Dekalb County Operations Committee Meeting - July 13, 2026

The Dekalb County Operations Committee, chaired by Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson, met on July 13, 2026, at approximately 9:45 AM. The committee reviewed multiple agenda items including contracts for financial empowerment services, chiller maintenance, HVAC services, and software licenses. Significant discussion was dedicated to finalizing standing procedural rules for the Board of Commissioners, covering meeting attendance, public comment rules, teleconference procedures, and legislative review processes. Key decisions included approving multiple contracts and advancing several rule changes to the full Board for consideration.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting via motion and second.
• CEO 261070 (Contract Award): Approved award to Operation Hope Inc. for constituent financial empowerment services (homeownership counseling, financial literacy, credit counseling) for county residents and small businesses. Three-year multi-year contract with one option to renew, amount not to exceed $929,460. The contract includes classroom training and individual case management (three sessions per adult). The service expands on existing NACA partnerships by adding financial literacy, credit counseling, and small business technical assistance. Commissioner Ladina Bowden inquired about impact on the NACA program; sponsors noted it is additive. Commissioner Robert Patrick supported the item, noting synergy with Decide DeKalb's small business loan program and training.
• 260899 (Chiller Renewal): Approved second renewal of contract for chiller inspection, repair, and preventative maintenance services through July 31, 2027. Awarded to Applied America, amount not to exceed $400,000. Commissioner Bowden asked about equipment age; facility management reported using SPLOST funds for replacements over the last 7-8 years, with 15-20 year useful life.
• 261006 (Change Order – Granger): Approved change order to add E911 and Animal Services as users to the existing maintenance repair operations contract with WW Granger Inc. Total amount not to exceed $2,105. Purchasing noted discounts were negotiated.
• 260953 (HVAC Renewal): Approved second renewal for on-call HVAC annual contract, including consent to assignment of contract from Galgon HVAC to Maxair Mechanical LLC. Total amount not to exceed $3,440.
• 261061 (Change Order – Lou Walker HVAC): Approved change order to repair and replace condenser units at Lou Walker Senior Center. Adding $70,000 to contract for walk-in cooler/freezer repairs as part of kitchen upgrades. New kitchen appliances are funded separately.
• 260937 (GCATS Software Renewal): Approved extension of contract for Justice Case Activity Tracking System (GCATS) used by juvenile court. Extended through December 31, 2029, with Canyon Solutions, amount not to exceed $233,178.75. Commissioner Bowden asked about renegotiation opportunities; IT agreed to check with purchasing.
• 260945 (Red Hat Ansible Renewal): Approved one-year renewal for Red Hat Ansible license subscriptions used to manage Microsoft Active Directory environment, including user provisioning, security updates, and policy management. Awarded to Emergent LLC, amount not to exceed $204,907.
• 260989 (Microsoft Software Licenses): Held in committee pending completion of audit. Amount not to exceed $18,927,592.89.
• 260998 (Secure Signing Renewal): Approved extension of secure electronic signature services through July 12, 2029. Awarded to Secure Signing Limited, amount not to exceed $105,940. County Attorney Terry Phillips noted the software automates document routing and ensures legal compliance.
• 261000 (Fuelmaster Software Upgrade): Withdrawn as the item required further work on the numbers.

Discussion Items

• Standing Procedural Rules – Consensus Items: The committee reviewed and approved several consensus items for recommendation to the full Board. These include:

  • Elections (Meetings & Attendance, #3): Newly elected presiding officer and deputy presiding officer shall assume roles at the end of the meeting in which they were elected.
  • Night Committee of the Whole Meetings (#8): Up to three Committee of the Whole meetings to be held at 5:30 PM in February, June, and/or October each year, at different locations. Public comments section to start at 6:30 PM for 30 minutes. A minor language tweak was made to reflect "and or October" for flexibility.
  • Inclement Weather (#9): In case of inclement weather or emergency, meetings may be held via teleconference or other electronic means, consistent with the Open Meetings Act. Language specifying "Zoom" was removed to avoid branding.
  • Full Reading of Purpose for Agenda Item (Parliamentary Rules, #4): Clarified that the listed subject and number must be read, but not the full purpose.
  • Agenda Publication (Agenda & Preliminary Items, #1): Revised process for agenda items: presiding officer issues call for items, items presented at Committee of the Whole, accepted upon one commissioner's request, and may be recommended for deferral to committee.
  • Superseding Agenda (#2): Minor capitalization changes (CEO instead of Chief Executive Officer).

• Telephone Conference Rules: The committee approved new language: "If a speaker authorized by the presiding officer, deputy presiding officer, or committee chair requires a telephone conference call to participate in a meeting, that telephone conference call shall be facilitated by the Innovation and Technology Department." The last sentence prohibiting personal phone use was removed. This item moves to the BOC for consideration.

• Legislative Sponsor and Review Process: The committee approved items 1-5 of the proposed process, which establishes a formal methodology for resolutions: Commissioner develops proposal, secures two additional sponsors (total three commissioners), sends to central staff for operational and legal review, then submitted via Legislar by district staff. The presiding officer assigns to committee for presentation. The committee separated this from time limits and agreed to incorporate the expired committee cycle mechanism into the general recommendation section of the blue book. Commissioner Ted Terry expressed concerns about quorum issues with three commissioners meeting; County Attorney Phillips suggested soliciting support in writing or via staff. Commissioner Terry advocated for a two-commissioner threshold, citing Robert's Rules. Chair Davis Johnson supported three sponsors to improve efficiency and consensus.

• Expired Committee Cycle: The committee approved replacing the existing committee recommendation section with a new version that adds an option for "expired committee cycle" and a paragraph stating that if an item remains in committee for three consecutive months without a recommendation, the clerk shall automatically place it on the commission agenda marked "expired committee cycle." This applies to all items, not just resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comment Rules Discussion: The committee discussed proposed revisions to public comment rules. Key points raised include:
  • Commissioner Michelle Long Spears' earlier proposal that residents of DeKalb County speak before non-residents.
  • Speaker card process: Concerns were raised about individuals submitting multiple cards for others who are not present. Chair Davis Johnson suggested requiring the card be filled out by the actual speaker, under penalty of perjury. County Attorney Phillips noted nuances for persons unable to write.
  • Campaigning at the podium: Chair Davis Johnson wants clear prohibition of using public comment as a campaign platform. Attorney Phillips noted nuanced issues like campaign apparel versus campaign speech.
  • Distribution of materials: Some members reported materials being distributed inside meetings; staff will review.
  • Enforcement: Commissioner Dr. Bolton asked about consequences for violations (e.g., using profanity). Attorney Phillips indicated they would look at enforcement options like removal from the auditorium.
  • Free speech concerns: Commissioner Ted Terry urged caution about over-restriction, noting that restrictions beyond "abusive, profane, or derogatory language" could infringe First Amendment rights. Attorney Phillips acknowledged the complexity, particularly regarding county employees.
  • The public comment rules will be revised by central staff and brought back for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: All consent calendar items (CEO 261070, 260899, 261006, 260953, 261061, 260937, 260945, 260998) were approved as voted. Item 260989 was held in committee. Item 261000 was withdrawn.
• Standing Rules Advancement: The committee recommended the consensus items and the telephone conference rule to the full Board of Commissioners for the August 11, 2026, BOC meeting. The legislative sponsor process (items 1-5) and the expired committee cycle proposal also advance to the BOC. Public comment rules will be revised and brought back later.
• Next Steps: The committee will continue work on public comment rules. The approved rules and telephone conference language will be presented to the full Board for a vote. A red-lined version of the consensus items will be distributed to commissioners. The committee acknowledged the goal of finalizing the rules before the next legislative session.