Dekalb County Operations Committee: June 2, 2026 Meeting Summary
Dekalb County Operations Committee Meeting Summary - June 2, 2026
The Dekalb County Operations Committee met on June 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting was chaired by Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson. Key approvals included contracts for card access maintenance, electrical services, a juvenile court build-out, software consulting, an electronic plan review subscription, and roof repairs. The committee spent significant time reviewing two major topics: proposed charter amendments (Section 15 on appointments and Section 20 on purchasing/contracts) and standing procedural rules. The committee deferred a $13 million Oracle cloud services contract for two weeks.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from May 21, 2026 (item 2026-0368).
- Approved item 2026-0689: Award of a low-bid invitation for card access, key scan installation, maintenance, and repair services to Southeastern Security Professionals, LLC and Georgia Entry Solutions, total not to exceed $858,000.
- Approved item 2026-0791: Change order #1 for electrical services contracts (extending funding and term through December 31, 2026) to GC&I Systems Group, LLC and Electronical Contractor, amount not to exceed $430,000.
- Approved item 2026-0894: Change order #1 for the juvenile court justice center courtroom 2 build-out (95% complete) to Diversified Contract Construction of Georgia, amount not to exceed $75,000.
- Approved item 2026-0858: Statewide contract for maintenance consulting services (application portfolio rationalization project) with Gartner Inc., amount not to exceed $183,000.
- Approved item 2026-0869: Change order #2 for Project Docs software (two-year purchase) from Bob Software Corporation, amount not to exceed $268,704.
- Deferred item 2026-0771: Change order for Oracle Cloud Services (increase to over $13 million, term through Dec 31, 2029) – deferred for two weeks by motion.
- Approved item 2026-0781: Change order #3 for roof maintenance/repair/replacement services at multiple sites, to Hawks Construction Company and National Billing Contractor, amount not to exceed $3,736,514.10.
Public Comments & Testimony
(No public comments or testimony were recorded.)
Discussion Items
Charter Review – Section 15: Appointments to Public Office
- Current Process: The CEO nominates a person to fill a vacancy; if the first nominee is rejected, a second nomination occurs within 10 days; the commission must confirm or reject the second nominee within 15 days; if the second is rejected, the board can elect a qualified person.
- Proposed Change: Add deadlines and consequences: If the commission does not confirm or reject within the specified time, the nominee stands confirmed (a "pocket veto" provision). If the CEO does not nominate within 30 days of a vacancy, the commission may elect someone without CEO nomination.
- Discussion: Commissioner Robert Patrick suggested extending the CEO's deadline to 120 days from notice of a vacancy, citing possible extraordinary circumstances (e.g., pandemic, recession). Commissioner Khalil Bowden agreed with 120 days upon notification of a vacancy. Commissioner Ted Terry flagged the 20-day period for commission action on a first nomination, suggesting 30 days to accommodate committee schedules.
- Consensus Reached: The committee agreed to 30 days for the commission to confirm or reject a CEO nomination; 120 days from notice of a vacancy for the CEO to nominate; and if the CEO fails, the board nominates by majority and then elects by majority. The clerk's office will track appointments (Section 2E).
Charter Review – Section 20: Purchasing and Contracts
- Proposed Change: Require the CEO to submit a purchasing and contracting ordinance to the BOC for review and approval; formal sealed bids must be published on the county website. The Charter Review Commission recommended these changes, but the CEO does not support them, believing they alter the executive-legislative balance. The CEO has retained the National Institute of Government Procurement for best-practice guidance.
- Discussion: Commissioners debated policy vs. ordinance. Commissioner Patrick favored a flexible purchasing policy over an ordinance, citing the need for quick adjustments in an economic crisis. Commissioner Terry argued that an ordinance provides transparency and prevents a CEO from unilaterally changing procurement rules; he noted that every other Georgia county has a purchasing ordinance. Commissioner Bowden asked for specific advantages of an ordinance; Commissioner Terry stated that publishing the policy on a website would be a minimum improvement. County Counsel added historical context: Manuel Maloof, who created the CEO form of government, insisted that the CEO have full contracting power. The contract and policy currently allow the CEO to change purchasing rules without commission approval.
- Outcome: The committee agreed to maintain a policy (not an ordinance) for now, but will revisit after the National Institute of Government Procurement report is presented (expected at an upcoming meeting).
Standing Procedural Rules
- Topic: Section 1, subsection 1(E) – Presiding officer's authority to set the meeting agenda (including consent agenda) in the absence of a Committee of the Whole.
- Discussion: Commissioner Messiah (not present) had requested clarifying language on how items get on a consent agenda and how a commissioner can object. The committee discussed existing procedures: any commissioner can request an item be pulled from consent at the action meeting for discussion or clarification. It was agreed that this process is sufficient, but the committee will likely add language to the rules defining "consent agenda" and specifying that any commissioner may pull an item for full discussion.
- Outcome: Discussion concluded with no final language change, but staff will draft clarifying language for the next meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Approved all consent agenda items (contracts and change orders) as listed.
- Deferred the $13 million Oracle cloud services contract (item 2026-0771) for two weeks.
- Reached consensus on charter amendment Section 15: 30 days for commission action on CEO nominations; 120 days for CEO to nominate after vacancy; board nominates by majority if CEO fails; clerk tracks appointments.
- Agreed to maintain purchasing policy (not ordinance) pending the National Institute of Government Procurement report.
- No final language change on standing procedural rules; staff will draft clarifying language on consent agenda and objection process.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, DeCav. And uh welcome to the ops committee today. I am Marita Davis Johnson. I chair the um county operations committee. Um my colleague that served with me is Commissioner Khalil uh Ladina Bowden and also Commissioner Robert Patrick. So he's here somewhere. I see his stuff in the seat, so he's here. So uh with that, um, I'm sorry, and we're also joined by Commissioner Ted Terry. Uh with that, um Commissioner, have you had an opportunity to view the minutes of May the 21st? Yes, ma'am, and I move to approve item 2026 0368. Uh I second. All in favor. Aye. Okay, those um minutes are approved. The next item we have is facility management. 260689. All commissioned districts. It's a low bed invitation. Uh 25073, card access, key scan, installation, maintenance, and repair services, annual contract with two options to renew for use by facility management, public works and drainage, police, public works, sanitation, department of watershed management, fire rescue services, and marshal's office to obtain installation maintenance and repair of all card asset points and county facilities. We recommend award to the lowest responsive responsible bidder. Southeastern Security Professionals, LLC and Georgia Entry Solutions, total amount not to exceed $858,000. And good afternoon. Good afternoon, madam chair and commissioners. Uh this um request is to um for Southeastern Security Professionals for our card access system for the county. This allows when you go to the building and do an entry gate or access doors, you use your badge. This is what the system is for. So this is for the maintenance and repair of that. Oh, okay. And this is a um annual contract with two options to renew. Do you have any questions? No, ma'am, not at this time. Do you have any? Okay. Um, with that is there a motion. I move to approve item 2026 0689. I second. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Okay, that is approved. Thank you. Thank you. The next item is 26071. All commission districts. It's a change order. Number one, the contract number one three oh two nine eight and one three three zero three zero one call electrical services, and your contract with two options to renew for use by facility management by rescue to obtain inspections, maintenance, repair, and installation of electrical systems, components, and equipment. Seeking increase in contract funds and terms through December 31st, 2026, and to ratify previously termed term increase. Awarded to uh GC and I, Systems Group, LLC and Electronic, Electronical Contractor, amount not to exceed 430,000. Yes, ma'am. This contract is used by facilities to do repairs and installation of electrical services.
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