Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The DeKalb County Operations Committee (OPS Committee) convened on October 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Chair Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson presided, joined by Commissioners Robert Patrick and Ladina Bow. The committee approved the minutes from October 6, 2026, and took action on multiple agenda items, including professional service contracts, change orders for pest control and fire extinguisher services, a technology upgrade contract, and a rental agreement for post-election operations. Two items were deferred to the next OPS meeting for audit review. The committee also received a year-one progress update from Momentum Firms on the county-wide operations assessment.
Government Relations & Strategic Consulting (26-1312): The committee approved a $72,000 contract with Peace Street Government Relations LLC for lobbying and strategic consulting services to support the county’s legislative and economic development interests. Staff clarified that this contract is separate from the existing Peach Tree Government Relations contract and will augment, not supplant, current efforts. The motion carried (voice vote; all in favor).
Pest Control Services (26-1361): The committee approved a change order extending the pest control contract (Power House Terminating Pest Control) through March 31, 2027, at no additional cost. A typographical error in the purpose section (listing April 30, 2027) was noted and corrected. The term is through March 31, 2027. Motion approved.
Fire Extinguisher Inspection/Repair Services (26-1362): A change order with All Star Fire LLC was approved, increasing contract funds by $125,000 ($100,000 for Facilities Management and $25,000 for Fire Rescue) and extending the term through April 30, 2027. A similar typographical error (listing March 31, 2027) was corrected. Motion approved.
On-Call Construction Contractors (26-1388): The committee reviewed a $55,235,000 proposal for a five-year on-call general contract services RFP with five vendors, intended for small projects across multiple departments (Facilities, Parks, Recreation, Fire Rescue, Roads & Drainage). Director Asbill explained that the contract covers ongoing, small-scale projects (each under $1.5 million) that change frequently. Commissioner Ted Terry questioned the equal allocation of $10 million per vendor despite varying technical scores and the absence of a bid tabulation sheet. He also inquired about funding sources (general vs. SPLOST). The committee voted to defer this item for two weeks to allow audit review (motion passed; all in favor).
On-Call Architectural/Engineering Design Services (26-1425): The committee considered a $6 million change order extending on-call architecture and engineering contracts (WSP, LDD, Blue Line, Access Infrastructure) through August 1, 2027. The extension provides interim capacity while a new five-year contract is being finalized. This item was also deferred for two weeks for audit (motion passed; all in favor).
Technology Solutions – Server/Storage Upgrade (26-1133): The committee approved a $224,583 cooperative agreement with MGT Impact Solutions for installation, configuration, and migration of county server and storage systems, including three years of monitoring and support. The upgrade is countywide and expected to take approximately 90 days. Motion approved.
Post-Election Operations Space (26-1533): The committee approved a $96,000 one-month rental agreement for approximately 96,200 square feet at 5615 Memorial Drive (old Kmart) in Stone Mountain for mandated risk-limiting audit and potential hand-count activities. The space will be used from November 1–30, 2026. Motion approved.
Lake Shassai and Alexis Mathis of Momentum Firms, the county’s implementation management firm, presented key outcomes from the first year of the operations assessment. Highlights included:
Commissioners praised the progress and discussed specific metrics. Commissioner Ted Terry asked about the AI governance policy compliance (75% employee acknowledgment), the decline in 311 calls (attributed to possible increase in online self-service), and the accuracy of roadway condition measurements. Staff clarified that roadway ratings are updated annually based on paved road assessments.
The meeting adjourned without other business.
Good afternoon, DeCav. I am Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson, and I have the pleasure of serving as the chair of the county operations committee, also known as the OPS Committee. My colleagues that serve on the committee with me, or Commissioner Robert Patrick, and Commissioner Ladina Bow to that said, have you all had the opportunity to review the minutes of October the 6th 2026? Yes, I make a motion to approve 0377. Second. All in favor. Aye. Okay, those minutes are approved. The first item on the agenda is I think I put one. The first item on the agenda is a new agenda item from the chief executive office. 26 1312. All commission districts, government relations and strategic consulting services, purchase and policy exemption consists of the provisions of uh government relations and strategic consulting services to advance the priorities and interests of the CAP County due to strategic stakeholder engagement, legislative and policy, advocacy, and governmental and economic development support. A contract will be developed and executed in a form acceptable to the county attorney or his designee. Awarded to Peace Street Government Relations LLC amount not to exceed $72,000. Thank thank you, Madam Chair. This item is um uh exactly as listed. It's really a professional service agreement uh between the county and uh PGR, um government relations and strategic consulting services, uh primarily for uh uh lobbying services, if you will, for um state. Um this uh contractor in the past has worked with us on annexation issues representing the county under the gold dome um economic development and other interest as they come up. Um so this is really a contract we're looking to pursue with PGR uh to assist in uh having assistance uh primarily under the gold dome. Okay, thank you. Are there any questions from committee members? Okay, Zach, um the Peach Tree Government Relations Organization. Are they working with Dan and his team? Absolutely. Okay. And this is a subcontract that Dan. But it's a separate contract. Okay, it's a separate contract. Okay, I yield back. Okay, okay. Essentially the same question. Um Peach Tree is going to be augmenting, not supplanting. That's correct. Correct. And we'll be bringing back uh the that other contract that you're referencing, I think next cycle. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair. Okay. And we are uh drawn by Commissioner Ted Terry. All right, thank you, madam chair. We're joined by Commissioner Taylor Terry. Thank you, madam chair. Um, so Zach, um now they've already been working for the county, right?