking time plus 10-minute rebuttal (20 minutes total per commissioner) to 5 minutes for the first presentation and 3 minutes for rebuttal (8 minutes total). She noted that committee meetings are the proper venue for detailed discussion.\n- Commissioner Robert Patrick expressed comfort with the suggestion. Commissioner Ladina Bowden stated support. Commissioner Long Spears (referenced but not present as a voting member of OPS? Actually transcript mentions Commissioner Long Spears as supporting in previous meeting) supported the 5-3 split. Commissioner Shakira Johnson (deputy presiding officer) also favored 5-3. The committee agreed to recommend the 5-minute initial, 3-minute rebuttal limit.\n\n2. Committee Chair Authority to Exclude Items from Agenda\n- The committee reviewed a proposed rule stating \"the committee chair does not have the right to exclude items from a committee agenda.\" Chair Davis Johnson noted past instances where items were kept off an agenda for nine months. Commissioner Patrick suggested that the previously discussed 90-day cycle (a quarterly special call meeting for items not heard within 90 days) already addresses the concern, making the explicit prohibition unnecessary.\n- The committee agreed to remove the sentence about the chair not having the right to exclude, relying instead on the 90-day cycle. Commissioner Terry (not on OPS? He participates in discussion) asked about a majority of the committee adding items over the chair's objection. Attorney Phillips explained that current rules allow any commissioner to add an item, and the 90-day cycle provides a safety valve.\n- The committee also confirmed that the 90-day special call meeting would be mandatory, and any item deferred would be heard with explanation from the sponsoring commissioner.\n\n3. Unanimous Consent for Acting on Preliminary Items (Walk-Ons)\n- The committee discussed when items that have only been read once or are walk-ons can be acted upon immediately. The original proposal required unanimous consent of all commissioners. Commissioner Long Spears suggested a two-thirds vote (five of seven) instead.\n- Chair Davis Johnson noted that in previous conversations, the law department strongly discouraged acting on same-day items and preferred unanimous consent. Commissioner Patrick argued that a five-vote threshold could create political division, while unanimous consent fosters unity. Commissioner Bowden pointed out that some discretionary fund allocations do not require board approval and are only recorded for transparency.\n- Attorney Phillips advised caution, emphasizing that the key consideration should be the reason for the action (whether it is truly \"necessary\"), not the vote count. He warned against using \"necessity\" as cover for a failure to prepare.\n- The committee appeared to lean toward a five-vote requirement (two-thirds of the full board) with the qualifier that the item must be deemed \"necessary\" rather than merely \"urgent.\" No formal motion was made; the discussion concluded with the understanding that the language would be refined.\n\n Key Outcomes\n- The committee reached consensus to recommend reducing commissioner speaking time limits to 5 minutes initially and 3 minutes for rebuttal.\n- The committee agreed to remove the sentence \"A committee chair does not have the right to exclude items from a committee agenda\" from the rules, relying instead on the mandatory 90-day special call cycle for items not heard.\n- On unanimous consent for walk-on items, the committee discussed a two-thirds (five-vote) threshold with a \"necessary\" justification, but no final recommendation was adopted. The item will be further refined at a future meeting.\n- The meeting was adjourned without a formal vote; these discussions serve as recommendations to the full Board of Commissioners.