Board of Commissioners' Meetings

The Committee of the Whole (COW) is an agenda-setting meeting that includes all Commissioners. It provides a forum to discuss issues brought by Board actions, the Commission’s presiding officer, or proposals from the CEO’s administration.

Committee Information: Chakira Johnson - District 4 (Presiding Officer), LaDena Bolton - Super District 7 (Deputy Presiding Officer), Michelle Long Spears - District 2 (Member), Nicole Massiah - District 3 (Member), Robert Patrick - District 1 (Member), Mereda Davis Johnson - District 5 (Member), Edward "Ted" Terry - Super District 6 (Member)

Committee Staff Contact:
Dionne McKenzie, Special Projects Manager
Phone: 404-371-2893
Email: dmmckenz@dekalbcountyga.gov

Meeting Schedule & Location:
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 9:00 AM
178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030 – Room A1201

You may view the broadcasting of all Commission Meetings via DCTV. Please refer to public participation section below for how to make a public comment. 

The times shown are standing meeting times, but are subject to change. Please feel free to contact the Board of Commissioner's office to confirm a meeting.

The DeKalb County Operations (OPS) Committee oversees countywide support services and the allocation of related departmental costs.

Committee Leadership: Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson (Chair), Commissioner Robert Patrick (Member), Commissioner LaDena Bolton (Member)

Departments: Animal Services, Chief Executive, Citizen Help Center, DCTV, Ethics Board, Facilities Management, Fleet Maintenance, Information Systems, Law, Registration & Elections
 

Committee Staff Contact:
John Manson, Senior Policy Analyst  
Phone: 404-371-6207

Email: jwmanson@dekalbcountyga.gov
 

Meeting Schedule & Location:
COW Dates, 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030

The Employee Relations & Public Safety (ERPS) Committee addresses countywide employee benefits, public safety services, and related policies. The committee’s work focuses on:  Ensuring a fiscally sustainable and competitive employee benefits system, reviewing the quality and integrity of fire, rescue, and emergency medical services, and evaluating police staffing and resources to maintain effective and sustainable service delivery in unincorporated DeKalb County.

Committee Leadership: Commissioner LaDena Bolton (Chair), Commissioner Chakira Johnson (Member), Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson (Member)

Departments: Emergency Management, E-911, Fire & Rescue Services, Health Benefits, Human Resources, Pension, Police, Risk Management, Medical Examiner, Wellness

Committee Staff Contact:
Marcus Allen, Policy Analyst  
Phone: 404-371-2843
Email: mmallen@dekalbcountyga.gov

Meeting Schedule & Location:
COW Dates, 2:15 PM–3:30 PM
178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030

The Public Works & Infrastructure (PWI) Committee oversees countywide public works services and the allocation of related departmental resources. This page provides information on committee discussions, public participation, and staff contacts.

Committee Leadership: Commissioner Robert Patrick (Chair), Commissioner Chakira Johnson (Member), Commissioner Nicole Massiah (Member)

Departments: MARTA, Transportation, Public Works, Roads & Drainage, Sanitation, Stormwater, Watershed Management

Committee Staff Contact: 
Marcus Allen, Policy Analyst  
Phone: 404-371-2843
Email: mmallen@dekalbcountyga.gov

Meeting Schedule & Location: 
COW Dates, 3:30 PM–5:00 PM
178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030

The Planning, Economic Development & Community Services (PECS) Committee reviews and recommends policy for the county’s planning and community development programs. The committee also provides oversight of economic development initiatives, including Intergovernmental Agreements, to support a strong and sustainable community.

Committee Leadership: Commissioner Nicole Massiah (Chair), Commissioner Michelle Long Spears (Member), Commissioner Ted Terry (Member)

Departments: Beautification, Code Enforcement, Community Development, Community Service Board, DeKalb Housing Authority, Development Authority of DeKalb County, DFACS, Entertainment Commission, Human Services, Land Bank Authority, Library, Parks and Recreation, Planning & Development, Public Health, Workforce Development

Committee Staff Contact:
Shannon McGraw, Policy Analyst  
Phone: 404-371-3464
Email: snmcgraw@dekalbcountyga.gov

Meeting Schedule & Location:
BOC Dates, 2:00 PM- 3:30 PM
178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030

The Finance, Audit & Budget (FAB) Committee reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s proposed budget and provides recommendations on budgetary policies before final adoption by the Board of Commissioners. The committee also evaluates items affecting county revenues and expenditures across various areas.

Committee Leadership: Commissioner Ted Terry (Chair), Commissioner Michelle Long Spears (Member), Commissioner Chakira Johnson  (Member)

Departments: Budget, Constitutional Departments, Finance, Internal Audit, Property Appraisal, Purchasing, Tax Commissioner

Committee Staff Contact:
Jessica Blair-Muhammad, Management Analyst III 
Phone: 404-371-2090
Email: jablair@dekalbcountyga.gov

Meeting Schedule & Location:
BOC Dates, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM
178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030

The public has the opportunity to attend the Board of Commissioners' regular meetings. Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Public hearings, where members of the public are invited to speak directly to the Board, are held during the regular Board of Commissioners meetings. Members of the public can also attend meetings of the five standing committees within the commission.

Date: 2nd & 4th Tuesday 
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: 178 Sams Street, Decatur, Georgia 30030

Press releases and current events are posted on DeKalb County's website DeKalb News. All regular Board meetings, held on every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, are broadcast live on Channel 23 and live broadcasting of Committee hearings can be viewed on DCTV.  The meetings are also re-broadcast on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:00 pm, Wednesday at 9:00 am, and Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am.

Amended Approved 2026 Calendar Meeting Dates

The purpose of public comment is to allow the public to voice county-related requests, concerns or opinions during the Commission meeting. Speakers will only have the opportunity for one public comment per meeting.

Each speaker must complete a speaker card and present it to the clerk before the beginning of the public comment portion of the meeting. Cards turned in to the clerk from the time the general meeting is convened (generally 9 A.M.) and by the beginning of public comment portion generally following presentations on the agenda. The clerk will accept cards on a first-come, first-served basis. Prior to the clerk’s call for public comment, speakers who are residents of DeKalb County shall be allowed to speak before residents of other counties are allowed to speak. Once the public comment portion of the meeting begins, speaker cards will no longer be accepted.

Speakers will be allowed to speak for three minutes each and public comment shall not exceed 30 minutes in length. When the buzzer sounds to indicate that time has run out, the speaker will be expected to immediately cease speaking and to yield the podium. Those who submitted speaker cards but did not speak because of the time allotment will be allowed to speak first at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting without regard to residence. Speakers should always talk directly into the microphone and begin by stating their name, full address and the name of any organization they represent. Abusive, profane or derogatory language, holding up signs, clapping, yelling, standing or laying in the aisles to show support for or opposition to a speaker will not be permitted, but a show of hands or quietly standing in place will be permitted to show support for or opposition to a speaker's position.

Watch Live: Channel 23 or DCTV
Meetings rebroadcasted: Channel 23 or DCTV (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM)
 

View Meeting Calendar & Agendas