Commissioners approve Drug‑Free DeKalb funding plan, with conditions for unreported grantees

DeKalb County commissioners accepted Nov. 24 the Drug‑Free DeKalb coalition’s recommendations for distributing county offender‑fee funds to local prevention, justice and treatment programs.

The coalition presented category totals and individual recommendations: the justice category was funded at $12,500 (including community corrections drug testing and Auburn police undercover buys), prevention at $12,500 (including school‑based programming and youth materials), and treatment allocations were adjusted to total $12,500 through a combination of grants to local providers. Commissioners discussed specific line items and asked for verification that recipients meet contract obligations.

The coalition noted two organizations — Inspiration Ministries and Monarch Foundation — did not meet participation and reporting criteria required under prior grant agreements. The coalition asked the county to require verification that funds were used as contracted and to request returns if grantees cannot document compliance. "If Northeastern Center is not able to utilize those funds in the way that they said, then they will be required at the end of the year to return those funds and they go back into the account," the coordinator said.

Commissioners moved to accept the recommended awards and the motion passed by voice vote. Staff will prepare final contracts and monitor whether recipients submit required reports by the county deadline; the county said funds not used as required must be returned to the Drug‑Free DeKalb fund.

Next steps: County staff will finalize contracts and require evidence of program participation and reporting; funds may be reclaimed if recipients fail to document performance.