Public Meetings - Dekalb County, Georgia

The Planning, Economic Development and Community Services (PECS) Committee of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners met on May 26, 2026, to consider appointments to county authorities, receive updates on Tax Allocation District (TAD) finances, and discuss a proposed public safety ordinance addressing unauthorized camping and nuisance behaviors. The meeting was chaired by District 3 Commissioner Nicole Messiah, with Commissioners Robert Patrick (District 1), Laurence Longstreets (District 2), and Ted Terry (District 6) also present. Consent Calendar - Agenda item 2026-093: Minutes of the previous meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote. - Agenda item 2026-0457 (Change Order 5 for Meal Services for Seniors): Extended the contract expiration for congregate and shelf-stable meals for seniors from the Department of Human Services through October 31, 2026, allowing time for a new RFP to be completed. The contract provides approximately 120,000 meals annually. Approved unanimously. - Agenda item 2026-0487 (Landscape Maintenance Services for County Parks): Recommended awarding a three-year multi-year contract to The Simmons Group LLC, Grand Landscapes LLC, and Universal Landscaping LLC for a total amount not to exceed $573,576. The motion carried with Chair Messiah voting no, pending receipt of additional background information on The Simmons Group LLC. Appointments Agenda item 2026-0756: Jeremy Cole, PhD – Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (Post 9) – Dr. Cole, Executive Director of Mosaic Health Center in Clarkston, testified that his top priorities would be strengthening the relationship between the Hospital Authority and Grady, improving the healthcare ecosystem, and expanding access to care. He described an "access crisis" in DeKalb County and stated that "contracting access to healthcare just makes no sense." He identified the largest cuts to Medicaid in U.S. history and lapsing Affordable Care Act subsidies as key challenges. Dr. Cole supported exploring a new hospital in South DeKalb, citing health care deserts. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. Agenda item 2026-0757: Jerome Edmondson – DeKalb County Housing Authority (Post 3) – Mr. Edmondson, a veteran and entrepreneur with over 30 years in real estate and home buyer counseling, emphasized homeownership education and public-private partnerships. He described a cultural pattern where many families rent by default rather than own, and proposed leveraging relationships with financial institutions to create neighborhood lending programs. He stated that affordable housing means "something that you can appreciate, something that you can enjoy." The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. Discussion Items Tax Allocation District (TAD) Financial Update – Q1 2026 – Tiffany Wills, Vice President of Redevelopment and Strategic Initiatives at Decide DeKalb, presented the quarterly update. Key data included: - Current TAD fund balance across all five TADs: $34.4 million - Year-to-date net income: $310,000 (including $72,000 in interest and $50,000 in expenses) - Total TAD awards to date: $77.2 million - Outstanding pending TAD awards: $75.8 million - Pending applications under negotiation: $18.8 million total across all five TADs Wills reported one new award in the Briarcliff/North Druid Hills TAD (South Peachtree Creek Trails Segments 3 & 5) for $915,000 to cover soft costs. The committee discussed TAD term expiration dates (Avondale and Kensington expire in 2029; Briarcliff, Market Square, and Southwest DeKalb have longer terms) and the feasibility of closing the Kensington/Memorial Drive TAD and creating a new one. Commissioner Terry asked about engagement with DeKalb County School District on a potential convocation center as a catalyst project. Wills confirmed ongoing conversations. Commissioner Patrick raised interest in exploring a TAD for the unincorporated 85/285 area. Chair Messiah noted that a new TAD could potentially start January 1, 2027 if acted upon by December 2026. Agenda item 2026-0550: Ordinance on Public Safety – Unauthorized Camping and Nuisance Behaviors – Chair Messiah presented a substitute ordinance (changing "vagrancy" to "drifting" on legal advice) that addresses blocking of sidewalks, parks, and public property by unhoused individuals. Commissioner Longstreets raised concerns that the ordinance was not posted in the Legistar system, preventing public access. He noted receiving about a dozen calls of concern and requested a two-week deferral to allow public review. Chair Messiah countered that the ordinance had been shared with commissioners and that legal review was completed before submission. DeKalb County Attorney provided procedural context, noting that the board had previously approved an item without an attachment and that best practices would include operational and legal review before agenda items are submitted. Commissioner Terry suggested developing a written standard operating procedure (SOP) for enforcement, including outreach, notice periods, and a potential civil citation approach. He referenced a Houston model where one division issues warnings and another offers housing. Commissioner Patrick noted that the board had adopted a resolution about a year earlier stating it would not arrest people for homelessness in rights-of-way, and requested a legal comparison between that resolution and the proposed ordinance. All commissioners expressed interest in collaboration with DeKalb's 13 cities and the DeKalb Municipal Association, and in exploring diversion programs and day shelter alternatives to arrest. The item was deferred two weeks to allow further review and amendments. Agenda items 2025-0015 and 2025-0017 (Noise Ordinance revisions) – The committee deferred both items for two weeks at the request of Commissioner Patrick, who asked the law department to draft a decibel-only version of the noise ordinance for consideration. Chair Messiah noted the multiple versions already drafted and indicated more discussion was needed before a final decision. Key Outcomes - Dr. Jeremy Cole was recommended unanimously for appointment to the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (Post 9). - Jerome Edmondson was recommended unanimously for appointment to the DeKalb County Housing Authority (Post 3). - Meal Services for Seniors contract extension (Item 2026-0457) was approved unanimously. - Landscape Maintenance contract (Item 2026-0487) was approved with Chair Messiah voting no, pending additional information on The Simmons Group LLC. - Public Safety Ordinance (Item 2026-0550) was deferred for two weeks to allow public access via Legistar and to incorporate suggestions from commissioners, including written enforcement protocols, a civil citation option, and a legal comparison with the board's prior resolution against arresting people for homelessness. - Noise Ordinance revisions (Items 2025-0015 and 2025-0017) were deferred for two weeks for the law department to draft a decibel-only version. - The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:05 PM.

The DeKalb County Finance, Audit, and Budget (FAB) Committee met on May 26, 2026 to discuss and vote on a Fiscal Year 2026 budget amendment, a financial advisory contract change order, and other items. Consent Calendar - Item 2026-0890 was approved unanimously with no discussion. Discussion Items - Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment (Item 0860): The committee approved an amendment to the FY2026 annual budget, appropriating capital funding from multiple sources for time-sensitive projects. - Reallocation from COPs Fund: $3 million from the Certificates of Participation fund (proceeds from the Clark Harrison building sale) was reallocated for Phase 2 of the Maloof Annexed Construction. - Reallocation from Memorial Drive Acquisition Fund: $2.6 million was reallocated for facility upgrades including a $1.5 million HVAC retrofit, $200,000 for LED parking lot light upgrades, $250,000 for UPS power systems at 911 antenna sites, $200,000 for Finance office renovations, and various other repairs and replacements. - General Fund Appropriations: $7.32 million from reserves, including $5 million for county jail repairs, $2 million for a new Oracle permitting and licensing system (Opal) for the Planning Department, and $320,000 for the CityWorks work order system expansion. - 911 Fund Projects: $5.1 million for a backup primary radio site ($1.6 million) and an AT&T phone system upgrade ($3.5 million), transferred from fire and police funds. - County Jail Repairs: Chief Atkins from the Sheriff's Office stated the proposed $5 million is a "drop in the bucket" compared to the $11.7 million in immediate needs identified by a facility condition assessment. He noted the allocation would prioritize preventing escapes, while a $4 million sprinkler system repair remains a critical vulnerability. The committee agreed to review the full assessment findings during future budget discussions. - Permitting Software (Opal): Commissioner Johnson strongly supported the $2 million Opal investment and urged transparent, quarterly public updates and vendor training to change public perception of the permitting process. IT representative Mr. Williams expressed high confidence, calling the software a "game changer" informed by lessons from the 2014-15 implementation. The project has an 18-month implementation timeline. - Financial Advisory Services Contract (Item 0693): The committee approved a change order extending PFM Financial Advisors' contract through December 31, 2026, to complete ongoing work including a banking RFP while a new comprehensive FA contract is finalized by procurement for the Board of Commissioners' approval. Commissioners discussed aligning the future FA's scope with proactive board needs. Key Outcomes - Item 0860 (Budget Amendment): Approved unanimously. - Item 0693 (PFM Change Order): Approved unanimously. - Tree Bank Audit and OpenGov Demo: Deferred to the next FAB meeting in two weeks. - Customer Bill of Rights (Item 1525): Held in committee for alignment with administration and finance. - Next Steps: A comprehensive financial advisory RFP award is scheduled for the next Board of Commissioners meeting.

This meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections on May 26, 2026, focused on certifying the May 19, 2026 primary election results, planning early voting for the June 16 runoff, and addressing upcoming legislative issues. The board heard public comments on voter education, election worker performance, and concerns about redistricting and QR code legislation. The board unanimously certified the election, approved early voting locations and amended times for the runoff, and received updates on registration, budget, and stakeholder communications. Consent Calendar - Approved the agenda unanimously. - Approved minutes from the April 8 special call meeting and April 13, 2026 scheduled meeting without edits. Public Comments & Testimony - Janet Grant – Expressed thanks for poll worker support and urged the board to advocate for delaying the QR code ban (Senate Bill 189) and to oppose partisan mid-cycle redistricting during the upcoming special legislative session. She also requested ample early voting access for the June runoff. - Betsy Jacqueline – Congratulated the board on a smooth election but noted broken seals on provisional bags and confusion among voters about the nonpartisan ballot (judicial races only). She raised concerns about legislative efforts that make voting harder and urged the board to resist rushed changes to the voting system. - Michael Beach – Thanked staff for just-in-time training and praised the free, fair, and secure election. He urged board members to attend the special session to push back on redistricting and QR-code deadlines, citing that the recent Supreme Court decision does not require Georgia to redraw maps. - Speaker (unnamed, first public comment) – Thanked poll managers and expressed concern about ICE presence at polls and potential voter intimidation. Asked the board to remain vigilant. - Speaker (Briar Vista resident) – Described a negative experience with a ballot scanner worker who was cold and terse. Requested the board reiterate customer service in poll worker training and strategically place workers who enjoy interacting with voters. - Activist (unnamed) – Noted difficulty obtaining sample ballots (only 10 or 6 at a time) and urged the board to increase sample ballot availability at training sessions and in the community. Also raised concerns about redistricting and the need for voter education. Discussion Items - Election Certification Report – Deputy Directors Henry and Harris presented results for the May 19, 2026 primary. Overall turnout: 35.25% (174,491 ballots cast). Breakdown: Election day 84,434, early voting 87,194 (highest for any general primary in history), absentee by mail 2,721, provisional 142. Early voting spiked on the last two days, with Memorial Drive location setting a record of 2,753 voters on May 15. Absentee ballot cure process explained. Board members expressed no major concerns and thanked staff. The board voted unanimously to certify the election. - Runoff Early Voting Locations and Times – Proposed locations (19, down from 20 due to removal of Living Grace Church in Tucker because of size constraints). Discussion on Saturday June 6 (first day of early voting) hours – originally 9am to 6pm. Board member Vasu Abiramen suggested extending to 7-7 but later agreed to keep 9-6 for the primary runoff, with a commitment to 7-7 for general election runoffs. Board member Dele Lohman proposed extending Sunday June 7 hours from 12-5 to 12-6. Consenus reached. Motion approved unanimously for locations and times as amended (Mon-Fri June 8-12 7am-7pm, Sat June 6 9am-6pm, Sun June 7 12pm-6pm). - Director’s Report – - Registration update: 568,239 registered voters (495,655 active, 72,584 inactive). 12,329 applications pending processing, with about 5,000 processed per week. Only new voters will be eligible for the runoff if processed before early voting begins. - Budget report: Operating budget trending well; questions about temporary personnel services and a $525,000 budget adjustment for poll worker salaries, and a contract for equipment transportation. Clarification provided. - Stakeholder communications: Planned voter guide with candidate statements for November, sample ballot mailer for the July 28 special election (CD13). Board member Carly Swift suggested increasing social media engagement to combat misinformation. - Legislative Update – Governor called a special legislative session for June 17 to address redistricting and the QR code issue (Senate Bill 189). Board member noted they are monitoring. Key Outcomes - Certification of May 19, 2026 election – Approved unanimously. - Runoff early voting plan – Approved 19 locations and times as amended (Sunday June 7 extended to 6pm). - Executive session – Held to discuss litigation (no public details). - Board comments – Members thanked staff and poll workers, noted confusion around nonpartisan primaries, and encouraged continued voter education. - Adjournment – Motion passed.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on May 26, 2026, presided over by District 4 Commissioner Shakira Johnson. The meeting included inspirational remarks, proclamations, public comments, public hearings, and a lengthy agenda of consent and discussion items. Numerous items were deferred to future meetings, and several decisions were made regarding data center regulations, parking fees, millage rates, and a day center for the homeless. Inspirational Speaker & Proclamations - Inspirational Speaker: Overseer Vanessa Hall of the Riemann National Church delivered a message titled "Good Work Gets Heavy," encouraging commissioners to persist in their service. - Historic Preservation Month: Commissioner Michelle Long Spears presented a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Historic Preservation Month in DeKalb County, recognizing the county's historic districts and the work of the Historic Preservation Commission. - Active People Healthy DeKalb Month: Commissioner Shakira Johnson presented a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Active People Healthy DeKalb Month, highlighting the importance of physical activity and partnerships with the DeKalb Public Health LEED initiative. Stephanie Carter of DeKalb Public Health spoke about health disparities and the goal of 5,000 residents walking 10,000 steps every Wednesday. Public Comments & Testimony - Data Center Opposition: Multiple speakers strongly opposed the proposed data center text amendment, citing concerns about water usage, infrastructure strain, property values, and lack of enforceable compliance standards. Speakers included Rosalind McIntyre, Gina Mangum, Jan Dunaway, and others. They called for small-scale data centers, a moratorium, and greater distance from neighborhoods. - Commissioner Messiah Criticism: Speakers Stephen Benny and Warren Mosby criticized District 3 Commissioner Nicole Messiah for allegedly engaging in negotiations with data center developer Ryan Millsap and Blackhall Studios, accusing her of conflict of interest. Others, including Pat Cobb and Beverly Dabney, defended Commissioner Messiah, questioning the timing and motives of the allegations. - Other Concerns: Tatiana Pamatel raised issues with a fraudulent HOA, code enforcement, and safety in Whitehall Forest. Deborah Wallace complained about truck traffic on Rockbridge Road from an Amazon distribution center and problems with the 911 call center. Public Hearings - Adult Entertainment Moratorium Extension: The board extended the moratorium on adult entertainment establishments and device retailers through September 3, 2026, while staff finalize updates to the ordinance. (Approved unanimously) - Streetlight Special Tax Districts: Two streetlight tax districts (Flat Shoals Parkway and Paxton Place/Caleb Court/Axel Ridge/Arcadia Drive) were approved. Commissioner Terry noted that rates are not being adjusted this year but a study is underway. (Approved) - Right-of-Way Exchanges and Easements: Several items were deferred for further discussion, including a condemnation for Constitution Roads (deferred to June 23) and a right-of-way exchange for South River Trail (deferred to June 23). A partial easement abandonment at Repos Drive was deferred for two weeks. - Watershed Management Easement: A partial easement abandonment was deferred for two weeks for additional review. Consent Calendar - Approved consent agenda items including airport lease agreements, minutes of previous meetings, and several district appropriations (e.g., funding for childcare needs assessment, summer academy, senior home repair, youth program, and community event). Discussion Items - Millage Rates (2026): The board voted to tentatively adopt the 2026 millage rates to allow for advertising and public hearings. Hearings will be held June 23 (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and July 7 (10 a.m.). Commissioner Messiah raised concerns about the word "tentative" but was assured it is standard language. (Approved) - Parking Rate Increase: The board approved a rate increase for parking at the DeKalb County Courthouse, Maloof Building, and Camp Circle lots. Commissioner Long Spears requested further discussion with the City of Decatur regarding rate consistency. Commissioner Terry suggested exploring parking validation for meeting attendees. (Approved) - Day Center for Homeless: The board approved an amendment to move the day center from Peace Baptist Church to New Life Community Alliance Inc. at 3592 Flat Shoals Road, with a cost reduction of $23,077. The contract is for one year, with the first seven months at New Life. Commissioner Long Spears and Commissioner Terry discussed shower and laundry services and transportation. (Approved) - Data Center Text Amendment: No formal vote on the amendment itself, but numerous public comments addressed it. The item was not listed for action at this meeting; it will be discussed at a future committee of the whole on June 2. - Blue Book Amendment: The board approved a second reading of changes to the Board of Commissioners' standing procedural rules, limiting commissioner speaking time to five minutes first and three minutes second. (Approved unanimously) - Other Deferrals: Many purchasing and contracting items were deferred to future meetings, often for additional review or committee discussion. Notable deferrals included the Oracle cloud services contract, the SCBA equipment contract, and several public works contracts. Key Outcomes - Adult Entertainment Moratorium Extended through September 3, 2026. - Streetlight Tax Districts for Flat Shoals Parkway and Paxton Place area approved. - Millage Rate Tentatively Adopted for advertising; public hearings scheduled June 23 and July 7. - Parking Rate Increase Approved for county-owned lots. - Day Center Location Changed to New Life Community Alliance; contract approved. - Blue Book Speaking Time Limits enacted permanently. - Numerous Items Deferred to June 9 or later BOC meetings, including data center-related items, parking structure issues, and several procurement contracts. - Inspirational and Proclamation Presentations concluded without controversy.

The Committee convened on May 22, 2026, under Chair Commissioner Robert Patrick to address the water and sewer CIP update, a feasibility study for the Pole Bridge Creek plant, proposed stormwater and sanitation fee increases, and numerous procurement and contract items. The meeting included presentations, discussions, and votes. Consent Calendar - Minutes of May 5, 2026: Approved unanimously. - 2026-0232 – Odor Control Chemicals: Awarded to five vendors for a three-year contract not to exceed $494,049.15. - 2026-0677 – Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Design Expansion: Change order to CDM Smith for $658,789.35 and extended term to December 31, 2031. - 2026-0678 – Snapfinger Vault Assessment and Cleaning: Emergency change order to Compliance and Viral Systems LLC for $3,014,358, term extended through March 31, 2027. - 2026-0627 – Snapfinger Membrane Bioreactor Emergency Purchase: Ratified emergency procurement from Clovis LLC, revised amount $550,000. - 2026-0474 – Operational Assessment of Watershed Management: Purchasing exemption awarded to Malden Jenkins LLC for $116,530; completion expected by August/September 2026. - 2026-0792 – Service Trucks for Watershed: Two 2027 International trucks from Rush Truck Centers for $249,862. - 2026-0679 – Dump Trucks: 20 dump trucks from Rush Truck Centers for $3,328,370; approval pending audit, with vehicles allocated to stormwater, watershed, and parks. - 2026-0762 – Electrical/Mechanical Maintenance: Cooperative agreement via Cobb County contract for up to $1,500,000 awarded to Coal Technology Inc. and Tech Well Services LLC. - 2026-0434 – LMIG Road Resurfacing: Term extension only for ER Snell Contractor Inc. to complete work; approved. Discussion Items Water and Sewer CIP Update Staff from the Watershed Department presented the new project management information system (Cahua) for the $4.27 billion CIP program. The system integrates cost management, construction management, risk registers, community engagement logging, milestone scheduling, and analytics. Key benefits include real-time reporting, centralized document management, automated workflows for invoices and daily reports, and enhanced accountability. Commissioner Terry suggested adding text messaging to outreach efforts. Commissioner Johnson clarified how commissioner inquiries should be routed to the department. Commissioner Patrick inquired about integrating artificial intelligence into the system; staff replied that Cahua is developing an embedded AI assistant and that an AI policy is under review and nearing distribution. Discussion also included the stalled CIP monitor position; staff committed to revitalizing it. The presentation was informational, no vote. Pole Bridge Creek Feasibility Study and Master Planning The CERM Volkert JV team presented results of Phase I due diligence for the 500-acre site surrounding the Pole Bridge Creek Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. The county spends over $250,000 per year mowing the vacant land. The study evaluated reuse options: recreational trails, composting, solar farm, sludge land application, and conservation/reforestation. Key findings: City of Stonecrest zoning (R-100 residential and Arabia Mountain Overlay) may restrict some uses; an NPDS permit for land application expires in three years; nitrate levels in groundwater have remained consistent since land application ceased in 2014. Next steps include stakeholder outreach to Stonecrest, Lions, Decide DeKalb, and others. Commissioner Terry highlighted potential for on-site composting to reduce biosolids hauling costs, citing $600,000 annual savings from not trucking to the landfill. Commissioner Johnson questioned the feasibility of gathering 20 years of nitrate data within the remaining permit window. Commissioner Patrick suggested exploring revenue from fertilizer production. No action taken. Proposed Stormwater Utility Fee Increase (2026-0587) Director Allen presented the proposal; no new details were added. Commissioner Terry requested the ordinance language and confirmation of continued green infrastructure allocation. The committee agreed to hold the item for further public input. A town hall was tentatively scheduled for June 3 or 4, 2026. The item was held in committee. Sanitation Fee Increase Proposal (2026-0930) Arcadis consultant Robert Riley presented a revenue sufficiency study showing a persistent deficit in the sanitation enterprise fund. Over the past five years, the general fund has subsidized sanitation, with deficits reaching $20 million in 2022. The proposed plan includes a 25% residential fee increase (from $315 to $393/year) in 2026, followed by 10% annual increases through a five-year horizon. Commercial and landfill tipping fees would also increase. The current landfill cell has three to four years of capacity left; expansion must begin in 2027. Commissioner Terry proposed several amendments: reducing tire fees to the metro standard, offering a rebate for residents within two miles of the landfill, providing a senior discount, adopting a 10-year planning horizon, including projected methane revenue, and smoothing the initial increase (e.g., 15% rather than 25%). Commissioner Johnson supported a longer horizon to avoid sharp hikes. Staff agreed to return with alternative scenarios. The item was held in committee pending a town hall on June 4, 2026. Key Outcomes - Approved the minutes of May 5, 2026. - Approved multiple procurement and change order items as listed in Consent Calendar. - Held in committee: Stormwater fee increase (2026-0587) and Sanitation fee increase (2026-0930) pending public town hall. - Conditionally approved: Right-of-way mowing (2026-047) and litter removal (2026-0655) subject to GIS map distribution and district review. - Approved pending audit: Dump truck procurement (2026-0679). - Directed staff: To revitalize the CIP monitor position and coordinate town hall meetings on June 3 or 4, 2026, for both stormwater and sanitation fee proposals.

This was a special called pre-certification meeting to review unofficial election results. No action was taken. Certification will occur at a meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Consent Calendar - Approved the meeting agenda by unanimous voice vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Cheryl Dudley expressed gratitude for a well-run election, but criticized the scheduling conflict with the DeKalb County Commission meeting, requesting that future meetings be moved to 4:30 PM. She noted she might not attend the certification meeting due to the conflict. - Beth Ann Frillman stated that the pre-certification review is not valuable and that reviewing incomplete results burdens board and staff. She urged outreach to state legislators and thanked staff for their work during the election. Discussion Items - Deputy Director presented the pre-certification report: unofficial and incomplete comparison of ballots tabulated versus unique voter registration credits. Key numbers: 174,341 ballots cast; 174,343 credits recorded (overall difference of 2, but breakdown: early voting difference of 8, election day difference of 52). The election day discrepancy was largely attributed to confusion at Ashford Dunwoody polling place, where 17 ballots were given to Silver Lake, resulting in 16 additional ballots. Staff are continuing to identify voters with unclear credits and will correct remaining differences at certification. - Board members asked questions: Deputy Director confirmed that a detailed report with reasons will be provided at certification. No equipment issues, chain-of-custody issues, fraud reports, unusual wait times, disruptions, poll monitor issues, unresolved voter complaints, extended hours, or Secretary of State directives to change numbers. The number of provisional ballots was not yet determined; it will be known after the 5:00 PM deadline that day. One board member mentioned "201" possibly as a count, but it was not confirmed as official. Key Outcomes - No actions were taken. The board will certify the election at a meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. - The pre-certification report highlighted discrepancies of 2 overall (174,341 ballots vs 174,343 credits) with larger differences in early voting (+8) and election day (+52) that are being investigated. - All identified issues are expected to be resolved by the certification meeting.

This meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics took place on May 22, 2026 (per official record; the transcript notes the Chair corrected the date from April 16 to May 21 during the meeting). The board addressed routine administrative items, received the Ethics Officer's monthly report, dismissed a preliminary case for lack of jurisdiction, and conducted a final evidentiary hearing regarding two former parks and recreation employees accused of time theft. After hearing testimony, the board found violations, imposed sanctions, and referred the matter for potential prosecution. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: Motion by George Frank, seconded by Tom Clements. Approved unanimously. - Approval of Minutes (April 16, 2026 meeting): Motion by Shakita Wright, seconded by Scott Matthews. Approved unanimously. - Executive Session Affidavit: Approved with a motion and second. Ethics Officer Monthly Report - Training: 471 new employees trained to date. - Ethics Forum: Scheduled for June 5, 2026, featuring speakers Madam Lorraine Cochran Johnson and retired Senator Elena Perrin. The event is at capacity. - Hotline Calls: Three court-related issues (service of process, non-employee matter, criminal/TRO), one sanitation department abuse of company time (referred to COO and director), and one report of a rude officer with insufficient information (no name provided). - Open Records Requests: Zero. - Email Blasts: Invitations sent to VIPs one month prior, save-the-date two months prior, and a full-capacity notice on May 12, 2026. Preliminary Case – Dismissal - Case A: Donna Trake Jenkins v. Javon Murray (Case 2026-5): Ethics Officer Elisa Murphy recommended dismissal due to lack of jurisdiction and expiration of the 4-year statute of limitations. The alleged incident occurred approximately 10 years ago, neither party currently works for DeKalb County, and the respondent indicated the complaint was in retaliation related to an ongoing court case involving the complainant. The board voted to dismiss. Public Comments & Testimony - Stephen Benny (1083 Seville Drive, Clarkston, GA): Praised the board’s work. Suggested posting reprimands in the county’s official newspaper (The Champion). Noted that the amount stolen could be estimated using the hourly rate ($17.68) and hours worked. Questioned whether Ms. Washington was coerced and suggested a lower fine for her to reflect cooperation. Discussion Items - Final Evidentiary Hearing – Diane C. Moore v. Johnny Mitchell (Case 2025-8) and Diane C. Moore v. Kimberly K. Washington (Case 2025-16): The two cases were heard jointly due to common facts. Both respondents were former part-time employees at Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center. Allegations: Mitchell was scheduled to work on 16 dates in 2025 (May through August) but failed to report; Washington clocked him in on those days. An investigation by Parks and Recreation found misconduct; both resigned in lieu of involuntary termination. The Ethics Officer presented two witnesses: - Kevin L. Buford (Deputy Director of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs): Testified that video surveillance (limited to a 30-day retention window) showed Washington clocking in Mitchell on days he was absent. Mitchell showed no remorse; Washington was remorseful and admitted to the conduct. No restitution was sought. Total compensation not calculated because the department director chose to accept resignations. Hourly rate of Mitchell was $17.68. - William Lamar Cooper Jr. (Payroll Personnel Supervisor): Confirmed time card audit trails and HR records showing both employees were processed as “involuntary termination (resigned in lieu).” No repayment occurred. - Evidence Admitted: Exhibit 1 (time card audit trail for Mitchell, 33 pages), Exhibit 2 (HR report showing termination status for three employees including Mitchell and Washington), Exhibit 3 (letter from Buford summarizing findings), Exhibit 4 (probable cause report). No objections. - Ethics Officer Recommendation: For each respondent, an administrative sanction of $1,000 (the maximum), a public reprimand by the Board of Ethics, and referral of evidence to the DeKalb County Solicitor’s Office for potential prosecution (which could impose fines up to $1,000 per violation and up to six months imprisonment per Georgia law). - Board Deliberations: - Questions arose about the limited video evidence (30 days) and lack of restitution calculation. Board members expressed concern that the $1,000 sanction might be insufficient and wanted the solicitor to investigate the exact dollar amount for the proven days. - A motion was made to accept the recommendation and include a request for prosecution (not just investigation) with specific dates and amounts. The motion passed for Mitchell. - A separate identical motion for Washington also passed, though one board member noted Washington’s initial deception and recommended that the prosecutor consider her broader role. - Concern was raised about conflicting HR terminology (“involuntary termination” vs. “resigned in lieu”) potentially affecting unemployment benefits. Key Outcomes - Case 2025-8 (Johnny Mitchell): Motion to adopt the Ethics Officer’s recommendation (public reprimand, $1,000 fine, referral to solicitor) with added direction to include specific dates and dollar amounts for prosecution. Passed unanimously (all ayes, no nays). - Case 2025-16 (Kimberly Washington): Same motion passed (with one abstention noted as “I was reading”; no formal opposing votes). - Preliminary Case Dismissal: Motion to dismiss Case 2026-5 carried unanimously. - Upcoming Meeting: Next regular board meeting scheduled for June 18, 2026. The Ethics Forum will occur on June 5, 2026.

Committee Chair Ladina Bolton convened the meeting with Commissioners Marita Davis Johnson and Terry present; Commissioner Nicole Messiah was absent. The meeting began with approval of minutes from May 5, 2026, followed by an extended presentation on E911 operations and updates. The committee then considered several contract items under police services and fire rescue, with one item deferred for further study. Consent Calendar - Minutes (2026-0931): Approved unanimously via motion and second. Discussion Items - E911 Update Presentation: The E911 director presented call volume and staffing statistics for January 1–April 30, 2026. Key points included: - 116 of 137 funded positions filled; recent resignations due to family obligations and school. - Call answer times improved: 80.77% of 911 calls answered within 20 seconds (up from 71% in 2025 and 53% in 2024). - 46,892 abandoned calls; 40,936 manual callbacks completed. - New Next Gen 911 system launched November 19, 2025, with features including picture/video, GPS location, automatic Spanish translation, and planned administrative triage and emergency call triage (no additional cost). - Commissioners asked about translation delays (non-Spanish languages via third-party), abandoned call callback procedures, and a specific incident involving Nurse Navigator. Commissioner Long Spears raised concerns about language equity and offline follow-up was agreed. - Fire Station Street Lighting Lease Agreement (2026-0903 Substitute): Proposed lease with Georgia Power for lighting at Fire Stations 16 and 27. Commissioner Terry questioned cost-effectiveness of Georgia Power's LED streetlight program, citing alternative metering options. The committee voted to defer for two weeks to explore alternatives. - Police Services Items: - Mutual aid agreement with City of Atlanta (2026-0840) – Approved. - UASI grant 2023 for Axon FUSUS platform (2026-0842), $132,750 – Approved. - Helicopter maintenance and repair renewal (2026-0683), $630,000 including emergency rotor repair – Approved. - Body armor (rifle plates and helmets) cooperative agreement (2026-0748), $192,464 from asset forfeiture funds – Approved. - Towing and record services contract extension through December 31, 2026 (change order) – Approved. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved (unanimous). - E911 presentation received; no formal vote. - 2026-0903 (Substitute) – Fire station street lighting: Motion to defer for two weeks passed unanimously. - 2026-0840 – Mutual aid agreement: Motion to approve passed (unanimous). - 2026-0842 – UASI grant: Motion to approve passed (unanimous). - 2026-0683 – Helicopter maintenance renewal: Motion to approve passed (unanimous). - 2026-0748 – Body armor purchase: Motion to approve passed (unanimous). - Towing contract extension: Motion to approve passed (unanimous). - Items held in committee: 2026-0687, 2026-0303, 2026-0683, 2026-0596, and 2026-0769 retained for further discussion; next meeting to begin with item 2026-0596. - Meeting adjourned after all business.

The Operations Committee of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners met on May 21, 2026, to consider a range of agenda items including airport infrastructure projects, a solar energy partnership, facility management contracts, information technology upgrades, and parking rate adjustments. The committee also initiated a discussion on proposed changes to the board's standing procedural rules. All items were approved unanimously, with one conditional approval pending audit. Consent Calendar - Approval of minutes from previous meeting. Discussion Items and Key Outcomes Airport Projects - Resolution to accept GDOT contract (Item 260905): Accepted a $600,803 county match (25% of a $2.4 million total) for perimeter fencing replacement and taxiway improvements (K design and G relocation) at Peachtree DeKalb Airport. The taxiway relocation addresses safety hot spots and will meet current federal standards. Approved unanimously. - Bid award for perimeter security fencing (Item 260714): Awarded to Delta Specialty Contractors, LLC for $1,865,039.50, funded from the same project. Approved unanimously. - Sole source award for air show services (Item 260770): Awarded to Inspire Aviation Foundation Inc. for up to $275,000 to coordinate the 2026 Good Neighbor Day Air Show on September 19, 2026, featuring nighttime acrobatics, fireworks, and drone displays celebrating the 250th anniversary of America. Approved unanimously. Facility Management Contracts - Fire alarm and intrusion system maintenance (Item 260387): Awarded to Smart Building Systems Inc., not to exceed $150,000, for 24/7 monitoring and repair services. Approved unanimously. - General contractor services change order (Item 260760): Increased the cap on an existing contract with Atrecho Development, LLC by $639,000 to cover remaining minor construction projects through the end of 2026 while a new contract is procured. Approved unanimously. - Furniture for Maloof Annex Auditorium (Item 260765): Awarded to Exemplas LLC for $240,000 to outfit the space with new, ergonomic furniture. Old furniture will be repurposed for other county facilities. Approved unanimously. - Roof maintenance and repair (Item 260781): Change order to Hulk Construction Company LLC and National Billing Contracts for $3,736,514.10 to replace roofs at multiple health centers using SPLOST funds. Conditionally approved pending audit, with urgency due to summer conditions. Approved unanimously. Solar Energy Initiative - Solar photovoltaic RFP award (Item 260400): Awarded to Cherry Street Asset Management Holdings, LLC for a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with no upfront capital cost. Initial installation at 178 and 180 Sam Street and a solar canopy, totaling 665 kW capacity, generating 960,900 kWh annually and offsetting 54% of facility energy usage. Projected savings of over $1 million over the contract term. The vendor will provide workforce training for DeKalb residents. The contract includes a 5-year lockout period and a termination option. Discussion included potential expansion to other facilities (parks, libraries) using SPLOST funds, and the hiring of a chief sustainability officer and energy manager. Approved unanimously. Information Technology Contracts - Microsoft Azure service credits renewal (Item 260467): Awarded to Dale Marketing LP for $2.3 million to renew cloud storage services through April 2027, supporting email, SharePoint, Teams, and backups. Approved unanimously. - F5 network load balancer upgrade (Item 260690): Awarded to F5 Inc./MGT Impact Solutions LLC for $335,075.57 to upgrade security appliances and maintain vendor support. Approved unanimously. - Oracle Cloud Services agreement (Item 260771): A request to increase contract funds and extend term through 2029 for $13,093,905.76 was deferred pending return from audit (not discussed further). - Tyler Technologies cloud hosting (Item 260634): Awarded to Tyler Technologies Inc. for $4,094,807.88 to migrate and host property tax assessment software (IAS World) through December 2029. Approved unanimously after audit return. Parking Rate Increase - Parking rate increase approval (Item 260632): Approved a five-year schedule of rate increases for the Courthouse Parking Deck, Maloof Building lot, and Camp Creek lot. Rates will increase from $6 (two hours) in year two to $10 (two hours) in year five. Gates will now charge after 5 p.m., with employees exempt after hours. The revenue will fund parking lot maintenance. Discussion included providing validation for public comment attendees, but that was deferred to future committee discussion. Approved unanimously. Charter Review and Standing Procedural Rules - Committee discussed proposed changes to the board's procedural rules, focusing on the presiding officer's role. A consensus was reached to add language that the presiding officer (chair of regular board meetings and committee of the whole) should not chair any committee unless there are mitigating circumstances. The discussion will continue at a special called meeting on May 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. No vote taken. Key Outcomes - All agenda items (except the Oracle Cloud Services item deferred from audit) were approved by unanimous vote. - The roof repair contract received conditional approval pending audit. - A special called meeting was scheduled for May 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. to continue the charter review discussion.