DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 25, 2026
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 25, 2026
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners met on August 25, 2026, to address a lengthy agenda including proclamations, public comments, a public hearing on a pension death benefit ordinance, a special land use permit for a daycare, and numerous contracts and policy items. Key discussions centered on a proposed urban camping ordinance, data center health study, Flock surveillance contract, blasting regulations, and board procedural rule changes. The meeting featured Hispanic Heritage Month and Black Business Month proclamations, extended public comment, and votes on a wide range of operational and legislative items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved consent items including a T-hangar lease agreement (2026-1095), meeting minutes from August 11 and August 18 (2026-0704, 2026-1092), confirmation of Terry G. Phillips as County Attorney (2026-1239), and an easement abandonment settlement (2026-1229).
- Deferred approval of zoning meeting minutes from August 13, 2026 (2026-0731) to September 15, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ronnie Mayer (Brookhaven resident) urged the county to acquire a former hotel for homeless services, criticized delays on a new Brookhaven library funded by a 25-year bond, and supported Flock cameras while wanting oversight.
- Rosalind McIntyre (DeKalb resident) demanded an independent third-party health and environmental impact study for data centers, specifically in affected communities, and opposed a general county-wide study that would dilute results. She cited examples of health problems near data centers in other states.
- Lane Glenn (District 1) called for ending the Flock contract, citing privacy violations, abuses by officers, mistaken arrests, and lack of crime reduction based on FBI statistics. He noted over 100 municipalities have ended their contracts.
- Lee Taylor (Greater Towers Community Association) advocated for grant funding for beautification and safety initiatives in Meadowdale, highlighted reckless driving and vagrancy issues, and criticized Invitation Homes for poor property management.
- Keana Moore (District 3 resident) spoke against the urban camping ordinance (2026-0550), calling it compassionless and reckless. She argued services for the unhoused are insufficient and urged holistic approaches rather than criminalization.
- Stephen Benny (speaker) alleged campaign contributions from Shadow Box Studios to Commissioners Patrick, Davis Johnson, and Massiah, totaling nearly $20,000, and questioned their influence on data center decisions.
- Gina Mangum (speaker) urged the board to commission a health study on data centers and defend against Shadow Box's lawsuit rather than settle. She noted Commissioner Long Spears had previously supported the study.
- Tony Washington (Decatur Fire Chief) thanked the board for honoring Captain Gary Minard, who passed away, and highlighted his community work.
- Brenda Pace (50-year resident) called for stricter code enforcement against businesses in South DeKalb, requiring contractors to hire local residents, and addressing garbage storage issues.
- Akilah McDaniel (housing stability professional) requested deferral of the urban camping ordinance for substantial revision, citing lack of enforcement protocols, property storage procedures, and meaningful service offers. She stressed homelessness is a housing problem, not a failure of enforcement.
- Natalie Keyser (House ATL/DeKalb Housing Roundtable) opposed the urban camping ordinance, noting it criminalizes homelessness and wastes taxpayer funds. She highlighted research showing rent increases drive homelessness and that the Cicero Institute promotes such ordinances nationally.
Public Hearing
- 2026-0941 - Pension Death Benefit Ordinance (Second Reading): Staff recommended approval. No public speakers. The ordinance adds a death benefit for beneficiaries of county officers, employees, or deputies who die in the line of duty on or after October 1, 2026, and confirms no change to joint annuitant after payments begin. Vote: Unanimously approved (Commissioner Davis Johnson abstained per pension rules).
- 2026-0712 - Special Land Use Permit for Rooted in Christ Academy (Daycare): Staff recommended denial due to a daycare facility within 300 feet (violating 1,000-foot separation). The applicant previously received approval from community council and planning commission, but community council was unaware of the distance issue. Vote: Unanimously deferred to community council in October for further review.
Discussion Items
- 2026-1234 - Independent CIP Monitor Roles: Commissioner Patrick moved to approve but after discussion (Commissioners Bolton and Massiah sought more stakeholder input), the motion was amended to defer to September 29 BOC with a prior stop at Committee of the Whole (COW). Vote: Unanimously deferred.
- 2024-0842 - Board Standing Procedural Rules (Second Reading): Proposed three-sponsor rule for agenda items. Commissioner Terry opposed, arguing it stifles individual commissioner representation. Commissioner Long Spears offered a substitute motion to remove the three-sponsor rule, which failed. Original motion to approve passed. Commissioner Bolton suggested future addition allowing committee chairs to add items with one other member.
- 2026-0550 - Urban Camping Ordinance: Commissioner Massiah, the sponsor, defended it as a public safety measure. Commissioner Long Spears moved to defer 90 days for additional stakeholder input, citing concerns from the housing officer and law enforcement. After debate, Commissioner Patrick offered a friendly amendment for a 30-day deferral, which was accepted. Vote: Deferred to September 29 BOC with a prior stop in committee.
- 2025-0015 - Sound Ordinance: Deferred to September 15 BOC.
- 2025-0017 - Electric Landscape Rebate Program: Deferred to September 15 BOC.
- 2026-0244 - Data Center Health Study: Deferred to September 15 BOC.
- 2026-0769 - Digital Shield Oversight: Deferred to September 29 BOC with prior stop in ERPS.
- 2026-0982 - Racial Equity Study Implementation: Withdrawn after administration reported ongoing implementation (training, hiring inclusion manager).
- 2026-0218 - Blasting Ordinance: Tabled initially due to legal concerns over cross-reference to sound ordinance; later taken off table and deferred to September 15 BOC to allow legal review of redlined changes.
- 2026-1216 & 1219 - Sugar Creek Tennis Court Lighting and Porter Sanford Equipment Improvements: Deferred to September 15 BOC with prior stop in FAB.
- 2025-1525 - Water, Sewers, Sewage Disposal Ordinance: Taken off table and deferred to September 29 BOC with prior stop in FAB for further discussion with Urban League on pilot programs.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent items (listed above) and numerous purchasing contracts including:
- Managed security monitoring (MGT Impact Solutions, $1.76M and $542K)
- Change orders for sidewalks, roadways, CNG fueling station, herbicide services, mowers, UV disinfection, asphaltic concrete repair, de-icing, Kahua PMIS, service line verification, and more (some deferred pending audit or further committee review).
- Approved appointments: Shelly Bishop and Aprille Moore to DeKalb Board of Family and Children Services; Boniface Echols to MARTA Board.
- Approved Fire Rescue agreements: 50-year lease with Brookhaven for fire station; land acquisition in Tucker for $58,000.
- Approved Housing Investment Bond: $25 million taxable revenue bonds at 5.7% interest for affordable housing programs.
- Approved renewal of Urban League contract for water/sewer customer assistance.
- Approved Service Delivery Strategy renewal after brief discussion on future policy.
- Approved LMI Grant acceptance ($5.267M from GDOT).
- Approved CHaRM recycling program funding and park improvement grant applications (LWCF, GOSP, ORLP).
- Approved Solicitor-General lease assumption ($106K for remainder of 2026).
- Approved sewer upgrade agreement with PPF AMLI 750 Commerce Drive ($168,500 contribution).
- Deferred items to future dates as noted above.
- Executive session held with no action taken.
- Meeting adjourned after all business completed.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the August 25th, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting. I'm your District Four Commissioner and Presiding Officer Shekyra Johnson. Thank you for being here with us today. We do have a long agenda, so please bear with us. If we are running out of printed agendas, there are there is a QR code outside that front door that you can scan and get the agenda on your phone. Before we move into the inspirational, I did want to take a moment to have actually have a moment of silence. For them, and then we're coming. Let's take that moment now. Thank you. So now we will move into our normal agenda. With and we will start with our inspirational speaker, Miss Lauren Faison, who is the district three intern. If you will come to this front podium, there she is, ma'am, and I'll read an introduction for you. Miss Faison serves as Commissioner Nicole Messiah's District Three intern. She is a driven professional, passionate about project management, leadership service, and personal growth. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and is pursuing a master's degree in project management with experience in administration, project coordination, and government operations. She is committed to excellence and continuous development. Lauren began singing at the age of five with the encouragement of her parents. Her gift has allowed her to sing Gaylas and alongside artists, including the Anointed Paced Sisters and Kiara Sharard. Through both her career and music, Lauren strives to inspire others, serve with purpose, and become the person God has called her to be. Good morning. First, I would like to take the time to thank Commissioner Messiah and the Board of Commissioners for allowing me the opportunity to stand before you all. Typically, you all will have an inspirational speaker, but this morning I will be rendering you all a short inspirational song. Thank you. Thank you. I don't know about y'all, but I needed that this morning. Amen. So now we will have our pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Ted Terry, and then we will go to the floor for our presentations and proclamations. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Commissioners, if you'll join me on the floor. So I will be presenting the Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation on behalf of Madam CEO, and I believe we have our deputy director from the Mexican council here. So if everyone who was here for this Hispanic Heritage Month would like to start making your way forward, I will start our remarks. Good morning, everybody. On behalf of DeCab County CEO Lorraine Cochrane Johnson, welcome and thank you for joining us as we recognize the extraordinary contributions of the Cap County's Hispanic and Latino communities. Although National Hispanic Heritage Month officially begins September 15th, Madam CEO wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate a little early and recognize the community leaders and partners who helped make DeCab County such a bright, vibrant and welcoming place. Today we also honor Mexican Council Rafael La Vega for his outstanding leadership and partnership with the Cab County. I know I messed that one up. I'm sorry. Hilda Abbott Alberto Sorto Erica Loosa representing Gabriel Matude. Eli Velez representing Santiago Marquez and Stephanie Correz of Los Vecinos, the Buford Highway. CEO Cochrane Johnson extends her sincere appreciation for your work to support families, create opportunity, strengthen local businesses, and build meaningful connections across our communities. On her behalf, it is my privilege to present this proclamation recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month and the invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Madam Clerk, if you will read the proclamation. Whereas Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Hispanic and Latino communities. Hispanic Heritage Month 2026 is observed from Tuesday, September 15th through Thursday, October 15th. This event commemorates the ways these communities have influenced and contributed to society at large. Whereas DeCab County is home to a vibrant and diverse Hispanic and Latino community whose rich cultures, traditions, languages, and histories have strengthened the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our county. And whereas residents of Mexican origin constitute one of the most significant and long-standing Hispanic and Latino communities in DeCab County, contributing to the county's cultural vibrancy, entrepreneurial landscape, and economic growth for a thriving community of Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses throughout the county. And whereas DeCab County proudly recognizes the leadership and diplomatic service of Mexico Mexican Council, Rafael La Vega, whose work strengthens cultural exchange, community trust, economic development, and access to counselor services, along with collaboration, collaboration between DeCab County and the Council of Mexico in Atlanta. And whereas the Mexican Consulate has consistently partnered with DeCab County to enhance cultural programming, advance Hispanic and Latino entrepreneurship, and broaden community engagement, thereby demonstrating a shared commitment to the well-being and prosperity of DeCab's daughter's population.
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