Public Works Department

A large white garbage truck with a yellow back door parked on concrete with green trees in the background.

The DeKalb County Public Works Department consists of four major divisions that are responsible for providing essential infrastructure and environmental services to the residents and visitors of DeKalb County. These services generally include:

Management, maintenance and improvement of infrastructure for roadways, signs and signals, bridges, stormwater conveyances and management systems, sidewalks and curbs, as well as the right-of-way, easements and properties within which the public infrastructure resides.
Improving and protecting public safety through best management practices in traffic management and stormwater management.
Operation and management of all solid waste services within DeKalb County, including residential and commercial collection services and landfill operations.
Management and maintenance of the County’s fleet, including police vehicles, fire apparatus, rolling stock and equipment necessary for effective operation of the county.

Leadership

A smiling man with a gray beard in a suit and striped tie stands in front of a U.S. flag. The background is dark, conveying a formal tone.

Robert L. Gordon

Robert L. Gordon serves as Director of Public Works for DeKalb County, Georgia, bringing 40 years of experience in fleet, operations, and public service leadership. He oversees the planning, direction and administration of the operations of over 1,000 employees of the County’s Public Works divisions—Fleet Management, Roads & Drainage, Sanitation, and Transportation— management, maintenance and improvement of infrastructure including roadways, signs and signals, bridges, stormwater conveyances and management systems, sidewalks and curbs, as well as the right-of-way, easements and properties where infrastructure resides, protecting public safety through best management practices in traffic management and stormwater management. Operation and management of all solid waste services within DeKalb County, and management and maintenance of the County’s fleet, including police vehicles and fire apparatus, rolling stock and equipment necessary for effective operation of the county.

Prior to this role, Director Gordon led DeKalb County’s nationally recognized Fleet Management Department, where he earned multiple industry awards and helped position the County as a leader in innovation, workforce development, and sustainable fleet practices. Known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to operational excellence, he continues to focus on strengthening infrastructure, improving customer service, and advancing forward-thinking solutions that support the County’s priorities.

Originally from Rossville, Georgia, he is an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.

In his spare time, you can find him spending time with his wonderfully talented and beautiful family, fishing, traveling and riding motorcycles.

Our Mission

The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the citizens of DeKalb County with the highest quality of Public Works services. The Public Works Department accomplishes this mission through its four divisions: Fleet Maintenance, Roads & Drainage, Sanitation and Transportation.

Our vision is to be proactive, responsive and transparent in all our actions, and to perform our duties with professionalism and a commitment to excellence. We strive to be fiscally responsible and operationally effective.

One DeKalb. One Mission. One Future.

Goals & Values

We value providing the citizens of DeKalb County with:

Transparency: The Public Works Department values open communication with our citizens, elected officials and other departments. We strive to be professional and courteous in all interactions.
Integrity: The Public Works Department values fairness, honesty, fiscal responsibility and accountability in all aspects of our duties and interactions with others.
Safety: The Public Works Department is committed to providing a safe environment for our citizens and employees.
Quality: The Public Works Department believes that every job should be performed to our best abilities and to strive for excellence.