DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - May 26, 2026
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - May 26, 2026
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.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everybody. I am presiding officer and commissioner from District 4, Shakira Johnson. Welcome to the May 26th, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting. We will go through our agenda as scheduled. So first up, we will have inspirational speaker. Overseer Vanessa Hall from the Riemann National Church. If you will start making your way up to this front podium, good morning, everyone is my honor. Overseer Vanessa Hall, senior pastor of the world. Pastor Hall is a respected leader, prophetic teacher, and devoted servant of God who has faithfully led many into a deeper relationship with Christ and a stronger commitment to kingdom service. Following the passing of her husband, Bishop Stephen B. Hall, she answered God's call to lead with strength, grace, and unwavering of the National Church. She serves as the designated district director of Atlanta Metropolitan District of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. She celebrates this historic appointment within full gospel as she is recognized as a first female overseer in the state of Georgia. She's a spiritual daughter of Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III, senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church National Nashville, Tennessee. Pastor Hall is a proud mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, and an inspiration to many as she seeks to empower those connected to her to be effective and efficient kingdom believers. Please join me in warmly welcoming overseer Vanessa Hall. Good morning, ma'am. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you so much. Thank you all for having me again. It's an honor to be here with you this morning. So let me get started with these few moments that I have. And so uh again, thank you. Uh good morning to our commissioners, leaders, and all of those who serve the people of DeCap County. Today I simply came to encourage you with this thought. Good work gets heavy. I said, good work. It gets heavy. Galatians 6 and 9 says, and let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Leadership is rewarding, but leadership is also weighty. It can get heavy. Serving people is meaningful, but serving people can also become exhausting. Carrying vision, responsibility, and the concerns of an entire community is not like work. And sometimes the hardest work is not starting the work, it's continuing the work. I say it is continuing the work. Paul says, let us not be weary in well-doing. That tells us something very powerful. Even good people doing good work can become weary. You can love what you do and still get tired. You can be called to serve and still feel pressure. You can deeply, you can care deeply and still feel overwhelmed. How many of you feeling overwhelmed right now? Yeah, I feel overwhelmed. But scripture reminds us not to faint, not to quit, not to lose heart. And I'm a preacher, so I like preaching with points. Is that all right with y'all this morning? Okay, number one, the pressure of purpose. Good work comes with pressure because purpose always carries responsibilities. Um God promises per uh pressure.
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