[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6656334,"mediaKeyId","5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463","parentId",5332914,"title","Votes at a glance: key DeKalb Board actions July 8, 2025","audioSeconds",2025,"startMs",2734000,"endMs",4759000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463&start=2734&end=4759","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463/thumbnail_2734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656334/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-key-DeKalb-Board-actions-July-8-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656334-05d36c3dbde6d6750a376dd52aa70f4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824590&Signature=VVcADZAN0iuYEYzGCvkSEFPoCDET-QE3hAmoX8v794HngncqdW-pxux9gjimiFiN4vh3g2d0urHSMgO7Q2cn6c81autFfSyooH9R-iuoXNw9aAK8fq-aCBp1zRNkEsXhgigsEd86BXOVUqk13ENLviS7qVYdGDeSj1-qvEvTIWOBpNQTw2WNNPIaHPUinGeP42LKZiIlusbWkPw6uJEgdRn-77L60D7IDT~bi0xXA04hTWXYS-~GRB4filhd4Mm4-3TaxBtcWMgCKNHNHQC--bfQuCqaOXKRMPF4Pwee8CDrTRm9uIcCuydF8a3asK~n~5svpZfPWjJ3FPtEi8-wBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeKalb County","date","2025-07-08T00:00:00Z","article","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held a lengthy business meeting on July 8 and voted on a range of items. The list below captures notable actions, outcomes and where to look in meeting records for more detail.

Votes at a glance

- Millage rates (Agenda 2025-0883): Board approved substitute millage rates for 2025 after the required public hearings; staff said EHOS credits will reduce net county taxes for many homestead owners. (See meeting record and staff presentation.)

- County attorney appointment (Agenda 0 9 1 0): William J. Linkus III confirmed as County Attorney (vote recorded as passed).

- Bouldercrest/Cedar Grove SLUP (Agenda 2024-0366): Deferred for decision-only two weeks; applicant narrowed request to 79 detached cluster homes with a 1,200-square-foot minimum and agreed to work with the community on adjacent parcel redevelopment.

- Data-center pause (Agenda 2025-0996): Board approved a substitute temporary pause on permitting new or expanded data centers in unincorporated DeKalb while planning drafts formal zoning standards (vote 4–3).

- Opioid settlement disbursement (Agenda 2025-0657): Board approved allocations to Claritel Behavioral Health, DeKalb Sheriff, DeKalb Public Health, and added funding for DeKalb Fire Rescue narcotics inventory-control units; staff said they would reconcile packet figures before disbursement.

- Major procurement/contract approvals (selected):
• PDK runway keel replacement (Invitation 2025-101669): Award to CW Matthews Contracting Company, amount not to exceed $11,436,043.12 — approved.
• On-call water/sewer construction pipeline contracts (multiple contracts and change orders): Board approved substitute for multi-vendor contracts and funding increases; packet includes several multi-million-dollar change orders (see PWI items in the July 8 packet).
• Playground and water-play equipment (PECS item): Approved to replace playgrounds and enhance parks (award and change order details in packet).

- Appointments and reappointments: Several appointments were confirmed or deferred for interview scheduling; notably the county attorney appointment was confirmed on the floor.

What didn’t change

- Proclamations and ceremonial items: The meeting included proclamations (e.g., DeKalb Youth Explorers, Disability Pride Month) and an inspirational speaker; those are not policy actions and were not part of the formal votes summarized above.

Where to find more detail

Board agendas, supporting staff reports and the meeting transcript (July 8, 2025) provide line-item detail, vote tallies where recorded, and the staff recommendations for each procurement and land-use matter. For procedural or legal questions about how specific items will be implemented (for example, EHOS credits and tax-billing timing), contact DeKalb County Finance or the Planning and Sustainability Department.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeKalb County - Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - Jul 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A quick reference to notable formal actions taken at the July 8 DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting, including procedural approvals, appointments, procurement awards, and land-use actions.","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},6656339,"DeKalb board approves roughly $2.6M in opioid-settlement disbursements to public providers, adds Fire Rescue item",41,7767000,7808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463&start=7767&end=7808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463/thumbnail_7767000.jpg","/articles/6656339/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-board-approves-roughly-26M-in-opioid-settlement-disbursements-to-public-providers-adds-Fire-Rescue-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656339-1b17635f1399a413b40e012b50dc8321/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824590&Signature=KosSylQmej49i5ykcjyN2Yy42aFLMzrkuVRkxE0dCQrInC5A9tBk4ZL6y4TmxifwCF9pSraEgDFjES55gpUN1pWe2HUIDI7TUwcG2qSxyX3UpVfmxL-S15JzIJ7Tl6f~UXVp~I4p3lggiFIZ-M0TI8kzsX0ndeRvsCk2pcPk338mCxk-8bi7i3tK6Tn7SbmPxMYSD7554NUthGpaflM4mz80dhYklTQjwKjZAKfohU4uSPernVXj8fj0p~iGQhQFhuqO4YWWR-Z8RLnkNuI6qz~2DmBJBC4rpziZTM-faIQqgwE2B6tijGkklzyBFT-vX9fusPSaz1KUZxYFwQg0yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved a distribution of opioid-settlement funds to county and public providers and added a specific allocation for DeKalb Fire Rescue equipment after committee review.

The packet listed disbursements to Claritel Behavioral Health, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, and DeKalb Public Health; during the July 8 deliberations staff said an earlier packet total had a formatting error and corrected the record, stating the true disbursement figure for the items before the board included an additional amount that would be added for Fire Rescue. Fire Rescue subsequently requested and received funding for narcotics inventory-control and secure storage systems (the department said the requested $204,000 would purchase approximately 45 secure vehicle storage units for controlled medications on response vehicles).

Speakers in committee and at the meeting discussed geographic targeting and service coverage — several commissioners and staff noted the concentration of overdose incidents in parts of South DeKalb and asked how funds and services overlap geographically. Planning and provider representatives said Claritel and other providers operate regionally and serve DeKalb County residents countywide; staff emphasized that some numbers in the packet were corrected during the hearing and that staff would reconcile final totals before implementation.

The board approved the recommended allocations and the additional Fire Rescue item after discussion; staff noted roughly $2 million of opioid-settlement proceeds remain for later allocations and that grant administration must follow the settlement’s eligible-uses rules.

Because several figures in the packet and the hearing were reported differently in places during the meeting, staff and commissioners acknowledged there were arithmetic and formatting discrepancies in the printed agenda; staff said they would reconcile final totals before funds are disbursed.","The Board approved an allocation of opioid settlement funds to county and public providers including Claritel Behavioral Health, the Sheriff’s Office and DeKalb Public Health, and — after committee discussion — added a funding line for DeKalb Fire Rescue to buy narcotics inventory-control storage units.",{"_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},6656343,"Commissioners defer vote on Bouldercrest/Cedar Grove development; developer narrows request to 79 detached cluster homes",798,3812000,4610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463&start=3812&end=4610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463/thumbnail_3812000.jpg","/articles/6656343/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Commissioners-defer-vote-on-BouldercrestCedar-Grove-development-developer-narrows-request-to-79-detached-cluster-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656343-32af966dadb57d7cf36649d931ec4e89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824590&Signature=Y509XDH37ODVhfSDVmsgbk6Pi0fQZp8VuzS8WCece7VCxmYs5jO~TB~LgyJ~t~TX2ZzE-D~1dTbxtoqllInQDVTSLijktJJW2Yh3SGKYwk-kdPIXNVpVirriDHSxedow2KHDhDCozrMKBiT8Y3T6lFe7Pb1NAP9XDzjVEWy8HLkL~KRS5esfC~1a5CEKcL2K21wZyWwtigi3-v~RjESMH1ZGnWUxWRgzfwc6uL4wsmdcB53ZrOfb7a0Qc3owXBeubnYTlu9~EL7UBd1B3lPhbYtivRJvvbLA2Rp~YN5dwnNko7e7I1HpCb~ri5wNROLMi7QikeeJsYN3JTabNVUMCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on July 8 deferred a decision for two weeks (decision-only) on an application by Battle Law to allow residential development in the Bouldercrest Overlay area at 2098 and 2124 Cedar Grove Road.

Rachel Bragg, zoning administrator, read staff’s recommendation for approval of a substitute with conditions but noted lingering community concerns; she said staff would support another deferral to finalize conditions. Michelle Battle, attorney for the applicant, told the board her client had withdrawn the prior request for townhomes and live-work units and was seeking approval only for up to 79 detached cluster homes, with a proposed condition that minimum unit size be 1,200 square feet. Battle also said the owner would work with community and commissioners on redevelopment of an adjacent C-1 parcel (3345 Bouldercrest Road) and would not automatically convert that parcel to residential without future approvals.

Multiple community speakers — including the president of the Cedar Grove Neighborhood Association and members of the East Conley zoning committee — asked the board to defer final action, to preserve the overlay’s intended mixed-use neighborhood-center components, and to get a clearer written plan that matches what the developer had presented at recent neighborhood meetings. Speakers requested clarity on open space, walkability, and integration with a small-area plan the community and commissioners had been coordinating.

Commissioners discussed standard conditions often applied to similar projects (landscaping plans, rental limits, minimum unit sizes) and asked the applicant and staff to work with district offices and the community to finalize binding written conditions. The board then voted to defer the matter for two weeks for a decision-only item, directing staff, the applicant, and the community to finalize language and a public-benefit agreement for the record prior to the decision.","The Board deferred action two weeks for decision-only on a special land use permit (SLUP) for 2098 and 2124 Cedar Grove Road after community members pressed for detached single-family homes and the applicant agreed to narrow the request to detached cluster homes capped at 79 units and a 1,200-square-foot minimum.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656347,"DeKalb Commission pauses new data centers in unincorporated county while planning writes rules",0,5343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463&start=5343&end=5343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463/thumbnail_5343000.jpg","/articles/6656347/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-Commission-pauses-new-data-centers-in-unincorporated-county-while-planning-writes-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656347-07bf484ead749200162ae4ee53285c08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824590&Signature=SLeFUFGIzuljWsV1ZmBnCU5tt4lzbA3U2Vj6kpOysKhfo6PKyQUR6oY~4TL3HnfYbFEAILZTUtH2t5VIe~m33PF62hv0SsQ8G~G7Y4tKB3PG4IPPfZwQHuQBYgknaCJ34tnzIEOHzXS5DZDfhUm-a1ifJUqWuEm00yPBDEx048Anjl03QzG~cmke0a~sGGkMvfbcCHrNTy7RIujXzICXjTAknwsdZUhVobOC-rM1bRYSbNceK2ot~gS6gshw8eHPlbsmuPi1meFl56lLbTLfXPaWpGx9PagvH6haB3qUnHVOgx5X6UBb53r2QHFHLKE-xnfxhjh8EqUZ03UKnnWLqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved a substitute motion July 8 to pause permitting of new data centers or expansions of existing data centers in the unincorporated parts of the county while the planning department develops formal zoning rules.

Commissioner Ted Terry introduced the item, saying that the county currently lacks a specific zoning definition and standards for data centers and that an open pause would give staff time to craft a text amendment. Planning staff reported there is one submitted application in the Bouldercrest overlay and two parcels with zoning-certification letters indicating a data-center use could be permitted; staff recommended a pause to avoid ad hoc administrative approvals while countywide standards are written.

Planning staff outlined a tentative schedule: drafting a text amendment over the summer, community council review beginning in August, Planning Commission in September, and return to the Board afterward. Commissioners asked whether the word “moratorium” should be used or whether a different term (pause, temporary hold) would be preferable; county planning and legal staff advised the board that the terminology is flexible but that the practical effect depends on the date a formal application is submitted.

After discussion and several commissioners asking that the issue move quickly to a public-draft process, the Board approved the substitute pause by recorded vote. Commissioners discussed balancing the need for technical rulemaking with fairness to applicants who had received prior zoning-certification letters; staff said those letters reflected a snapshot in time and that zoning rules in effect on an application date control.","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved a substitute action to pause permitting and expansions for new data centers in the unincorporated county area while the planning department prepares a text amendment and public review of rules for data centers.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":44,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":50,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656353,"DeKalb County adopts 2025 millage rates; EHOS sales-tax credit reduces many homeowners' county bills",1050,3784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332914-02524e0bf568c7bea650cb2382374463&start=2734&end=3784","/articles/6656353/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-County-adopts-2025-millage-rates-EHOS-sales-tax-credit-reduces-many-homeowners-county-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656353-72c9e14d368003f2ccc97a1373f9c65c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770824590&Signature=MXN2agBp-0OBru~ia~E-LQAtxD9sBYoT61CaL5e1mcmPBIQU1lah2FqqIYZMW31r0gEgOp25V4HVoyjRjsDgsJhoOwww5dDyB5fwfxf-Mh57LHzRcF5fI0HMkbLkECcFzxw1fpdM-B0EmQyP2ppnCdbZBbyPzFnp1~T5fE33eyMxbi2TmuEvvH187kTYow1xlLtRArCY04~rdrxMy9HVDkziVhHusPXM2cdTRvL0wWBVU~wWD5EucrKIBpaR3Qec2cFVI80gA7o7b1QHFYBe7tzqhdJZj5eZOvfRnkT32IMJktFEnv9ua7GuZ18p35IaqcpDsbLtHA6gziHLBUA1fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on July 8 adopted substitute millage rates for 2025 after a third public hearing and staff presentation on how the county’s tax digest, exemptions and the county’s EHOS sales-tax credit interact.

County finance staff explained the millage concept and presented the recommended substitute that calculates combined millage levies for the unincorporated area at a total of 20.81 mills. The presenter emphasized that, because DeKalb County applies the Equalized Homestead Option Sales tax (EHOS) as a 100% credit against the two countywide millage components (general and hospital funds), many homeowners with a homestead exemption should see a lower net county tax bill this year than last year.

The presentation showed example calculations for homestead parcels and used the county’s average homestead fair-market value to illustrate the effect: for a $450,000 home the county staff’s estimate showed a net county tax reduction of roughly $280 compared with 2024, driven by the larger EHOS credit for 2025. Staff also noted an additional drawdown of a prior EHOS reserve balance to provide extra tax relief on this year’s bills; the packet and staff remarks contained slightly different totals, which staff corrected during the hearing and said they would reconcile before final billing.

Speakers during the public hearing included residents who opposed the rollback calculation as misleading and questioned EHOS’s distribution; county staff answered detailed questions from commissioners about how the EHOS credit is applied, the use of available reserves, and the timeline for tax-billing software changes. After staff recommended approval of the substitute, the board approved the substitute at the conclusion of the hearing.

The board’s approved substitute will be reflected in the tax bills that the Tax Commissioner will print and mail. Staff told commissioners they will continue to coordinate with the Tax Commissioner’s office on technical testing to avoid delays in billing and to implement a portion of reserved EHOS funding for 2026 if system tests require postponement.

The board’s action at the July 8 meeting was procedural adoption of the substitute millage rates; final tax billing and credits will be administered by the Tax Commissioner under Georgia law and county procedures.","After a third public hearing July 8, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved a substitute set of millage rates for 2025. County staff said the Equalized Homestead Option Sales tax (EHOS) will provide a 100% credit on the two countywide millage components for most homestead properties, producing a net county tax decrease for many owners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key DeKalb Board actions July 8, 2025

DeKalb board approves roughly $2.6M in opioid-settlement disbursements to public providers, adds Fire Rescue item

Commissioners defer vote on Bouldercrest/Cedar Grove development; developer narrows request to 79 detached cluster homes

DeKalb Commission pauses new data centers in unincorporated county while planning writes rules

DeKalb County adopts 2025 millage rates; EHOS sales-tax credit reduces many homeowners' county bills