[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6509122,"mediaKeyId","5442701-2e1a0016b220c7889d8a960a0cf01a18","parentId",5442701,"title","DeKalb committee approves substitute amnesty resolution, moves to codify water rate timing and authorizes bond issuance up to $450 million","audioSeconds",82,"startMs",1579000,"endMs",1661000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442701-2e1a0016b220c7889d8a960a0cf01a18&start=1579&end=1661","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442701-2e1a0016b220c7889d8a960a0cf01a18/thumbnail_1579000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509122/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-committee-approves-substitute-amnesty-resolution-moves-to-codify-water-rate-timing-and-authorizes-bond-issuance-up-to-450-million","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509122-26be604188fcea39af629d34c9460203/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614986&Signature=dw94qny0GLsN7WJi4rEYC4j2ha59EfCsyYpfpOlEvxdzSaOJDZjp6FPkBCYTMaXeJci6EeldYsNQovhfwChPOB8v9bxLWH312U6BgBRYA~Op2NZIQY380mkVmrKF~vBAkWvCxuUdUGUX2Ugxkg2qPxCE8De6ag1Iu1O-0KjI7ybm7gTjQkxuxoJ0gWSQHjThVjDmsamyJFuQ11q5uQjL7-BiaU6YiYvWdzV3xoMQ2WcWYDbQ16e8y-MTO6P60g~EWr8iZoD1bSaxPlpAwqeJtyK1d4KGP--4IlplB~nNJyB8s7YWW2aXtg2JNWgB7HojEv4jEPRSsqBKJGsjJpcODA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeKalb County","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","DeKalb County’s Finance, Audit and Budget Committee approved a substitute resolution to develop a means‑tested water bill amnesty program for income‑qualified customers and requested a targeted review of uncollectible debt in blighted condominium communities. The committee also agreed to formally set a new target date to begin a previously approved water and sewer rate increase and authorized the issuance of water and sewer revenue bonds to fund system priorities.

Attorney Kevin Welch (law department) reviewed edits to the original draft, saying the redlined version removed named condominium complexes and added duties for the county’s newly created water and sewer customer advocate to work with finance and administration in designing the program. \"We worked from the red line that you provided in committee last week where the names of the particular condominium complexes that were originally included were removed,\" he said, and noted the resolution ties the amnesty program’s launch to phase 1 or phase 2 of the Urban League contract discussed earlier.

Why it matters: The resolution directs staff to develop amnesty‑program parameters that consider how to handle delinquencies tied to multifamily properties and single‑family properties held by corporate entities, and to recommend an appropriate program duration or sunset clause. The committee requested an update before a planned Sept. 2 implementation date; the law department added an August 26 target for a presentation to the full board to allow consideration before the September target.

Rate timing: County officials said they delayed the public rollout of a previously approved rate increase on July 1 to align the increase with customer assistance program availability. The committee approved a friendly amendment to set the implementation date as Aug. 15 (rather than Aug. 1) so the county’s special‑call schedule and bond timing could be accommodated.

Revenue bonds: The committee approved a resolution to authorize issuance of water and sewer revenue bonds, series 2025A, for an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450 million. Director Diane McNabb explained that the resolution will be completed on Aug. 12 with the purchaser and interest rates filled after the county receives competitive bids that morning; the board will receive a substitute document on Aug. 12 with the blanks completed and then award the bonds the same day.

What the committee asked staff to do: Committee members asked the law department, finance and the water and sewer customer advocate to develop program parameters that include (1) options for addressing delinquencies tied to multifamily and condominium ownership structures, (2) how to treat corporate ownership of single‑family properties, and (3) an appropriate program timeframe or sunset. County staff were asked to deliver the August 26 presentation and prepare the bond documents and bid process for the Aug. 12 board action.

Ending: The committee approved the substitute amnesty resolution and the bond authorization during the meeting and codified the adjusted Aug. 15 start date for the rate increase; final bond terms will be set after competitive bids on Aug. 12.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeKalb County - FAB Committee Meeting - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","DeKalb County’s Finance, Audit and Budget Committee approved a substitute resolution to create a means‑tested water bill amnesty program and requested a targeted review of uncollectible debt in blighted condominium communities while also authorizing a revenue bond sale and setting a new start date for a rate increase.","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},6509127,"DeKalb County sheriff asks for $16.3 million in 2025, outlines $36 million five‑year jail capital plan",145,58000,203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442701-2e1a0016b220c7889d8a960a0cf01a18&start=58&end=203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442701-2e1a0016b220c7889d8a960a0cf01a18/thumbnail_58000.jpg","/articles/6509127/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-County-sheriff-asks-for-163-million-in-2025-outlines-36-million-fiveyear-jail-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509127-2ad3716343f101fb3cc0a895a8ff54b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614986&Signature=LArbxGQRPOLmBxtweqjCoFQ0r2sohWhutjwCawLAX54iIZGrU5w8yUfVx2TeCHm5ev~Ekj3BQrsoHePr4Izk5jBbm0BuEZl~IbbMhlw44JaiEh5okxFkmGTf~yZdZupo~1gaVqcplPsQ5~lU7tUuHpShYWHdyx7dskPcnveJ86lSNjncEsIZNzWUVt~5rFuIhTKP91AA8OesWRpY4VcWlHmPvNZGuSBdvcLRZ0m4d9Esuo9JmdmYXyx~E~3NiHtkKWKkGAOl6OZ2qIB3WAknmZ2nUxDiXPLNgByQ587LwlRTZVMJYaEE32jKNDs3njeHQJ0ifvJnIKwdRjiICcD~gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DeKalb County’s sheriff told the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee she is seeking $16.3 million in fiscal 2025 to address urgent repairs at the county jail and submitted a five‑year capital improvement plan totaling about $36 million.

The sheriff told commissioners the facility is more than 30 years old and described ongoing leaks, failing elevators, outdated plumbing fixtures and security hardware that she said must be replaced rather than repeatedly repaired. \"These are needed, and we must get this in order to fulfill my obligation as the sheriff at this point,\" she said.

The request to the committee itemizes immediate priorities the sheriff described as essential to safety and to maintain accreditations from the American Correctional Association (ACA), the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and CALEA (the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies). The sheriff said the facility holds \"Triple Crown\" accreditations and that outside inspectors evaluate building conditions as part of that process.

Why it matters: Commissioners pressed for details about costs, phasing and whether replacing systems now could reduce recurring repair costs. County staff and the sheriff’s fiscal manager said replacing systems and completing large projects sooner should reduce long‑term operating repairs. Committee members and the county’s facilities manager agreed to gather updated quotes and fold the sheriff’s list into the countywide CIP process.

Key figures and timing: The sheriff’s team presented the following planning figures: $16.3 million requested for fiscal 2025, roughly $10.3 million projected for 2026 and the remainder spread across later years to reach an updated five‑year total of about $36 million. The roof alone now carries an estimated total replacement cost of about $4.9 million, the sheriff said; stainless‑steel toilet and sink replacement that began with operating funds is now estimated at about $6.1 million. The sheriff’s staff said contractors are on standby but will not start major work until funding is in place.

Facility context: The sheriff described the building as a roughly 900,000‑square‑foot, eight‑floor facility sited on about 12.2 acres that, she said, has not undergone comprehensive preventive maintenance in prior administrations. She said limited upkeep and repeated patching have allowed problems to compound and that some fixtures present safety risks (for example, breakable porcelain used in housing areas).

What the committee directed: Commissioners asked the county’s budget and facilities staff to obtain and review the most recent, vendor‑level quotes and to integrate the sheriff’s priorities into the countywide CIP planning and funding discussions. County staff said a $1 million facility assessment line exists in SPLOST funding and that the administration and the sheriff will coordinate on quotes, phasing and potential operating savings from replacements (for example, upgraded lighting or a full roof replacement that reduces leaks and mold risk).

Next steps: Committee staff will receive the sheriff’s updated quote package, and commissioners said they would schedule a facility tour for members. The sheriff noted an audit is scheduled in March and said she wants visible progress before that review.

Ending: The committee did not take formal funding action at the meeting; members asked staff to validate quotes, fold the request into the broader CIP review and return with prioritized recommendations for the committee to consider in the budget cycle.","DeKalb County’s sheriff detailed an immediate $16.3 million capital request for an aging 900,000-square-foot jail and presented a five‑year capital improvement plan that totals about $36 million, citing safety, accreditation standards and worsening repairs.",{"_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},6509117,"Superior Court to receive $197,500 state grant for felony drug court services",59,2416000,2475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442701-2e1a0016b220c7889d8a960a0cf01a18&start=2416&end=2475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442701-2e1a0016b220c7889d8a960a0cf01a18/thumbnail_2416000.jpg","/articles/6509117/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Superior-Court-to-receive-197500-state-grant-for-felony-drug-court-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509117-98150d6eebd5fca89851c35af6ca3b09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614986&Signature=dWJ5dY6H4FZttFARnviyF-5MBCxEdlJHLNAK1x9rqt36JWCIEsWvMnBWQL-~rJ0-HlZpeQeq3jhnwmpk31x2R-bKWpNIeVJzBgOYatScrbklFIPpLJef~dbzoS1gVO74pCS~nz5nB3EQO--6kMrW8~ipECKBe5JYi-gmKciW~dbrUzgO665L7GgoG0V1EM-GbamWJRInkvFVB3mgIyqZ2dIjN9WvxKvL1GzUSfTedeucr6e6RLOdDaN6eMwaw5YYAlqMiubuvPJJiO-vkVHGMpdejGfzIUMyuO2YWrR6~PaPjekiylHZXIJqxadiU4RcyG3tFn-thFg2mgEEMDlrNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance, Audit and Budget Committee approved a grant agreement that will route $197,500 from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, via the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, to DeKalb County’s felony drug court for FY2026.

Lenora Hawkins, court administrator for Superior Court, told the committee the grant will cover contracted services for program participants and requires no local match. \"This is the last of our grants from the state. This is for contracted services for our participants. There is no match required and we do not foresee any issues with us receiving the grant throughout the rest of the state's fiscal year,\" she said.

Why it matters: The grant supports the county’s felony drug court programming, which uses court‑supervised treatment and services as alternatives to incarceration for qualifying defendants. Hawkins told the committee the state agency has guaranteed the availability of funds for the remainder of the state fiscal year.

Committee action: A motion to accept the grant and appropriate the funds passed without recorded opposition.

Ending: County staff will proceed with grant acceptance and contract steps required to receive and expend the funds.","The committee approved a $197,500 Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities grant routed through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to support contracted services in DeKalb County’s felony drug court; the court administrator said no local match is required.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DeKalb committee approves substitute amnesty resolution, moves to codify water rate timing and authorizes bond issuance up to $450 million

DeKalb County sheriff asks for $16.3 million in 2025, outlines $36 million five‑year jail capital plan

Superior Court to receive $197,500 state grant for felony drug court services