[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6657071,"mediaKeyId","5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f","parentId",5091815,"title","Commissioners adopt standardized new‑hire onboarding checklist as county practice","audioSeconds",739,"startMs",2405000,"endMs",3144000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f&start=2405&end=3144","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f/thumbnail_2405000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657071/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Commissioners-adopt-standardized-newhire-onboarding-checklist-as-county-practice","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657071-7835ad176a5937e0e11448738133fccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530077&Signature=ZjtkXK6mZcYWokVIBgCA6DDBDc-wRboEEa3U6Jmhg5MHS8RpMiJK3RuDvBGPAizZBtwtaF3dIIxSFc6SB1mmrPezTFdM0jzai7Ok00VBHBYjRWZusrgYTVHSQmd4pj2NEcHLzQcF9oFB1ioTEIAZT4r67hQpHU0cWk0HPeGrEzWElE~9cd0TNeE0Hlkdn8W5-T-eTe6m-1LE9JBO6vfdGlM~e4l7j3kUiKd8DmlwOto9t6RRDoWjYtJ9JD58012GNk0-ZkEU6TkoNurFlQ6i9WYfbNKSKiX2H45NhW7UvmrUrRE-iRnby-XeFPUyevQO5p2RpKH5GFVYSowBhJsWUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeKalb County","date","2025-06-26T00:00:00Z","article","DeKalb County Human Resources Director Benita Ransom told the committee HR had developed a standardized new‑hire onboarding checklist to improve consistency in onboarding, knowledge transfer, productivity and compliance. Ransom said the checklist had already been implemented within administration departments and is part of policy CV360.

Commissioners reviewed the resolution (item 2025‑0600), which states HR’s checklist is a draft point of reference included with the resolution. Commissioner Messiah (speaker identified in transcript) proposed a friendly amendment: add a header sentence before the checklist that reads, in effect, that each new hire should be familiar with the checklist items as part of onboarding. Commissioners discussed whether adopting the resolution would lock the checklist such that any future changes would require another resolution; HR staff said the checklist was presented as a draft point of reference in the packet so commissioners could review it without needing to reference CV360 outside the packet. One commissioner asked for clarity; another asserted that changes would require a new resolution, and the chair indicated that understanding was acceptable.

Commissioner (mover) moved to approve item 2025‑0600 with the suggested friendly amendment to add the header language to the checklist; the motion was seconded. The committee voted “Aye” and the motion carried. HR said the checklist is an electronic document in CV360 and that new hires must acknowledge that items have been provided or discussed, typically by the second day on the job. Ransom added that online training modules and user guides will be available and that on‑site departments are expected to ensure new hires receive and acknowledge the checklist contents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeKalb County - ERPS Committee Meeting - Jun 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The IRPS Committee approved a resolution supporting a standardized onboarding checklist (CV360) that HR had already begun using, and commissioners asked for a clarifying header sentence to appear with the checklist as a reference.","taxTitle","DeKalb County, Georgia","taxId",3571,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657075,"DeKalb committee ratifies renewal with Concentra for pre/post-employment medicals",203,1934000,2137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f&start=1934&end=2137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f/thumbnail_1934000.jpg","/articles/6657075/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-committee-ratifies-renewal-with-Concentra-for-prepost-employment-medicals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657075-a393bc55c411d09314d39c59d1dcc3aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530077&Signature=QmstgPDC6mUdr1OOOngYphwj7KFuIKl67VRzccVmS6LXx3bOvoF8dV2z3BMhmqJh9zl-Vv4t2oKS5gkj4MnhDzsn9NyicP~CT4xL4kAVWcrOBLM0v6FpeUUE~0oiorfCLj2ZVeNJW~Ftp9ILdpNYPsQrAIjjPtX5mn8L-0OL38-RPtmfSZgXtzdoJ6V9c716pDe-T9W7I0ocbIg7MiX4URdfvkhNp5d43oaMtU5eeURxN49fU~aK37yf1qCgqdiW6la-HRNFmhi7odjVUy7hhcRbijc91HD~Z1ZeRCOrF9W9sO3wXoqaj2PAxxczFHO5uOZlzG5pS3IsSSK0wr0aWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources Director Benita Ransom told the IRPS Committee the county has an annual contract (number 1354714) for pre‑offer, pre‑employment and fitness‑for‑duty physicals and drug and alcohol testing with Occupational Health Centers of Georgia, d/b/a Concentra Medical Centers. The request presented to the committee sought both ratification of a previously provided contract term increase and exercise of the first renewal option through May 31, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $664,985.

Ransom said a timing discrepancy led to a ratification request: HR believed the contract period started in July but procurement issued the notice to proceed May 31, so the committee was being asked to retroactively approve payments from May 31 onward. The committee discussed testing regimes: Ransom said all new hires are tested and that the county maintains drug testing for safety‑sensitive positions; she cited about 3,700 employees considered safety sensitive and noted the DOT/CDL rules apply to some positions.

On marijuana testing, Ransom and Dominique (who oversees occupational compliance) distinguished between a medical prescription and a state medical marijuana card. Dominique said a valid prescription results in a negative test finding for employment purposes, while possession of a medical marijuana card alone is treated differently and could lead to removal from duty and disciplinary action. Commissioners asked staff to make drug‑testing policy clear to applicants at upcoming hiring events; Ransom confirmed the county will include that information at a July 10 job fair.

The committee voted to approve the item. Commissioner (mover) made the motion to approve item 2025‑0808, the motion was seconded, and the transcript records “All in favor? Aye.”","The IRPS Committee ratified and approved a first renewal of a county contract with Occupational Health Centers of Georgia d/b/a Concentra Medical Centers for pre- and post-employment physicals and drug/alcohol testing, not to exceed $664,985 through May 31, 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657080,"DeKalb officials report improving 911 service levels and plan next‑generation 911 cutover for Aug. 13",1297,452000,1749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f&start=452&end=1749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f/thumbnail_452000.jpg","/articles/6657080/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-officials-report-improving-911-service-levels-and-plan-nextgeneration-911-cutover-for-Aug-13","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657080-29ca0e352abf3f5f3fdeeb58c0197934/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530077&Signature=CfylBw9o-OntRmDJOFz3gErEqC-LxUCp7Gnhsz7HJk27LCG2kB2msJ1sF5OSuux4583dhgaJaUKTtUiin-OzebTAbneZjp4dWH46yu14HfPP5fi5zdRXBFFScDFW52JH99PKX9fkmo~hQir8w6Qmz8sC3QgEk4jlRAMjnxVmFFkmbIcMaLCDuLxGCUTFS~ceBCBMWy77RpSyqWgHfWGvqLmFTIS9wYkylQZfpb8BDhWBEvtuVrpaxh8-T~qHRh25MzQo8jFT4YpgryB5OtDFJ~GJ5bof7Fl202HEb01WCfG55tGyA2mdKxcFjEhSyZIltNL8yOs7Rbh8WYl9sMiyXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Swain, the county’s 911 director, told the IRPS Committee that staffing has increased and the department now fills 126 of 130 funded positions, up from 89 when she took the role in December 2023. The department raised starting pay to $46,800, gave communications officers a 15% raise and other staff a 10% raise, and implemented morale programs aimed at retention.

Service-level statistics presented to the committee show month-to-month variation: December 2024 service level 54% (baseline), January 2025 61% with 51,116 calls (affected by ice storms), February 44,735 calls at 74%, March 51,448 calls at 75%, April 49,933 calls at 75%, May 53,997 calls at 65%, and June 1–24 40,702 calls at 72%. Director Swain reminded commissioners the national standard is to answer 90% of 911 calls within 15 seconds.

Swain outlined the county’s Next Generation 911 (NG911) upgrade, describing two parts: an ESInet (dedicated emergency-services network) and a new answering platform that can exchange multimedia (pictures/videos), perform administrative and emergency triage, improve location accuracy, provide translation and transcription services, and reroute nonemergency calls into a separate queue. She said the county reached a 95% GIS match rate toward a 98% target and that half of 48 call positions have had upgraded console equipment installed.

Operational readiness testing is scheduled for the week of July 28, with a tentative go‑live (cutover) date of Aug. 13, pending no major issues. The county plans on-site vendor support from AT&T, the CAD vendor, and the recorder vendor during the cutover week and indicated 24/7 support will be available.

Commissioner Ted Terry asked about a mid‑year budget amendment in the administration’s request for $2,000,000 to cover overtime, noting the line item is “trending over budget.” Director Swain said the additional funds are needed this year to cover overtime for staffing and training and that the county hopes to scale back overtime in 2026 as efficiencies from the new system and staffing stabilize. Swain also said quarterly training academies and onboarding of new trainees cause temporary service-level dips while trainees acclimate.

Commissioners raised operational questions about testing, training scheduling (on-site hands‑on training the week of Aug. 4–8 after online modules), equipment installation timelines (remaining equipment expected installed within one to two weeks), and continuity of audio recording during transition. Swain said testing will include dedicated test lines and simulated calls before live cutover. The committee recorded no formal vote on the NG911 cutover during this meeting; the discussion was an informational update and included questions about the associated budget request.","DeKalb County’s 911 director updated commissioners on staffing gains, monthly call‑answer service levels, and a planned Next Generation 911 phone-system cutover tentatively scheduled for Aug. 13; county leaders also discussed a mid‑year $2 million overtime request tied to staffing and training.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657085,"DeKalb committee recommends Eric Atwater for county pension board seat",353,54000,407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f&start=54&end=407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091815-007f53af37f869fa15a32e215f302d2f/thumbnail_54000.jpg","/articles/6657085/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-committee-recommends-Eric-Atwater-for-county-pension-board-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657085-95b6278bd6b5223f1e4e4f6b39355767/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530077&Signature=W9MhEgF8qJ72cWgtsA7WfewD3k1DnLHbOOZCufaYKFsWVdkUdseFxsPTJ~I9SgwXavmQT9GgVVjFxgp0G2D0KL4~sRUEQEztS5Tkqo6vu21FmIaSH6XyQo6q32bJYgE4qhRB01V~reTn~Cy3WXnkG9eH56LZnDA2tmo~I8KMrq44e2J05sXcPSM-xfWAvv54u7wfpQZYxX1KXeZiN~ljJwqGGcbvjq06YBHRT452hBKKCsw8ZmL846uqZWvLmvgeJHxW6Y1aSFPN4vDtrChHC8QRqmyT7EsV-yGJMMisDzOG8FWWWfgMcdK6eotO1xeCc2s7ch-PrV2U5Az-0xqRRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ladina Bolton, commissioner for Super District 7 and chair of the IRPS Committee, said the panel moved to approve a final candidate for the county pension board after interviewing seven applicants.

The committee approved Eric Atwater as the recommended appointee to the pension board. Commissioner Shakira Johnson moved to approve the recommendation and the motion was seconded; the committee voted “Aye” and the recommendation carried.

The committee had interviewed seven candidates over two meetings and used a rubric to score applicants, Commissioner Shakira Johnson said. Marcus and Mr. Allen, staff members who organized interviews and scorecards, compiled the comments and final scores that the committee reviewed. Johnson said Atwater scored highly and ‘‘seemed to have some fresh ideas’’ including financial-education outreach with local colleges.

Commissioners discussed that candidates came from county employees, current pension board members, and a former commissioner rather than being directly recommended by board members. Committee materials noted that members ranked candidates using a 1–5 rubric, with space for explanatory comments.

Outcome and next steps: The committee’s motion to approve the recommendation passed unanimously; the transcript records the vote as “All in favor. Aye. ... Recommendation for approval carries.” The committee did not record a dissent or abstention in the meeting minutes provided.","The IRPS Committee voted to approve the recommendation of Eric Atwater as the final candidate for a vacancy on the DeKalb County pension board after interviews and a rubric-based scoring process.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners adopt standardized new‑hire onboarding checklist as county practice

DeKalb committee ratifies renewal with Concentra for pre/post-employment medicals

DeKalb officials report improving 911 service levels and plan next‑generation 911 cutover for Aug. 13

DeKalb committee recommends Eric Atwater for county pension board seat