[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6664615,"mediaKeyId","2373811-2d133f261d83746ecd726e794dbb047a","parentId",2373811,"title","DeKalb judges press committee for court reporters, security and digital case systems to reduce delays","audioSeconds",379,"startMs",3144510,"endMs",3524120,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373811-2d133f261d83746ecd726e794dbb047a&start=3144&end=3524","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373811-2d133f261d83746ecd726e794dbb047a/thumbnail_3144510.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664615/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-judges-press-committee-for-court-reporters-security-and-digital-case-systems-to-reduce-delays","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664615-b68789e4a348ce36cfd9ff331179d4bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=IYqzt3RpGNtVZfabx2gL0HOHDChYAsMWlGbRYDWU8jeLXfvu0yiHVCic4hOdaQMTwTpNZ1XF3X3q9Hy~iHe6GpyEOp4dJG9Mwf29-oKQzI6QB8gBthZL0zA5Un7BNMwTBrPpuj6tZvausDNIBw5faLhfI4vMwzNL-3U4yL5HwZjxlRAz1XwXA83qGjq~KvKA1i3UTy6UmDKOBQSbirvWWz8bynfBOnbx7v16jNWZ9vQEmo5vbHKNXT2F5vsoQm67-1tV4ZnAuTcOEqt~AWQcgLJJ8D-1J6g2wo-N-Ktvf9CpN4jNHVD8I4jXU~Yu6Vf36y2Br-XIdKE6OnYJ7zf9CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeKalb County","date","2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","article","Judges and court leaders told the DeKalb County Finance, Audit and Budget Committee that staffing shortages and limited technology are contributing to case delays and backlogs across the county’s court system, and they urged the committee to fund reporters, security and a solicitor‑office case management system.

Superior Court Chief Judge Shondina Morris requested $1,141,167 for priority items including judicial security, two court reporters (one civil and one criminal), two interpreters and restoration of Project Pinnacle and accountability‑court funding. \"We have to have court reporters, we have to have interpreters, and we have to have jurors,\" Morris said, stressing those items are required for court operations.

State Court Chief Judge Mike Jacobs outlined requests for a court administrator salary adjustment and additional clerk staffing to handle bench warrants, closing out older cases and other high‑volume tasks. Jacobs said division B currently has no funded court reporter positions for four judges and has relied on contract reporters; the division asked that two reporter positions be restored to the budget.

Solicitor‑general staff presented a $557,037 request for a case management system and digital evidence platform, plus related onboarding and migration costs. Commissioners and central staff questioned whether the software setup fee, implementation assistance and a project manager had been fully accounted for; the solicitor’s office confirmed the software cost included set‑up and migration items but staff said a project manager position may need further discussion.

Committee action and next steps

Members advanced funding for the solicitor general’s case management and digital‑evidence needs and approved the superior‑court near‑term package in concept; administration and the budget office were directed to return with detailed implementation plans and a vehicle/facility funding timeline within 30 days. Judges emphasized that quicker access to reporters and interpreters will reduce continuances, lower jail costs and speed case disposition.

Quotes and context

\"If we delay cases, that further backlogs the system. You might have more folks in jail waiting longer, which of course we have to pay for, and these things compound,\" Judge Jacobs said, urging investment in reporters and administrative staffing.

The committee supported prioritizing items that reduce courtroom delays and asked the administration to provide hiring timelines, procurement plans for software and clarity about whether vehicle or facility needs should come from fleet or CIP funding.

What the committee requested

Staff to confirm exact line‑item costs for court reporters, interpreters and court administration; to confirm whether implementation consultants or project managers are included in the solicitor’s software request; and to return within 30 days with final estimated costs and a plan to align funding sources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeKalb County - Special Called FAB Committee Meeting - Feb 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superior, state and magistrate court leaders told the Finance committee that court reporters, security staff, case management software and interpreters are required to reduce case delays and backlogs; the committee advanced near‑term funding requests and asked administration for implementation plans.","taxTitle","DeKalb County, Georgia","taxId",3571,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664619,"DeKalb FAB Committee recommends 2025 budget with targeted carryovers and program additions",0,926140,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373811-2d133f261d83746ecd726e794dbb047a&start=926&end=926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373811-2d133f261d83746ecd726e794dbb047a/thumbnail_926140.jpg","/articles/6664619/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-FAB-Committee-recommends-2025-budget-with-targeted-carryovers-and-program-additions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664619-5c3aaf428f9fdb3d8ee8986551c731cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=noCnSHlMZkLkpQjnyXV1k~f4YaIBQWf-mD2Vcb1qp2FXizxBfGviv2bWxiWVSz3j0ytqvXkCLxH8fCUrXFYrib2cAOBfEfIzwBQAwzTB7ThjUi-Fzpp~BoHZdRhGjtj6CQWWaEMxK1kuwr4VLvwxLd-IMzmchfwRcgJK8tc2TdxatTErBB5LeFDEIyjkDVZIdWX7n5rLW38FaarSOy6zYpu3Mh~AHqGWJWp~fcp7m-bwvyl5~rQ-DGog19krOP7NlVDw6t0R6VMY84O9B3S20bJDTLEx5WHG~mKiSoXg0xg92eO7MzrQD16Yd2wvAFDbidvQm9O~vBXM6em4kF-4eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Finance, Audit and Budget Committee voted to forward a recommended 2025 budget package to the full Board of Commissioners that includes a mix of carryovers from 2024, targeted new funding for county priorities and a set of items deferred for further review.

Committee members described three main buckets of amendments: Schedule C carryovers (items approved in last year's process but not yet spent), constitutional‑officer requests (departmental or office priorities such as the district attorney and courts), and commissioner requests (district projects and community programs). Chair Ted Terry said the committee would include most carryovers and certain commissioner proposals while holding other items for up to 30 days for additional details.

Key allocations and actions included:

- Superior Court and courts: the committee advanced funding requests for judicial security, two court reporters, interpreters and other professional services; Judge Shondina Morris asked the committee to fund $1,141,167 in near‑term needs for court security, court reporters and accountability court programming. Committee members said they supported prioritizing items that reduce case delays and jail stays.

- Solicitor general: the committee approved funding to purchase a case management and digital evidence system (the solicitor’s request totaled $557,037) and to address an ADA access improvement at Camp Circle. The committee approved the software funding and agreed to refine facility and vehicle requests in 30 days.

- Public safety and sheriff requests: capital needs at the jail and other multi‑year projects were acknowledged; the committee asked administration to return in 30 days with a detailed CIP plan for those items.

- Animal services and public health: carryovers and transfers for a mobile spay/neuter vehicle, a wheelchair‑lift shuttle van and humane‑society training were included. The committee approved matching funds for a proposed training program funded in part by a private donation.

- Public art and community programs: the committee included funding requests for Porter Sanford Performing Arts programming, a public art plan and graffiti remediation, and directed staff to coordinate details with Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and Discover DeKalb.

- Commissioner requests: the committee included district requests such as tree‑removal pilot funding, license‑plate reader trailers for portable deployment, crosswalk and trail improvements for the Stone Mountain Trail, and a proposal to acquire roughly 76.8 acres adjacent to Arabia Mountain; funding sources and implementation details will be clarified.

- Childcare pilot: the committee included a pilot childcare reimbursement program (estimated $150,000 initially) and asked the administration to report back on operational details and annualization.

Committee staff and administration identified a handful of items to be clarified before final adoption, including the status of unspent appropriations from 2024 and vehicle purchase timing; the chair asked commissioners to submit any items that had been approved at the end of 2024 but not spent so staff could re‑establish those appropriations where appropriate.

The committee approved the recommended package by voice vote and will present the recommendation to the full Board of Commissioners for final action. \"This is a really remarkable budget,\" Chair Terry said, noting the package covers public safety, public health, parks, animal welfare and infrastructure investments.

What comes next

Staff will finalize line‑item numbers, confirm funding sources (including alternative sources such as SPLOST or hotel‑motel funds where applicable), and bring the recommended FY2025 budget to the full board. The committee requested that administration provide clear, dated guidance about end‑of‑year carryovers for future budgets.","The Finance, Audit and Budget Committee approved a recommendation for the county's 2025 budget that carries over several prior allocations, funds new projects and defers some items for further review; staff will present finalized numbers to the full Board of Commissioners.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664624,"DeKalb committee approves parameters for up to $450 million water and sewer revenue bonds",888,26810,915360,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373811-2d133f261d83746ecd726e794dbb047a&start=26&end=915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373811-2d133f261d83746ecd726e794dbb047a/thumbnail_26810.jpg","/articles/6664624/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-committee-approves-parameters-for-up-to-450-million-water-and-sewer-revenue-bonds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664624-3ac98119c368233bc4c95fce67555cbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=I5d40ygm8eCZxW73wvVYo15gnwriOrhQuVOzhAEqBOhlb-8IKTTIXnCcZ0PlceU~v-RMfAqm~au7q3O6ZE5hDHexnbRVpyrRA0t-qzuwGMKUJxox5nejpVPBrq627SPtHTLKm4Pbfr5PPWkZTjS3teaQ169DvJnEQlRiGf96bSQ8bRxIc9pR6c4kbbpGyuDg~OOyGiT7S1pG97CnCLl3e851PpxtpUJRAoOtQQBHa6CmACB6rkQ6yWUyEMCfqPwI3hnM9bCWg4-i7Jw-HRRasVHclNQMoKBE6RVHzgQFu-W9WUt~3fx-cSR3is2xIJR~OSVXD4B3Fc8q18puJ12zUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Finance, Audit and Budget Committee voted to approve a parameters resolution authorizing the county to pursue the issuance of water and sewer revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450,000,000.

The committee’s action clears the way to begin the validation and investor‑market work needed to sell a bond issue, including meeting with rating agencies, assembling the sale team and preparing the official statement, but does not itself finalize any sale, county staff said. \"This agenda item authorizes us to issue up to $450,000,000 of bonds with a maximum interest rate not to exceed 6% and a maximum maturity of 30 years,\" an unidentified county finance staff member said during the presentation.

Committee members added wording to the resolution’s purpose clause to limit proceeds to financing the \"necessary\" cost of acquisition, construction and equipping of water and sewer system improvements. Commissioner Massiah raised concerns about issuing more capacity than the county expected to spend and asked whether language could be included to tie the bond amount to the county’s projected capacity; after discussion the committee agreed to amend the motion to add the word \"necessary\" to the purpose section.

County staff outlined the planned timetable: staff expects to solicit bids from underwriters, accept the lowest interest cost bidder, and then return the committee to approve final interest rates, maturities and sale terms. Staff warned that if the county accepts bids but cannot execute the sale immediately, the bids should be canceled because underwriters take orders in anticipation of immediate execution.

The committee voted on the parameters resolution by voice vote; Chair Ted Terry announced the motion carried. Committee members said the change adding \"necessary\" was intended to reassure members that proceeds would align with projected capital needs and to reduce the risk of negative arbitrage. County staff and bond counsel will return with the final sale documentation when market timing and bids are available.

Votes at a glance

- Series 2025 Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Parameters Resolution (not to exceed $450,000,000): approved by voice vote; chair announced motion carried. The committee added the word \"necessary\" to the purpose clause.

What happens next

Staff will proceed with the validation and rating‑agency steps and prepare an official statement. The committee will be brought back to approve final pricing and maturities after bids are received.","The Finance, Audit and Budget Committee approved a parameters resolution authorizing the county to pursue up to $450 million of water and sewer revenue bonds and to begin the validation, ratings and sale preparation process; the committee added clarifying language limiting proceeds to necessary costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DeKalb judges press committee for court reporters, security and digital case systems to reduce delays

DeKalb FAB Committee recommends 2025 budget with targeted carryovers and program additions

DeKalb committee approves parameters for up to $450 million water and sewer revenue bonds