The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held a Special Called Meeting on September 22, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Decatur, GA. The meeting included presentations recognizing National Workforce Development Month and Small Business Opportunity Week, public comments primarily focused on opposition to data centers, and a series of votes on zoning, appeals, appointments, contracts, and policy items. The board processed a lengthy agenda, approved most consent items, deferred several controversial items, and went into a brief executive session before adjourning before 1:00 PM.
Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the September 22nd, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting. I am presiding officer in District 4 Commissioner Shaira Johnson. Thank you for being with us today. We will start with our inspirational speaker, Chaplain Sergeant Gregory Webb, if you'd like to start making your way to the front, sir. Sergeant Chaplain Gregory Webb, excuse me, has proudly served the Cap County for 17 years through the Cab County Police Department and became a volunteer chaplain in 2018. Throughout his service, Chaplain Webb has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to compassionate service, spiritual care, and community support. And his role as volunteer chaplain, Chaplain Webb provides guidance and support during times of crisis, offers care to county employees and residents, and works collaboratively with county leadership and public safety partners to promote wellness, dignity, and respect throughout the community. Chaplain Webb is dedicated to serving individuals of all backgrounds with professionalism, empathy, integrity, and compassion. His continued service reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the well-being of those he serves and supporting a safer, healthier, and more connected to Cab County community. Good morning, sir. Good morning, good morning. Good morning to the Board of Commissioners, Trust CEO, Madam Lorraine Cochran, Director of Public Safety, Director Fulham, our Chief of Police, Chief Pedrick, and to the various dignitaries and officers that are in the room. The Lord God bless you. Let's pray together. Father, thank you for these few precious moments. God, we pray that you'll speak to us and through us, and then all things said and done, you'll be glorified. In your son's name, we pray and we say, Amen. I heard it over here first. I want to, for just a few precious moments, talk to you from the subject of dangers of getting out of position. Dangers of getting out of position. Now, it's my favorite time of the year when we have the NFL, the football. Every Thursday, every Sunday, and every Monday, men running into each other in the interest of sports. But when we look and draw a parallel to the football game, the quarterback drops back to throw a pass. And he's throwing a pass at a receiver, but he's not throwing to the receiver. He's throwing to where he wants the receiver to be. Now, if the receiver doesn't get to that point, he can't get the pass. And those of you who follow football, when the receiver comes across the middle of the field, if the quarterback doesn't put the ball on him, then that's a problem for that receiver. It might be his last receipt. But there's dangers in getting out of position. One of my favorite Old Testament biblical characters is King David. One of my favorite is King David. And I want to read quickly, 1 Samuel 17, starting there at 32, and I'm just going to grab a couple of passages. It's a very popular story, and you already know the story, but I just want to grab just a little bit. Saul replied, You are not able to fight or go against the Philistine to fight because you're just a little boy. When it turned on me, I seized it by the hair and struck it and killed it. Can I get an amen? It's exciting to me. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he had defied the armies of the Lord. And saints, you already know the story. David was successful in slaying Goliath. But let's bring context. Who was Goliath? For 30 days Goliath tormented the armies of God. For 30 days he made a mockery of them. But who was Goliath? Goliath stood over nine feet tall. Scholars have estimated that he weighed 600 to 700 pounds. He was a ginormous man.