DeKalb County Committee of the Whole Meeting - September 10, 2026
DeKalb County Committee of the Whole Meeting - September 10, 2026
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held a Committee of the Whole meeting on September 10, 2026, at 2:15 PM. The meeting included committee reports, a review of the proposed executive agenda for September 15, and a detailed presentation on the Resilient DeKalb 2040 Master Plan. Commissioners discussed sustainability, energy efficiency, and policy initiatives, with votes scheduled for the upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting.
Committee Reports
- Planning, Economic Development, and Community Services (PECS) Committee (Chair: Commissioner Peck): Met August 25, 2026. Nine items reviewed; five recommended for approval, one withdrawn, three moved to next meeting (September 15).
- Finance, Audit, and Budget (FAB) Committee (Chair: Commissioner Terry): Met August 25. Discussed property tax appeals postponement, mid-year budget adjustments, and 2027 budget timeline. Approved uniform requests for Marshal's Office, Sugar Creek Tennis and Golf Course lighting/retention wall overages (increase due to engineering issues), and Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center AV upgrades. Deferred discussion on financial advisor RFP, water/sewer ordinance, and fiscal stability policy.
- County Operations (OPS) Committee (Chair: Commissioner Davis Johnson): Met August 18. Approved four facility management and innovation/technology items. Continued review of Charter Review recommendations. Received operational review update from Momentum firm. Next meeting scheduled for 1:00 PM same day with presentations on 2027 legislative platform, PDK air quality/NOAA study, and charter review.
- Employee Relations and Public Safety (ERPS) Committee (Chair: Commissioner Bolton): Met August 18. Deferred items on animal restraint/transportation ordinance and pet shop sales regulation (at request of Commissioner Longspears). Deferred resolution to establish independent civilian oversight and auditing committee. Recommended approval for blasting operations oversight (District 7/5 item) and AMR contract revision (term increase). Approved intergovernmental agreements for 50-year lease with Brookhaven and Tucker (fire station). Deferred non-discrimination ordinance amendment.
- Public Works and Infrastructure (PWI) Committee (Chair: Commissioner Patrick): Met August 24 (special call). 21 items; 18 approved. Addressed additional ELMIG state funding for roads/sidewalks, road/drainage projects, Watershed Management, and landfill construction funding. Next meeting at 3:30 PM to discuss industrial pretreatment of water impacts.
Executive Agenda Review (Proposed for September 15)
- Item 1166 (CEO's Office): Farm Fresh Mobile Market contract ($378,000 to Rataza LLC) – assigned to PECS.
- Item 1288: Health Care Access Expansion ($1.5M to Mosaic Health Center) – moved to consent with presentation at Committee of the Whole (COW). Commissioner Patrick praised as first county allocation of $3M for health care outside Grady. Commissioner Davis Johnson requested COW presentation for broader understanding.
- Item 1289: Preventative Health Care Expansion ($1.5M to MedCura) – same handling as 1288. Commissioner Patrick requested quarterly updates in PECS.
- Item 1315: Operational performance assessment amendment (Malden and Jenkins) – assigned to PECS.
- Item 1320: Recycle DeKalb Compost Beta Community Education ($325,000 to Compost Cowboys LLC) – assigned to both PWI and PECS. Commissioner Terry raised concerns about costs due to lack of local compost facility, citing data from his office's Avondale Estates pilot. Chief Resilience Officer confirmed preparation for discussion on facility feasibility.
- Item 1255: Annual financial agreement with UGA Extension – PECS; Commissioner Terry requested agent presentation.
- Item 1281: Safe Driver Championship grant ($2,500) – consent.
- Various purchasing items assigned to respective committees.
- Item 1244: GEFA loan approval ($17,887,000) for Shoal Creek trunk sewer – PWI.
- Item 1154: Undercover vehicles for police services – reassigned to ERPS (correction noted).
- Appointment Items: Agenda includes approval of September 10 COW minutes (consent), District 5 allocations for holiday health/wellness ($80,000), youth safety/violence prevention ($25,000 total to five marching bands, $25,000 to DeKalb PALs Plus), and renaming DeKalb Police East Precinct after Chief Eddie Moody (ERPS).
Resilient DeKalb 2040 Master Plan Presentation
Chief Resilience Officer Liza Malagro presented the Roll-out of Resilient DeKalb 2040, a countywide sustainability and resilience strategy. Key points:
- Baseline Metrics: Completed utility/fuel baseline for 1,200+ accounts; recycling baseline; 315 buildings in performance program (152 audited); 60% tree canopy in unincorporated areas.
- Current Assets: Landfill gas at Seminole Road produces electricity for ~3,000 homes; 1.8M gallons of diesel displaced since 2012; 497 alternative fuel vehicles.
- Flagship Initiatives: Net-zero goal by 2040 (pushing beyond 2050 resolution). Policies under development: Resilient DeKalb Ordinance (targeting October 31 passage), Zero Waste Policy, Electric Fleet/Charging Network Policy, Resilient Building Policy (county buildings first), Green Permitting Policy, Certified Natural Yard Policy.
- Energy Efficiency: Identified 21 buildings using ~40% of county energy; plan to reduce electricity usage by 50% through building automation. Will audit HVAC systems first before solar installation – citing prior solar reports as inadequate (windshield appraisals). Pivoted Sam Street solar project to Justice Center parking deck (50 charging stations).
- Revenue Generation: Exploring green bonds, monetizing waste commodities, green permitting fees, and hydropower from wastewater lines (using MPI technology for 65 lines, assessment due September 15).
- Recognition Goals: ARC Green Communities Platinum and LEED for Communities Platinum by May 2027.
- Compost Program: 500-household beta in 2027 ($325,000); addresses cost factors from lack of local facility. Responding to Commissioner Terry's concerns, will present long-term facility plan.
- Questions and Responses: Commissioner Patrick asked about solar P3 with private properties; Chief noted evaluation of non-buildable areas (granite formations) for arrays. Commissioner Masaya asked about electric fleet vehicles and charging stations; Chief reported inventory ongoing, 1,500 alternative fuel vehicles goal, and charging network mapping with GIS. Commissioner Terry noted tree canopy study errors (contractor counted street shade); Chief confirmed working with defense contractor using LIDAR to re-measure. Commissioner Bolton asked about watershed impact; Chief referred to hydropower assessment. Commissioner Davis Johnson requested Maloof charging station expansion; Chief noted plan for Justice Center first due to tree obstruction.
- Leadership Collaboration: Commissioner Terry highlighted his earlier Resilient DeKalb initiative (March 2026). CEO Johnson commended Chief Malagro’s expertise, noting prior administration lacked structure. Commissioner Bolton stressed data-driven approach. Commissioner Patrick requested future PWI updates on hydropower and charging networks.
Board Comments
- Commissioner Patrick: Attended legislative retreat, Taiwanese cooking competition, groundbreaking of Fire Station 5 in Tucker, and hosted community engagement at Embry Hills Library (over 80 attendees). Recognized Zach Williams' Leadership DeKalb distinguished alumni award. Upcoming: Coffee with Commissioner at First Watch in Tucker (Saturday, 9 AM).
- Commissioner Davis Johnson: Welcomed new interns (Amber McNeil, Brianna Simmons). Congratulated staff member on baby. Highlighted Wendy's cleanup issue resolved quickly. Attended retreat and Lou Walker Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Thanked community for support after mother-in-law's passing (age 99).
- Commissioner Bolton: Attended Unity in the Community violence prevention event, Lou Walker Volunteer Appreciation Lunch. Congratulated appointees to Women's Commission. Visited schools with school board member. Supported blight demolition.
- Commissioner Masaya: Focused on fall priorities (affordable housing, economic opportunities, connectivity). Recognized Dr. Valencia Price Littleton. Announced Glow at Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center (September 10, 5-9 PM). Upcoming: housing affordability discussion.
- Commissioner Terry: Attended retreat, praised leadership profile assessment. Encouraged flu vaccines. Recognized youth commissioner Jabari Burgess. Conducted kudzu cleanup along Stone Mountain Trail (two more dates: Sept 13, 26). Announced forest fashion show at Constitution Lakes Park (Sept 26) and Shakespeare on the Green in Avondale Estates (free).
- Presiding Officer Johnson: Attended retreat, advocated for quarterly BLC retreats. Launched new podcast episode with Chief Appraiser Hicks; next with Tax Commissioner. Announced National Senior Center Month proclamation (September 15), 9/11 remembrance ceremony (September 11, 8:46 AM at PS HQ). Visited Fire Station 11 and East Precinct. Celebrated blighted property demolition. Attended Clarkston International Rice Festival (Sept 13). Recognized mural unveiling in Stone Mountain. Congratulated Judge Deere Jackson on election to Council of Superior Court Secretary-Treasurer.
Key Outcomes
- All committee reports noted action items (approved, deferred, continued) pending full BOC vote on September 15.
- Executive agenda assignments finalized for September 15 BOC meeting; six consent items, rest assigned to respective committees. Two health care contracts (Items 1288, 1289) will be consent with a COW presentation.
- Resilient DeKalb 2040 Master Plan presented; Chief Resilient Officer will return with ordinance and policy drafts for approval scheduled by October 31.
- Motion to adjourn carried unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everybody. I am your presiding officer in District 4 Commissioner Shakira Johnson and welcome to the September 10th, 2026 Committee of the Whole. So we will get started with committee reports. Madam Peck's chair, would you like to go first today? Yes, Madam PL, thank you. Great morning to all. Madam PO recognizing we have CEO in attendance. Welcome to all of my Board of Commissioner colleagues. We have enjoyed this much needed break and a little R. We're up here just talking about it just briefly. But I serve as your your PECS chair, planning economic development and community services, along with Commissioner Robert Patrick from District One and Commissioner Longspears from District 2. A regularly scheduled meeting was held on August 25th, 2026, and those in attendance were myself, Commissioner Long Spears, Commissioner Patrick, Commissioner Terry, and we had also Commissioner Johnson. There were nine items that were printed on our agenda of those. All nine were reviewed. Five items were recommended for approval. One item was recommended for withdrawal. The remaining three items were moved to the next PECS meeting, which will be held on September 15th. We will have our lively discussion related to those items, and we'll dispose of those appropriately. With that, I yield back to you, Madam PL. Thank you, Madam Chair of PECS. Excuse me. Mr. Fab Chair, are you ready to go next? Thank you, sir. Yes, thank you, Madam President Officer. Good morning, everyone, Commissioner Ted Terry. The FAB committee met last on Tuesday, August 25th, joined by myself, Commissioner Michelle Longspears, Commissioner Shah Johnson, and Commissioner Robert Patrick. We discussed, well, actually, we have rescheduled the property tax appeals property appraisal um presentation. So we'll have that um at the next fab meeting. So look forward to that. Uh we are gonna we did discuss the mid-year adjustments uh timeline discussions that we talked about just mostly next year's budget timeline, and um as the committee members recommended and we agreed, we will be um starting our review of the constitutional officers and departments requests earlier in the cycle, um, just so we get that at the front end instead of kind of dealing with it at the very end um in the January February portion of the 2027 budget process. Um we are asking uh commissioners to bring forward any mid-year budget request to the FAB committee meeting. So um, you know, let's uh talk between now and Tuesday about things you want to add uh for discussion items, and then uh we will work with um CO Williams and Director Sigler to uh develop that that budget amendment um for consideration. Uh we also had a couple agenda items on and uh continuing the national institutional government purchasing uh contract, and that is focused on um our procurement process, uh augmenting staff, and um continuing uh working with that entity to improve the efficiency of the procurement department. We also had uniforms that were approved for the marshal's office. Um we did uh recommend approval. Thank you to Commissioner Messiah for bringing forward two budget um requests for the sugar creek tennis and golf course to address the um the overages from the lighting and retention wall for the third tennis court. That's been a project that the commissioners have previously approved, but this is an increase from just the topography and some other engineering issues. So thank you, Commissioner Sai for uh flagging that and bringing that forward. Um Mr. COO, you're gonna be um getting us a funding source. I think we discussed a hotel motel, um, but we'll look forward to receiving that um uh for the BOC meeting next Tuesday. And then um also Commissioner Messiah brought forward uh a request for equipment improvements at Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, and so again, this is really crucial because there are some um upgrades that are needed in the AV system. Uh this is our biggest event venue in DeCab County, so it's important that we have all of the technology and um the latest so that's and working equipment um so that this facility can be used to its fullest extent. And we did not get to a few other items on the financial advisor, RFP, and um the uh water and sewer um uh ordinance uh that's related to the um the the debt program and then the uh the fiscal stability policy um from district six office and with that I'll yield back that concludes my report. All of the technology and um the latest so that's and working equipment um so that this facility can be used to its fullest extent and we did not get to a few other items on the financial advisor RFP and um the uh water and sewer um uh ordinance uh that's related to the um the the debt program and then the uh the fiscal stability policy um from district six office and with that I'll yield back that concludes my report thank you thank you commissioner terry commissioner marita davis johnson from ops please good morning I am Marita Davis Johnson and I'm sure the county operations committee also known as the ops committee my colleagues who set on that committee with me are Commissioner Robert Patrick and Commissioner Ladina Bolton the ops committee met on Tuesday uh August the 18th committee members that was drawn by us was Commissioner Territory and Commissioner Michelle on Spears during that meeting we approve the minutes for the July the 13th ops meeting there was four new agenda items facility management items were approved uh innovation and technology items were approved there was one previously heard item innovation and technology items 2609 89 was recommended for approval also um the committee continued the discussion of the child of review recommendations we also received an update on the operational review and assessment from the momentum firm the ops committee will meet again uh this afternoon at uh 1 p.m where we will have a couple of um presentations one is the 2027 uh legislative platform the other one is the uh PDK air quality and NOAA study uh charter review and of course we will also continue the discussion if we have time I think we will on the Charter Review recommendations so please um join us live on the uh DC TV thank you and I yield back madam presiding office thank you ma'am commissioner bolton with the ERPS committee report good morning everyone I am ladina bolton our super district seven commissioner deputy presiding officer and chair of employee relations and public safety our last meeting was august eighteenth serving also on that committee with me are commissioners Marita Davis Johnson and Commissioner Nicole Messiah but also in attendance we did have commissioner Patrick Commissioner Long Spears and Commissioner Terry we had a pretty good agenda for that day um which included item 2026 0596 this is an ordinance to regulate the restraint and transportation of animals for and for other purposes of course this item was deferred more discussion is required in addition to the ordinance to amend the code to regulate the sale of dogs cats and rabbits in pet shops this was also deferred at the request of the proposer of that item which was commissioner long spears item 20260769 this was a resolution requesting the administration to establish an independent civilian oversight and auditing committee um this item was also deferred but we had a great discussion which include um elaborating on that item by the proposer or submitter of that agenda item 2026 0218 this is a district seven and five item as you guys know we have been discussing regulating oversight of blasting operations out of committee it was recommended for approval however um there are some updates that will need to occur with that item item 2026 1008 this is for background screening services coming out of HR that item of course was approved under fire rescue there was a request for multi-user hardline communication systems handheld gas detectors and portable air distribution boxes that item was deferred until the next meeting however item 2026 1050 uh which was to seek a revision to the AMR contract that was approved it was just a contract term increase to coincide when the services actually started item 2026 1246 was also approved this is an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Brookhaven to enter into a 50 year lease agreement something that has been occurring uh for some time but item 2026 1247 we were happy to approve this was an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Tucker we actually did a uh groundbreaking for a new fire station which was really exciting item 2026 1218 this is an ordinance to amend the non-discrimination ordinance which was to address licenses permit But item 2026, 1247, we were happy to approve. This was an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Tucker. We actually did a uh groundbreaking for a new fire station, which was really exciting. Item 2026 1218.
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