Public Meetings - Dekalb County, Georgia

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections held its regularly scheduled meeting on April 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The board unanimously approved the agenda, minutes from March 12 and March 16, 2026, certified the District 94 special election runoff, authorized a public relations agreement, and received updates on operations, budget, and legislative issues. Public comments focused on the unresolved QR code issue in Georgia election law and the need for legislative action. Consent Calendar - Approved the agenda (motion, second, unanimous voice vote). - Approved meeting minutes for March 12 and March 16, 2026 (motion amended to correct dates, second, unanimous voice vote). Public Comments & Testimony - Janet Grant (resident of Decatur, area poll manager, chair of DeKalb Republican Party): Expressed disappointment that the Georgia General Assembly did not address the QR code prohibition in SB 189. Urged the board to weigh in through the state election board and advocated for hand-marked paper ballots with on-demand printers, hand counts, and post-election audits. Noted potential negative impact on DeKalb County. - Michael Beach (poll manager in DeKalb County): Urged the board to use its voice to push for legislative action on the QR code issue. Expressed concerns about emergency ballot procedures and security. - Betsy Jacqueline: Criticized Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones for blocking SB 214, which would have addressed the QR code deadline. Noted the lack of solution benefits the MAGA community's desire for chaos. Praised the elections department for excellent poll worker training this year. - Bethane Fruman: Urged the board to set dates for the upcoming runoff election early voting as soon as possible to allow communication with voters. Discussion Items Certification of District 94 Special Election Runoff - Director Keisha Smith presented the post-election report for the April 7, 2026, runoff. Turnout was 5.82% (1,050 ballots cast out of 18,047 active registered voters). Breakdown: 773 election day, 269 early voting, 8 absentee by mail. One out-of-precinct provisional ballot was rejected. The board unanimously certified the election summary report. A brief recess was taken to sign certification documents. Approval of Profile PR Agreement - Director Smith presented an agreement for professional public relations and communications services with Profile Marketing. Total cost not to exceed $64,000 (at $8,000/month from May 1 to December 31, 2026). The firm was selected through an ITB process and has worked with the county since 2020. The board unanimously authorized the executive director to execute the agreement in a form approved by the county attorney. Director's Report - Registration: 566,829 total registered voters (491,988 active, 74,841 inactive) as of April 9, 2026. 9,725 applications pending processing. - Budget: FY2026 budget loaded. Additional $1 million appropriation for outreach noted. Potential $5–7 million contingency needed if election procedures change due to QR code issue. - Training: 1,579 poll workers trained; LMS system launched; 135 deputy registrars trained. - Logic and accuracy testing underway for May primary. - Discussion on emergency ballot implications: 666 ballot styles would be needed for early voting if moving to paper ballots without on-demand printing, creating logistical challenges. Board members expressed concerns about high costs and staffing. - Pre-certification meeting dates set: May 22, 2026 (8:30 AM) for May 19 primary; June 18, 2026 (4:30 PM) for possible June 16 runoff. Legislative Update - Attorney Jay noted the legislative session ended April 2 without addressing the July 1, 2026 prohibition on QR code tabulation. HB 369 passed, making certain county official elections nonpartisan in counties with medical examiners (including DeKalb). No other major election-related bills passed. Key Outcomes - Certification: District 94 special election runoff results certified unanimously. - PR Agreement: Authorized executive director to execute agreement with Profile Marketing, not to exceed $64,000 (unanimous). - Pre-certification meeting dates: May 22, 2026 at 8:30 AM and June 18, 2026 at 4:30 PM (subject to DCTV availability). - Poll worker appreciation event: Announced for Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the elections office. - Board member request: Ms. Lee requested a resolution for hand-marked paper ballots to be submitted for the next board meeting. - No executive session required. Board members emphasized the importance of election integrity, thanked staff, and expressed concern about the legislature's inaction on the QR code issue. The meeting adjourned on a unanimous motion.

The DeKalb County SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Oversight Committee held its April 2026 meeting on April 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The meeting focused on the SPLOST II road resurfacing program, including the road rating process, contractor selection, project oversight, and budget updates. Committee members heard presentations from county staff, engaged in a question-and-answer session, and received public comments. The committee also approved the meeting agenda and corrected minutes from the February meeting. Consent Calendar - Adoption of April Meeting Agenda: The committee unanimously adopted the April meeting agenda without amendments. - Approval of February Meeting Minutes: The minutes were approved with corrections to include: the motion maker (Theresa Hardy) and second (Rebecca Perkins) for adopting the bi-monthly meeting schedule, and the removal of a substitute motion for a tentative 2026 calendar that was withdrawn and not voted on. - Note Taker Discussion: The committee requested that the county provide a note taker for future meetings. County COO Zach Williams stated that Stephen Mahoney would transcribe the current meeting and provide minutes. Public Comments & Testimony Three members of the public spoke, each focusing on road conditions and SPLOST-funded projects: - Robert Farsen (President, Hidden Hill Civic Association; MARTA board member) expressed appreciation for the committee’s communication, but raised two concerns: (1) sanitation trucks leaking debris on newly resurfaced roads and (2) the practice of cutting and patching around manholes after resurfacing, which creates uneven surfaces. He requested explanations from county staff. - Larry Kaiser (Executive Director, Mitchell South Community Improvement District) described the deteriorating condition of Old McDonough Road (from Transport City Drive to Lancaster Road), a previously paved road that has become gravel due to heavy truck traffic (300 trucks/day). He noted that the CID has had to spend its own funds on temporary stone repairs and urged the county to rehabilitate and repave this section. - Martha Jackson (First Vice President, DeKalb County NAACP; member of Greenforest Community Baptist Church) asked for a specific timeline for striping on Wesley Chapel Road, a major arterial in her community. The county acknowledged the need and noted a striping contract is pending. Discussion Items The core of the meeting was a detailed presentation by county staff on the SPLOST road resurfacing program: - Road Rating Methodology: Peggy Allen (Director of Roads and Drainage) explained the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) system, which rates road segments from 0 (excellent) to 62 (failed). The county maintains over 7,000 road segments (approximately 1,400 miles) and rates each segment at least once a year. The system uses 12 distress types (e.g., alligator cracking, potholes, rutting). - SPLOST I & II Progress: SPLOST I funded 300 miles of resurfacing over about six years (average 50 miles/year). SPLOST II aims to resurface an additional 200 miles over six years (average 33 miles/year). The average PCI has improved from 18.75 in 2017 (pre-SPLOST) to 16.17 at the end of the 2025 paving season, indicating network-wide improvement. - Budget and Costs: The SPLOST II budget for road resurfacing is approximately $250 million out of a total $496 million referendum. The cost per mile has doubled from $450,000 (2018) to $900,000 currently, driven by oil prices and inflation. The county combines SPLOST funds with an annual Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) from GDOT averaging $4–5 million. - Contractor Selection and Oversight: Chris Kingsbury (SPLOST Program Manager) described the competitive bidding process, on-site inspection, and quality control measures. Contractors are held to specifications on mix temperature, depth, and joint quality. The county uses change orders for cost escalations tied to a state asphalt pavement index. Contracts are fully bonded with performance and payment bonds. - Additional Topics: The committee discussed issues such as granite curb repair (handled through the county’s annual maintenance budget), striping (a pending contract for major arterials; county purchasing its own paint truck for smaller roads), how to respond to citizen inquiries about specific roads, and the importance of making PCI data publicly accessible via the county website. - Budget Status: As of March 31, 2026, SPLOST II collections were $146 million against a projected $147 million, with expenditures of about $18 million. Approximately $147 million in projects have been board-authorized but not yet expended. Key Outcomes - Agenda adopted and minutes approved (as detailed under Consent Calendar). - Note taker provided: The county will supply transcription for committee meetings going forward. - Public comments to be addressed: County staff will provide written responses to all issues raised by speakers. - Next meeting: Tentatively scheduled for June 2026; a future topic will be determined. - No formal votes taken on resurfacing projects or policy changes; the meeting was primarily informational and for public input.

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections held a pre-certification meeting on April 8, 2026, to review precinct returns from the special election held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. This meeting was required by State Election Board Rule 183-1-12-point-one-two and involved comparing the total number of ballots cast to the total number of unique voter ID numbers across all precincts. No action was taken; the board simply reviewed the data, which showed no discrepancies. Consent Calendar - The agenda was approved by a motion and unanimous vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Liz Troop (spelled as "Liz Truth" and "Liz True" in transcript but corrected by speaker) addressed the board, sharing frustration with the legislature’s lack of planning for voting methods for the upcoming fall election. She noted that commercially printed ballots can be supplemented, and that ink-poll-print BODs (ballot-on-demand printers) print directly from check-in stations, ensuring voters get the correct precinct style. She suggested potential savings from skipping testing, transporting, and setting up ballot marking devices (BMDs), keeping only one accessible unit per polling place. Discussion Items - Precinct Return Review: The director presented a report required by State Election Board Rule 183-1-12-point-one-two. The department compiled a list of all voters who voted in the election, sorted by precinct and voting method (absentee, in-person on election day, and validated provisional ballots), and counted unique voter IDs. The report showed an unofficial and incomplete comparison of ballots tabulated versus unique voter registration numbers credited by precinct and counting group. No discrepancies were found. - Board Comments: Board members had no questions or comments on the review. Chair Swift clarified that no motion or action was needed—the meeting was solely for review purposes. Key Outcomes - No action taken: The board completed the required precinct return review and will proceed to the certification meeting scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026, at noon. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following a motion and second, with all in favor. - Other: The board sang "Happy Birthday" to Director Smith (whose birthday is April 9, 2026).

The DeKalb County Public Works and Infrastructure Committee met on March 26, 2026, at 2:30 PM (scheduled to end by 4:00 PM but concluded at 4:04 PM) to discuss a range of items including sanitation services, fleet management, watershed infrastructure, a septic-to-sewer petition, and a proposed discount program for residents near the county landfill. All votes were unanimous. Administrative & Personnel - Minutes Approval: The committee approved the minutes for the March 17, 2026 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting (Agenda Item 2026-0583). - New Sanitation Director: COO Williams introduced Eugene McKinney as the new Director of Sanitation. McKinney brings 35 years of municipal experience in solid waste and environmental services, most recently from the City of Atlanta. He received a welcome from Chair and Commissioner Terry. Consent Calendar (Items Approved Unanimously) - Agenda Item 2026-0413 – Mowing and Maintenance of County Abatement Properties: Awarded to Flex Landscaping Management LLC for an amount not to exceed $100,000, covering mowing and maintenance services at various county abatement properties (abandoned lots, cemeteries, traffic islands). - Agenda Item 2026-0473 – Sewer Vacuum/Hydro Excavation Truck: Authorized purchase of a VATCON International Truck with a jetting machine from Carolina Environmental Systems for $412,880.15, to replace an existing unit used by Watershed Management. - Agenda Item 2026-0568 – Sewer Upgrade Financing Agreement: Approved a $213,000 county contribution to front sewer upgrades for a development of 210 housing units and retail space along Covington Highway, with reimbursement by the developer (identified as Westbury Family ILP). - Agenda Item 2026-0436 – Intergovernmental Agreement with Avondale Estates: Approved an agreement for paving of SR 10/US 278, with the county paying its fair share for pavement restoration after completing water upgrades; the city will handle all paving and release the county from future pavement issues. Discussion Items - Agenda Item 2026-0601 – Septic to Sewer Petition (Pine Lake / Forest Road): Director Wells presented a proposal to convert three properties from septic to public sewer, requiring approximately 240 linear feet of new gravity sewer and laterals at a total project cost of about $650,000. Residents are capped at $7,500 each under a special tax district. The petition satisfied the 51% signature requirement (100% obtained). A public hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2026. Commissioner Terry noted the inconsistency with the 65% supermajority required for traffic calming petitions, but acknowledged the necessity of sewer service. This item was informational only; no vote was taken. - Agenda Item 2025-1787 – Landfill Discount Program (Deferred): Commissioner Terry presented a proposed resolution to establish an air monitoring program and a discount/rebate program for residential sanitation services for households within a two-mile radius of the county landfill. The discount would step down based on distance from the landfill, with an estimated fiscal impact of $200,000–$300,000 annually affecting approximately 4,400 households. Commissioner Terry emphasized that residents near the landfill suffer odor and quality-of-life impacts, and the discount is intended as a mitigation measure. COO Williams noted the county has no prior analysis or similar precedent for proximity-based discounts. The item was deferred to the next committee meeting on April 21, 2026, to allow for further fiscal analysis and research on other jurisdictions’ approaches. Key Outcomes - Four agenda items (2026-0413, 2026-0473, 2026-0568, 2026-0436) were approved by unanimous voice vote. - The septic-to-sewer petition (2026-0601) is scheduled for public hearing on April 14. - The landfill discount resolution (2025-1787) was deferred to April 21 for additional fiscal analysis and comparative research. - Staff will provide a district-by-district GIS map of abatement properties and right-of-way maintenance areas. - Staff will investigate the history and legal status of the three cemeteries currently maintained and explore possibilities for state historic cemetery funding. - The meeting adjourned at 4:04 PM, with zoning hearings scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM.

The Employee Relations and Public Safety (ERPS) Committee of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners met on March 26, 2026. Chaired by Super District 7 Commissioner and Deputy Presiding Officer Ladina Bolton, the committee unanimously approved meeting minutes, discussed a fire rescue training agreement, and accepted donations for youth comfort kits and smoke alarms. Consent Calendar - Item 2026 0582: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the March 17, 2026 ERPS meeting. Discussion Items - Item 2026 0563: Fire Rescue Training Agreement (Districts 3 and 7) The committee unanimously approved an agreement with BSI Decatur LLC to allow the fire department to use a one-story commercial storefront at 3211 Glenwood Road and 1816 Candler Road for training at no cost to the county. Chief Carter stated the building, slated for demolition, would be used for real-life scenarios like forcible entry and ventilation. A committee member inquired about the prior use of the property and public notification procedures. Deputy County Attorney Welch confirmed the contract covers county exposure and limits liability. The item was amended from Districts 3 and 6 to Districts 3 and 7 following Commissioner Bolton's identification that the property is on the east side of the street. - Item 2026 0572: First Responder Kits for Kids Program (All Districts) The committee approved accepting 100 comfort kits valued at $2,000 from a North Carolina-based nonprofit. The kits are designed to comfort children in traumatic situations and include stress balls, stuffed animals, and noise-blocking aids. They will be distributed between fire and EMS units. - Item 2026 0580: Smoke Alarm Donation (All Districts) The committee approved the acceptance of 1,000 smoke alarms, valued at $34,970, from a donor. The alarms feature 10-year lithium batteries and support the county's community risk reduction program. The fire department reported installing 773 alarms last year and over 500 so far this year. - Item 2026 0596: Animal Restraint and Transportation Ordinance (All Districts) The committee deferred this item for two weeks at the request of District 2, as it was not ready for discussion. Key Outcomes - Approved: Minutes of March 17, 2026. - Approved: Fire rescue training agreement (friendly amendment to correct district). - Approved: Acceptance of 100 First Responder Kits for Kids. - Approved: Acceptance of 1,000 smoke alarms. - Deferred: Ordinance regulating animal restraint and transportation. - Postponed: Committee goals discussion.

The County Operations Committee, chaired by Marita Davis Johnson, met on March 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The committee approved several procurement and contract items, including cloud services, network security, airport signage, and fleet vehicles. A discussion on electric and hybrid vehicle adoption occurred, and the committee deferred a charter review item on eligibility and precinct listings to a future meeting. Consent Calendar - No consent calendar items were noted; all items were discussed individually. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Discussion Items - Microsoft Azure License Overage (Item 2604 0496): Approved $47,500.71 to cover unpaid overage from June to December 2025 for Microsoft Azure licenses. Staff explained that prepayment was missed due to new personnel, and they will change video retention policies to reduce future storage costs. - Palo Alto Network Security Renewal (Item 2604 0410): Approved $699,316 for annual maintenance and support of Palo Alto firewalls, a key cybersecurity component. - Juniper Network Maintenance (Item 2604 0411): Approved $567,129.93 for annual maintenance of Juniper switches. - PDK Airport Digital Displays (Item 2605 0526): Approved $215,467 for replacement and additional digital signs at PDK Airport, including ratification of a prior purchase order due to lead times for the World Cup. - Police Pursuit Vehicles (Item 2604 0402): A substitute reduced the amount from $16,223,265 to $10,468,355.50 due to fewer approved fleet additions. Confusion arose about the number of additional law enforcement units (16 vs. 116). Commissioner Ted Terry advocated for cost-benefit analysis of electric and hybrid vehicles. The item was moved forward with no recommendation to the full board. - Administrative Vehicles (Item 2604 0405): Approved substitute of $5,625,762.53 for administrative vehicles. Commissioner Terry again pushed for hybrid/electric options, citing the board's clean energy resolution. Staff noted challenges with battery life and charging infrastructure but agreed to provide a cost-benefit analysis. - Wheel Loaders for Watershed (Item 2604 0339): Approved $489,396.80 for two replacement wheel loaders. - Excavator and Track Loaders (Item 2604 0340): Approved $268,143 for a compact excavator and two track loaders. - John Deere Track Loader for Sanitation (Item 2604 0401): Approved $192,515 for one replacement compact track loader. - GPS Devices Change Order (Item 2604 0481): Approved a change order for vehicle-mounted GPS devices, amount not read but approved. - Charter Review Discussion: Sections 2 and 9 were discussed. For Section 2, the committee considered lowering commissioner eligibility age from 25 to 21 and whether to keep a list of voting precincts in the charter. Deferred to next meeting to hear from the elections director. For Section 9, the committee discussed proposed subpoena power and community engagement programs (including NPU-style systems). The CEO opposes both. Commissioner Terry requested more information on NPUs. The committee will revisit with additional details. Key Outcomes - Approved minutes from March 17, 2025, meeting. - Approved Items 2604 0496, 2604 0410, 2604 0411, 2605 0526, 2604 0402 (with no recommendation), 2604 0405, 2604 0339, 2604 0340, 2604 0401, and 2604 0481. - Moved Item 2604 0402 (police pursuit vehicles) to the full board with no recommendation due to inconsistencies in backup documentation. - Deferred charter review discussion on Section 2 (eligibility and precinct listing) to the next operations meeting, pending input from the elections director. - Requested staff to provide more information on NPU systems and a cost-benefit analysis for electric/hybrid vehicles. - Adjourned at approximately 4:00 PM.

The Committee of the Whole, presided over by Commissioner Shaira Johnson (District 4), convened on Thursday, March 26, 2026, to receive committee reports, review the proposed executive agenda for April 14, 2026, and discuss appointments and operational updates. The meeting concluded with an executive session on litigation, after which the Board authorized a $1.05 million settlement payment. Committee Reports - FAB Committee (Commissioner Terry): Met Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with Commissioners Longspears, Johnson, and Patrick. Received initial quarterly financial statements from Director McNabb (full report expected next meeting). Discussed the operational assessment and approved a placeholder for the Tax Anticipation Note (TAN). The TAN amount is $150 million—larger than previous years due to increased spending before property tax revenues arrive. Items on the water customer bill of rights and the AI Tech Dividend Fund resolutions were deferred to the next committee meeting. - ERPS Committee (Commissioner Bolton): Met March 17, 2026, with Commissioners Davis Johnson, Messiah (virtual), Terry, and Patrick. Approved minutes from February 17 and March 3 meetings. Approved the 2026-27 health care benefits with no premium change but added pet insurance. Approved $65,000 for 65 tri-certified Viking Chilled gear for firefighters. Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Stonecrest for a fire station land exchange (Districts 5 and 7). Approved a blasting safety ordinance, but it was deferred for additional legal review at the March 24 meeting. Received an operational assessment update from the Momentum firm. - OPS Committee (Commissioner Davis Johnson): Met March 17, 2026, with Commissioners Massai, Terry, and Longspears. Approved minutes from March 3 meeting. 17 items on the agenda; 8 previously heard. Recommended approval for airport items (0286 and 0388). The committee will discuss child review and rules at its 1 p.m. meeting that day. - PECS Committee (Commissioner Patrick): Heard approximately 13 items; almost all were approved, including items on housing and a resolution from Commissioner Terry. Some items from 2024 remain under review. Next meeting is in three weeks. - PWI Committee (Commissioner Patrick): Heard 8 items. Key item: $47 million allocated for water and sewer improvements related to the consent decree. Next PWI meeting is scheduled for that day at 3:30 p.m. (Commissioner Patrick requested an early start to prepare for the evening zoning meeting). Review of Proposed Executive Agenda (April 14, 2026) - COO Williams reported that the CEO will issue a new executive order allowing each board member to make voting appointments to the DeKalb Sports Commission. Appointments may require a retroactive agenda item. - Watershed Management: Public hearing item on the septic-to-sewer petition for Pine Lake (Georgia Forest Road). Commissioner Crown requested a discussion on the septic-to-sewer plan under PWI. - Appointments: CEO appointee Clara Burks Jones to the Women's Commission (recorded). Commissioner Johnson appointed to the Development Authority and Private Hospital Authority. - Airport: Three standardized lease agreements (Taylor, Weaver, Kim) at no cost to the county, to be placed on consent. - Fire Rescue: Three items (0563, 0572, 0580) sent to ERPS. - Public Works: Item 0587 removed from the agenda as premature. - Purchasing/Contracting: Three items to OPS, two items to PWI. - Parks & Rec: $50,000 grant award from Park Pride Atlanta for Frazer Row sent to PECS. - Watershed Management: IGA for paving SR 10/US 278 between DeKalb and Avondale Estates sent to PWI. Item 0568 (agreement with a company for sewer upgrades, $682,000 contribution) sent to PWI; Commissioner Terry asked that the company name be added to the title. Preliminary Agenda Review - Appointments to the DeKalb County Women’s Commission (from multiple cities): Discussion centered on proper documentation and district representation. Commissioner Davis Johnson noted that one city’s appointment had been made without consulting the district commissioner. Commissioner Massai requested clarity on whether an appointee can serve on two commissions. Legal counsel will provide a conflict opinion. It was agreed to move all city appointments to a new “Municipal Appointments” section under Board of Commissioners to avoid confusion, and to require documentation from each city before placing items on the agenda. - Commissioner Patrick asked legal to consider uniform language for boards created by the county, noting that many boards are created by state law with varying rules. Legal agreed to provide a memo and suggested the county’s legislative agenda might address inconsistencies. - Consent Agenda Items: Approved for inclusion: District 1 contracts ($50,000 renewals with Tabin Inc. and Design B Haley Curtis; $6,500 to ICAR Atlanta); District 2 items ($15,000 to ECO Addendum for training, $216,149.50 for Rutledge Park improvements from the 2001 bond account); District 3 items ($2,500 to the National Council of Negro Women, up to $100,000 for the Live, Livity Arts, Music and Engagement Series); District 6 item ($39,300 to Roots Down for CABS regenerative land projects). Executive Session and Settlement Approval - The Board voted to adjourn the Committee of the Whole, convene a Special Call Meeting, and enter executive session for litigation update. - Action taken after executive session: The Board unanimously approved a payment of $1,050,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by plaintiffs Mika Strozier, Batisha Dixon, Crystal Willibert, Peaches Deser, Ebony Boswell, and Jewel Renfro against Sheriff Melody Maddox (Civil Action 1:22-CB-3342, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia). The settlement includes a dismissal with prejudice and a full release. Commissioner Remarks & Upcoming Events - Commissioner Patrick (Dist. 1): Highlighted town halls on code enforcement and public works, small area plan meetings, and ongoing community engagement. Announced a third town hall on April 18 focused on first responders. - Commissioner Davis Johnson (Dist. 5): Announced the John Lewis interactive sculpture project (completion within 18 months), the new Lucia Sanders Rec Center, a women’s event honoring 11 phenomenal women, and attendance at Andrew Young’s 94th birthday, the CEO’s women’s event, and an HBCU fundraiser (raising over $700,000). - Commissioner Bolton (Dist. 7): Welcomed new staff and a YCLI international fellow, Biba Neves, working on the Redan-Hairston corridor strategy. Co-sponsored the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra event. Announced the District 7 Youth Aviation Program website launch and community beautification grants. Promoted “Dancing with DeKalb Stars” on April 18 (benefiting the Women’s Resource Center for domestic violence). - Commissioner Massai (Dist. 3): Hosted an HOA/COA/POA boot camp (second installment planned). Participated in the Comprehensive Housing Plan community conversation in South DeKalb. Attended the Arts Council kickoff and community meetings in Creek Wood and Clifton Springs. Condolences to family of a 7-year-old who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. - Commissioner Terry (Dist. 6): Hosted “Prison Town” performance and “Waste to Gold” composting workshop. Attended DeKalb Day at the Capitol (500 students present). Participated in the NACA “Achieve the Dream” event (over 1,000 attendees, 100+ pre-qualified). Composting series continues; volunteer cleanup of historic Anderson Cemetery on April 18. Noted the passing of Elizabeth Moore, a volunteer with the Aging and Placers initiative. - Presiding Officer Johnson (Dist. 4): Announced the Joint BOC-BOE meeting tentatively set for May 4. Planning the Memorial Drive Community Improvement District, entryway markers, and GDOT safety strategies. Attended comprehensive housing plan meeting, the CEO’s women’s event, and the Arts Commission launch. Promoted her podcast and community connection breakfast on April 18 with Human Services Director Damon Scott. Key Outcomes - Settlement approved: Unanimous board vote to authorize $1.05 million payment to settle a lawsuit against Sheriff Melody Maddox. - Appointments clarified: City appointments to boards will be listed under a new “Municipal Appointments” section; documentation must be provided before agenda placement. Legal counsel will issue a memo on board service conflicts and uniform language for county-created boards. - Tax Anticipation Note: A $150 million TAN will be brought for board approval, larger than in prior years due to increased spending before property tax receipts. - Upcoming meetings: PWI at 3:30 p.m. that day; voting meeting scheduled for April 14, 2026.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting: Housing Initiatives and Zoning Decisions - March 26, 2026\n\nThe DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on March 26, 2026, beginning with an announcement of housing and food insecurity programs, followed by a lengthy zoning hearing. CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Community Development Director Alan Mitchell outlined a $7.8 million HOME-ARP program and $13 million in emergency rental and utility assistance. The zoning agenda included 10+ items covering rezoning, special land use permits, and a street name change, with decisions ranging from approval to denial and deferral.\n\n Public Comments & Testimony\n- Food and housing programs: Press questions focused on the Fresh on Deck program (replaced by mobile food markets with $10 credits per customer) and school food distribution through safe centers. \n- Zoning opposition: Multiple residents and community groups spoke against the proposed convenience store/gas station (Items 0140–0142) citing traffic, environmental concerns, and inconsistency with the Memorial Drive Revitalization Plan. Residents also opposed the concrete recycling plant (Item 0146) on health and environmental justice grounds, noting existing industrial pollution in Lithonia. \n- Support: Residents supported the street renaming to Arthur J. Queen Drive (Item 0152) and the church special land use permit (Item 0148), highlighting community contributions and minimal impacts. \n\n Discussion Items\n- Cottage Home Development (2026-0138): Rezoning from R75 to R60 for a 29-unit cottage development at 1437 and 1453 South Indian Creek Drive. Staff recommended approval with 14 conditions; the applicant agreed to add an 8-foot privacy fence (Condition 15). Approved unanimously. \n- Townhome Community (2026-0139): Rezoning from OI to MR2 at 3003 Shambley Tucker Road and 2936 Mercer University Drive. Applicant requested a two-cycle deferral to continue site plan work with staff and community. Deferred. \n- Convenience Store/Gas Station (2026-0140, 0141, 0142): Combined items to rezone from NS to C1 and obtain special land use permits for fuel pumps and a drive-through at a former CVS site on North Decatur Road. Staff recommended denial due to auto-oriented design conflicting with the Town Center character area and the Memorial Drive Revitalization Plan. Neighbors overwhelmingly opposed. All three items were denied. \n- Multifamily Development (2026-0143): Rezoning from R75 to MR2 for up to 39 units at 2674–2690 Gresham Road. Staff requested a two-cycle deferral to improve site plan connectivity and incorporate cottage court design. Deferred. \n- Senior Housing (2026-0144, 0145): Rezoning and special land use permit for senior housing at 2111 Poplar Falls Road. Applicant withdrew without prejudice due to infrastructure and service concerns. Withdrawn. \n- Concrete Recycling Plant (2026-0146): Special land use permit for concrete recycling on Lithonia Industrial Boulevard. Staff recommended a full-cycle deferral; applicant sought a two-cycle deferral. Commissioner Johnson requested additional community outreach and review of environmental impacts. Deferred for one cycle. \n- Triplex (2026-0147): Rezoning from R100 to RSM for a triplex at 6136 Shadow Rock Lane. Applicant withdrew without prejudice. \n- Street Name Change (2026-0152): Request to rename East Side Drive to Arthur J. Queen Drive in honor of a community leader and contractor. Staff and planning commission recommended approval. Approved. \n- Place of Worship (2026-0148): Special land use permit for a church at 4031 Rainbow Drive. Staff recommended approval; applicant noted small congregation and minimal traffic. Approved. \n- Child Care Institution (2026-0149): Renewal of special land use permit for a child care institution at 1890 Weakirk Road. Applicant did not appear; staff recommended withdrawal without prejudice as the proposal was “undercooked.” Withdrawn. \n- Single-Family Residential (2026-0150, 0151): Amendment of character area and rezoning for 31 lots at 1680–1700 Henrico Road. Staff recommended two-cycle deferral to explore including adjacent industrial parcels and to resolve overlay compliance. Metro South CID opposed loss of industrial land. Deferred. \n\n Key Outcomes\n- Approved with conditions: Item 2026-0138 (cottage development) – unanimous. \n- Approved: Item 2026-0152 (street renaming) – unanimous; Item 2026-0148 (church) – unanimous. \n- Denied: Items 2026-0140, 0141, 0142 (convenience store/gas station) – unanimous. \n- Deferred: Items 2026-0139 (two-cycle), 2026-0143 (two-cycle), 2026-0146 (one-cycle), 2026-0150 (two-cycle), 2026-0151 (two-cycle). \n- Withdrawn without prejudice: Items 2026-0144, 0145, 0147, 0149. \n- Next steps: Deferred items will return to community council and planning commission for further review. Staff will include school impact data in future planning reports. Community input will be sought for the concrete recycling and Henrico Road items.

The Planning, Economic Development and Community Services (PECS) Committee met on March 24, 2026, chaired by Commissioner Nicole Messiah (District 3), with Commissioners Lauri Longspears (District 2), Robert Patrick (District 1), Shikaira Johnson (District 4), and George Terry (District 6). The committee approved multiple consent items, conditionally authorized $13.5 million in SPLOST 2 funds for health facility repairs, approved an unhoused support plan resolution, received updates on operational assessments and the Community Academy, and deferred several commissioner-led ordinances for further review. Consent Calendar / Approvals - Meeting Minutes (2026‑0546): Approved the February 26, 2026 PECS committee minutes. - De‑Annexation (2026‑0491): Approved consent to de‑annex 5499 Woodsong Trace, Stone Mountain, with a clarification to be added via substitute at the regular meeting. - Appointment to RPCA Board (2026‑0402): After an interview, the committee appointed Mr. Sheldon Fleming to Post 8 of the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Citizens Advisory Board. He cited his background in horticulture, park management, and community engagement. Motion approved. - Short‑Term Rental Compliance Platform (2026‑0384): Approved a cooperative agreement (Omnia Partners) with Deckard Technologies for a cloud‑based short‑term rental monitoring and compliance platform, not to exceed $120,720.43, to enforce the county’s 8% excise tax and manage complaints. The system will identify over 1,100 listings in unincorporated DeKalb. Motion approved. - Playground & Shelter Upgrades (2026‑0433): Approved a cooperative agreement with PlayPower LT Farmington for replacing the burned shelter at Lithonia Park and adding playground elements at Cedar Park, amount $134,170.97. Motion approved. - Park Pride Grant (2025‑1759): Approved acceptance of a $150,000 grant (three‑year term, no county match) from Park Pride Atlanta for wayfinding signage at Wade Walker Park. Motion approved. - School Bus Contract (2026‑0409): Approved a three‑year contract (not to exceed $150,000) with DeKalb County School District for bus transportation for summer camp programs. Commissioner Patrick requested a future conversation about expanding summer camp to Pleasantdale Park. Motion approved. Discussion Items - SPLOST 2 Funding for Health Facilities (2026‑0458): Staff presented a substitute increasing the request from $9,387,525 to approximately $13.5 million to address roof, HVAC, elevator, parking, interior, and security needs at eight health facilities (Richardson Health Center, DeKalb Crisis Center, etc.). Representatives from Claritel and the Department of Health testified to urgent conditions (no air conditioning, water intrusion, rusted support beams, nonfunctional kitchen equipment). Commissioner Longspears questioned the impact on the original $15 million SPLOST 2 allocation. Commissioner Patrick requested an audit review by Mr. Campbell. The committee conditionally approved the $13.5 million, contingent on a favorable audit report before the April 14 BOC meeting; if not supported, the original $9.387 million would proceed. Motion carried. - Operational Assessment Update (M&J): The consultant reported that countywide, 266 recommendations have been identified: 59 met, 11 blocked, 123 needing support. For PECS departments (Code Enforcement and Planning & Sustainability), 41 recommendations: 9 met, 0 blocked, 9 needing support. Key issue areas: governance, structure, training, and staffing. Planning & Sustainability accounts for 8 of 10 staffing needs. Up to 10 recommendations are expected to generate cost savings (amounts not yet quantified). Commissioner Terry flagged possible mis‑assignments of recommendations (COD R23, R24). Chair Messiah requested rationale for rejected recommendations and a consolidated public‑facing summary for residents. - Unhoused Support and Services Plan (2026‑0385): Commissioner Longspears presented a substitute resolution incorporating feedback from Dr. Ferguson and Director Mitchell. The substitute convenes a stakeholder working group to integrate the stakeholder plan (eight core recommendations) into the county’s comprehensive housing plan, ensuring fiscal and legal practicability. Commissioner Terry added as co‑sponsor. Motion approved. - Community Academy 101 Update: Staff reported completion of McNair, Redan, and Columbia community districts (based on high school boundaries); currently working in Towers; 14 more to go. Three 2026 ambassadors have been selected. New programming includes pedestrian infrastructure analysis, playground programming, and complete street tests. Commissioner Patrick requested engagement with municipalities; Commissioner Terry asked for data linking housing development to school capacity. Staff will provide ambassador handbooks for dissemination. - Noise Ordinance Amendment (2026‑0015): Sponsored by Commissioner Terry, proposing daytime noise limits of 65 decibels and nighttime standard of plainly audible at 100 feet. Current ordinance uses decibels but the county lacks decibel meters. Chief Pedrick and Director Clark supported moving to a “plainly audible” standard for enforceability, citing success in Athens‑Clarke County. Commissioners Patrick and Messiah requested data on noise complaints and a clear enforcement plan. Deferred 30 days for further discussion with staff. - Electric Landscape Maintenance Device Rebate Program (2026‑0017): Companion item to the noise ordinance, proposing an annual $100,000 rebate program to encourage switching from gas‑powered landscape equipment. Deferred 30 days alongside the noise ordinance. Key Outcomes - Approved: Minutes, de‑annexation, Fleming appointment, short‑term rental contract, playground/shelter contract, Park Pride grant, school bus contract, and unhoused support plan resolution. - Conditionally Approved: Health facilities SPLOST 2 funding ($13.5 million) pending audit confirmation before April 14, 2026. - Deferred (30 days): Nuisance ordinances (2024‑1237, 2024‑1239) from Commissioner Patrick, noise ordinance (2025‑0015), and electric landscape rebate program (2025‑0017) for additional stakeholder input and data gathering.