The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners convened on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM at 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA. The meeting featured an inspirational speaker, presentations, public comments, public hearings, appointments, consent agenda, preliminary items, and items for decision. Key topics included data center opposition, a pension death benefit, adult entertainment regulations, a nondiscrimination ordinance update, park improvement grants, and amendments to board procedural rules.
Public comment focused overwhelmingly on opposition to large-scale AI data centers, particularly the proposed Shadow Box facility in South DeKalb. Multiple speakers called for a fully funded, independent health and environmental impact study before any further data center text amendments are considered. Specific concerns included water and sewer capacity, toxic wastewater discharge, negative impacts on property values, and a lack of transparency from county officials and developers. Speakers also criticized the board for denying a text amendment in June 2023 without public review and noted the county is now facing a $30 million lawsuit from Shadow Box. Other topics included concerns about the Flock surveillance system, with one speaker presenting data from FOIA requests showing over 17 million searches and misuse by officers; and a senior safety advocate reporting that multiple county departments had failed to respond to Open Records Act requests regarding pedestrian accidents on Candler Road.
Pension Death Benefit (2026-0941) – Staff presented a home rule ordinance to add a line‑of‑duty death benefit for county employees and to clarify beneficiary rules. One speaker questioned a provision regarding post‑retirement beneficiary changes. The board voted to adopt the ordinance on first reading and defer second reading to August 25, 2026. Motion carried.
Adult Entertainment Regulations (2026-0885 & 2026-0886) – Staff presented companion items to update definitions and modernize regulations for adult establishments, clarifying business license and zoning provisions. No public speakers. The board approved both items separately. Motions carried.
Moratorium on Adult Entertainment (2026-1184) – Staff recommended withdrawal because the newly approved regulations would take effect before the moratorium expires. One speaker opposed. The board voted to withdraw the item. Motion carried.
Street Light Special Tax District (2026-1147) – Staff recommended approval for a special tax district on Rogers Lake Road/Lithonia Industrial Blvd. No public speakers. Motion carried.
Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the August 11th Board of Commissioners Meeting. I am presiding officer in District Commissioner Chicago. Welcome back. We have been on recess. I hope all my fellow commissioners got some time off and got a little refreshed. We have a shorter agenda today, so hopefully it won't be too bad. Um we will start with our inspirational speaker, Miss Amaria Brown. If you'll start making your way to this front podium, and I'll read your introduction. Good morning, ma'am. I am pleased to introduce Miss Amaria Brown, whom I've had the pleasure of meeting at the DeCab Juvenile Justice Council's a decade of decade dedication, Gayla. The event was a wonderful celebration of youth achievement, community impact, and the council's longstanding commitment to creating opportunities for young people across the Cab County. It was especially meaningful to see students recognized for their accomplishments and scholarship recipients, celebrated for their dedication and promise. Meeting Miss Amaria at this event was an opportunity to connect with one of the young people who represents the potential and future of our community. As part of my continued commitment to youth development and positive outcomes for young people, I was proud to commit 10,000 in funding to the CAP Juvenile Justice Council. I'm also pleased to welcome Miss Maria Brown before the board today and look forward to recognizing her and the accomplishments that brought her here. Good morning, ma'am. Good morning, everyone. My name is Amaria. I am 19 and I'm enrolled at Shears Beauty Institute to be a master cosmetologist, and I'm honored to be here this morning. I'll be honest, when they first asked me to speak, I said yes, and then I immediately wondered why I said yes. But I'm here, so bear with me as I give a little bit of my story and why the IOP program means so much to young people like me. I entered foster care at 16, and I didn't meet my foster parents until I was 17. Before that, my life was let's just say unpredictable. Growing up, I moved around a lot, and there were times when housing wasn't secure, and I didn't know where I'd be sleeping or when my next meal would be coming. And when you grow up like that, you learn to survive. But you don't always get the chance to breathe to plan or to imagine a future for yourself. Some people grow up planning for college, and I was just trying to plan for tomorrow. That started to change when I met my foster parents. It felt like for the first time I could breathe. They gave me something I wasn't used to. Security and clarity. And they showed me what a stable home feels like, what support looks like, and what it means to have parents who truly care about you. Simple things like asking how my day was became big things. And honestly, some of my favorite memories are just us laughing in the kitchen, nothing fancy, just real moments that made me feel like I finally belonged somewhere. Then I joined Bill Roots IOP program, and that's when I really started learning how to build a life for myself, not just survive one. IOP didn't just hand me resources, it gave me direction and it gave me structure. I've learned real life skills like budgeting. And let me tell you, that was not a skill I wanted to learn. I definitely needed it. But don't always know how to navigate. Confidence that I can create stability for myself, confidence that my past doesn't define my future, confidence that I am capable of building the life I want. And programs like this matter because foster youth don't just need a roof over our head. We need guidance, support, and people who believe in us, even when we're still learning to thank you. Thank you, Miss Maria. If you'll stay, I'll give you a pen a little bit later. Such inspiring words. Next, we'll have Pledge of Allegiance. Um, Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson will be joining us later, sir. Dr. Bolton has decided.