SPLOST Committee Meeting – June 11, 2026

On June 11, 2026, the DeKalb County SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Committee convened to review the SPLOST program's progress, discuss community outreach, and hear presentations from the Departments of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and Sanitation. The meeting included adoption of the agenda, approval of previous minutes, a presentation on a community outreach event in Deer Creek Neighborhood (Districts 4 and 7), a detailed update on SPLOST-funded parks and recreation projects, a sanitation/beautification overview, public comments, and a motion to request documentation for the Fraser Road sidewalk and bridge project.

Consent Calendar

• The June meeting agenda was adopted unanimously.
• The April meeting minutes (covering roads and drainage) were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Kaiser (Metro South CID) proposed that the CID fund 100% of design plans for Old McDonough Road and Lancaster Road, contingent on the county acquiring right-of-way (about 2 acres) and a developer performing improvements. He requested a response from the county.
• Jeanette Dunbar (Belvedere area resident) asked when roads that had been torn up for work (e.g., Rupert Road) would be repaved, citing rough conditions damaging vehicles.
• Jocelyn O'Neal (Greater Towers Community Association) praised recent curb bumping in her community but raised concerns about vandalism at a local park, a lack of equipment for seniors, and the need for speed humps to address dangerous speeding (noting a recent fatal postal worker accident nearby).
• Eric Madden (Stonewood neighborhood, 37-year resident) complained that his entrance road (Mince Road) has never been properly paved, despite paving equipment being used on less damaged roads. He questioned the grading process for road prioritization and called for more citizen input.
• Nina Sheath noted overflowing trash cans causing litter and asked about partial repaving on her street after water line replacement.
• Karen Douglas praised recent paving on Highway 78 but criticized the unpaved section from Memorial Drive to Park Place, describing it as full of craters and gouges, and asked when it would be addressed.

Discussion Items

• Community Outreach Report (Deer Creek Neighborhood) – Committee Chair Dr. Austin and member Stephen Benny reported on a community meeting held in Districts 4 and 7. Residents raised critical infrastructure and safety concerns: severe deterioration of Blandon Boulevard (30-year-old road), speed and child safety on Blantyre and Malvin (a near-fatal accident left a child disabled), a dangerous blind spot exit onto Bermuda Road (requesting a traffic mirror), and major accidents at North Deshaun and Bermuda. Resident Dwayne Cole thanked the committee for bringing SPLOST information directly to the community and requested a follow-up meeting to address emergencies.
• Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Presentation – Director Chris Bass (4 months on the job) provided an overview of the department’s assets: 116 parks (6,200 acres), 76 playgrounds, 62 pavilions, 2 public golf courses, 31 tennis courts, 2 tennis centers, 10 recreational facilities, 9 aquatics facilities, 104 athletic fields, horse farm, nature preserve, cultural arts facilities, and numerous lakes, dams, streams, and trails. SPLOST Manager Chris Kingsbury detailed SPLOST 1 investments: $34.4 million authorized, $32 million expended (94% spent), with $5 million in outside funding (including $2 million from the state for NH Scott Pool). He highlighted renovations of athletic fields (e.g., Gresham Park with Braves Foundation support), pool upgrades (NH Scott Pool: $9 million total, $8 million for pool), playground renovations, golf course improvements, and trail connections. SPLOST 2 has $48 million for parks, with $24 million budgeted so far for new centers (e.g., Mason Mills, Lucia Sanders, Alice Busy Center, Pleasant Dale Park).
• Sanitation/Beautification Presentation – Director Eugene McKinney (new to role) outlined the department’s mission, 86 employees, and core programs: litter abatement, gateway beautification (20 acres along I-20/I-85, $20 million investment since 2017), demolition of abandoned properties, increased mowing, herbicide, tree trimming, and partnerships with MARTA and GDOT. He noted ongoing projects like the Wildflower program and LED street light initiatives. Sanitation does not receive SPLOST funds directly, but beautification is funded through SPLOST gateway categories.
• Committee Q&A and Discussion – Committee members asked about: per-district park and trail data (to be provided); glass recycling (exploration underway); handling of unspent SPLOST funds (reallocated to SPLOST 2 categories); tree replacement standards (caliper replacement, 20+ years to mature); availability of design documents for SPLOST 2 projects (generally not public until after bid, but public records once bids open); connection of parks to trails (South River Trail, Medlock Park to Lula Hills, and other connections in progress); beautification schedules (ongoing, not one-time); the county’s approach to maintenance (mix of internal staff, consultants, and contractors to optimize resources); and the scoring system for prioritizing park and road projects (the committee requested a written explanation of the road scoring system).
• Procedural Discussion on Documentation Requests – The committee discussed how to formally request information. The CEO’s office and county attorney advised that requests should be made by the body (not individual ad hoc emails) and that information may be withheld during competitive procurement. The committee agreed to bring future requests through the agenda process.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Request Documentation for Fraser Road Sidewalk and Bridge Project – Passed unanimously. The motion, made by Mr. Dutro and seconded, asked the county to confirm the existence and location of the following documents for the Fraser Road project: (A) conceptual design and layout for sidewalk and shoulder improvements; (B) evaluations of east-west alignment alternatives; (C) site distance analysis and RRFB placement considerations; (D) pedestrian bridge siting, concept details, and cost assumptions; and (E) environmental screening findings and GIS/delineation data. The committee requested confirmation of what exists, where it is stored, and whether it can be retrieved by the committee.
• Next Steps – The committee will compile a list of desired documentation for future projects and present it on an upcoming agenda. The COO confirmed that reasonable requests for information will be honored, subject to confidentiality and procurement rules.
• Meeting Adjourned – The meeting was adjourned after the motion.