[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6544889,"mediaKeyId","3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736","parentId",3409803,"title","Board approves urban redevelopment designation for 4380 Memorial Drive and authorizes short-term financing; PNC chosen as TAN lender","audioSeconds",640,"startMs",6867000,"endMs",7507000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736&start=6867&end=7507","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736/thumbnail_6867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544889/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Board-approves-urban-redevelopment-designation-for-4380-Memorial-Drive-and-authorizes-short-term-financing-PNC-chosen-as-TAN-lender","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544889-54d95f7c64a7bd3292d17e7b0f1b87ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105226&Signature=maGedlZCGKxI2MxWetAk9Pss4oenwocruLnZAgV5fDUPjL6cRdJ1F2NLYWQJm1DRQ6JHZ1Y1gwrQrKJEsp0a3oHlsNAQh9-1VtMewI0AULpq1gqUP~2PNbq34GwzsQSUFJXNXQ33jVdp-mWL61Ob4OjjiFHSYUlOeaCJxUNdIX7lFqIy-3qVkqGjo81ESMwbhC7EPVRsPMsLKF8PD3eCaqaYxE66Nyc7qeAvEpyOkgEv~zvQNFCQx5pEMP-AdKdPbVbxlZDogwreyDds3seU4lyFWL4DBLd6LRdFOVXB87rUzfaeyfzoxdrE-v6H9ouMCTR5OLWnk8BYi6gY~1xXCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeKalb County","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday designated the parcel at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur as an urban redevelopment area and adopted an urban redevelopment plan that authorizes the county to acquire the property. Commissioners also authorized short-term tax anticipation notes (TANs) to fund county capital and water/sewer cash needs, and awarded the TANs to PNC Bank after a public request-for-proposal process.

Tom Lott, outside counsel to the county, described the two-step request as \"two preliminary items\" needed before seeking Urban Redevelopment Agency authority to issue revenue bonds for acquisition. \"The first resolution .. to designate the area as an urban redevelopment area,\" he said, and the second is an urban redevelopment plan that, at this stage, contemplates acquiring the property and leaves future redevelopment options to the board.

Commissioners voted to approve the URA designation and the redevelopment plan during a special called session. The board then approved issuance of tax anticipation notes to obtain temporary loans for county cash flow needs; county financial advisors and PFM presented the results of a bidding process. The advisers said the county issued an RFP to multiple banks and received bids from six institutions. PNC Bank submitted the winning bids and staff recommended awarding both the general-government TAN and the water/sewer TAN to PNC.

PFM reported the TANs will mature in two tranches: the water/sewer TAN will mature Sept. 1, 2025, to be repaid after issuance of water/sewer bonds, and the general-government TAN will mature Dec. 16, 2025. PFM said the stated interest rates submitted were in the mid-3% range and that the all-in cost, including issuance expenses, produced an accepted all-in TIC. The record shows one commissioner recused from the TAN vote; Commissioner Robert Patrick disclosed a banking relationship with PNC and recused from the vote on at least one TAN.

Why it matters: Acquiring 4380 Memorial Drive, which houses county offices including the tax commissioner and elections functions, would allow the county to control a strategically located property and stop paying external rent. The TANs provide temporary liquidity to fund current capital and cash requirements while longer-term bond financing is prepared.

The board approved the URA designation and redevelopment plan for 4380 Memorial Drive and authorized the TANs with the reported bid awards; county staff said the Urban Redevelopment Agency will return next week to finalize the revenue-bond financing for the purchase.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeKalb County - Board of Commissioners - Committee of the Whole - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Commissioners designated 4380 Memorial Drive as an urban redevelopment area and approved an urban-redevelopment plan to acquire the property; the board also authorized tax anticipation notes to provide short-term financing and accepted PNC Bank's bid for the TANs subject to conditions and recusal.","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},6544893,"DeKalb CEO: water billing disputes now low; county names Urban League as consumer advocate and outlines payment, outreach policies",1136,5147000,6283000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736&start=5147&end=6283","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736/thumbnail_5147000.jpg","/articles/6544893/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-CEO-water-billing-disputes-now-low-county-names-Urban-League-as-consumer-advocate-and-outlines-payment-outreach-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544893-7c5286d1f5d0a17140a40003799400dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105226&Signature=BUNHqDC1aMZfd6EqGp2Pn0tAHzLVfFio~u1fQT3-Lne5vLnHZ85tbETrlZs361xWWHozSzcCGwxvJw8zIw3TYFDLf1dYWqB3CQ5-V7pNcwJ1H~49u~O7Yurnx7JtvXBi82-teebB3c4OydDPlV7qrc1DXTJYbuiD0d267TIqm3dfBzuOA79394G5iAV-kitLMAm3TepTy2BdyiSi1TvowObIsLUtrxH5SjP0gZmJByDWDxR0jjfOLhNyIhBPP6hdwhshToVx2~YDGGkpQqcrM5ASXoNpyc2~W3BsWgAcIsOmiMaY9rAZq-6c30XYPdkrO1TI~qVkBBbrVtJJC7fFZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DeKalb County officials told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday they have sharply reduced the number of active water billing disputes from a peak measured in prior years and that the county will work with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to operate consumer advocacy and income-based assistance tied to the county's water affordability resolution.

Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran Johnson and watershed staff said the volume of active disputes is now in the double digits. Cochran Johnson said DeKalb had 233 disconnections by April last year; in 2025 year-to-date there have been 89 disconnections and, at the time of the briefing, 82 open disputes. The county presented an outstanding balance to the utility of $104,719,076.56, with residential owners responsible for about $45,086,390.70, residential tenants $22,150,010.29, condominiums $25,489,316.01 and apartment communities $11,993,359.56.

\"I want to assure you that mass disconnections are not taking place,\" Cochran Johnson said. She said the county has replaced more than 104,000 meters and deployed \"smart technology\" for more accurate billing and near-real-time usage data.

Cochran Johnson announced the selection of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta as the county's consumer advocate. She said the Urban League will assist in structuring the county's income-sensitivity rate program and in helping ratepayers enroll; the county said it plans to automatically qualify SNAP and Medicaid recipients for the sensitivity program and to use HUD guidelines for other households showing need. Cochran Johnson said the county will require documentation for sensitivity plan participation and that the Urban League will verify eligibility.

Watershed staff described the county's current collection approach: the county focuses on accounts with outstanding balances of $3,000 or more with no contact for 30 days; staff proactively call, mail and email accounts with long delinquency; a 10-day disconnection notice is mailed after 30 days of no response; and a disconnect for nonpayment or for water waste may follow if there is no response. Watershed staff said the department now encourages customers to call and set up payment plans before disruption of service; automated outbound reminders and an updated dispute portal with a QR code were also cited.

Staff said they are offering installment plans, typically asking for a 10% downpayment as a baseline, with flexibility for hardship; the county said payment plans can extend up to seven years in accordance with a prior resolution. Watershed director and customer-service staff asked commissioners to refer constituents directly to the customer service team rather than publicly demanding immediate shutoff reversals.

Commissioners pressed staff on detail and transparency. Commissioner Robert Patrick asked for regular debriefs so commissioners can better help constituents; staff agreed to provide materials and allow commissioners to sit in on consumer consultations with the recorded consent of the caller. Commissioner Terry pressed for clarity about how many of the roughly 11,000 delinquent accounts are in line for shutoff and how many are already on payment plans; staff said they could provide more detail drawn from the aging report and reported that $28 million of delinquent balances were currently in installment plans but many such plans have historically defaulted. Commissioner Shakira Johnson and others supported the Urban League selection and asked for quarterly follow-ups.

Why it matters: The briefing aimed to balance debt collection and affordability protections as DeKalb implements a rate increase and a county resolution requiring an affordability program by Jan. 1, 2026. Commissioners and staff agreed on continued outreach, recorded consultations and a public-facing dispute portal and toolkit to help residents navigate payment options.

County officials said they will bring a draft contract with the Urban League and the final structure of the income-sensitivity program back to the board for review.","DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson and utility staff briefed the Board on water billing, saying disputes fell to the double digits, naming the Urban League of Greater Atlanta as a consumer advocate to help design income-sensitive plans and outlining collection and payment-plan practices.",{"_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},6544898,"County attorney outlines overhaul of appointments records and process after audit finds 50+ inconsistent boards",766,2898000,3664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736&start=2898&end=3664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736/thumbnail_2898000.jpg","/articles/6544898/DeKalb-County/Georgia/County-attorney-outlines-overhaul-of-appointments-records-and-process-after-audit-finds-50-inconsistent-boards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544898-bf0806120c5a404d4db35a9421dcef35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105226&Signature=nU3drInHog3yz57U3yoBZNWRVu20fC-ju56ucEAaIdbh~FXlComUnxJabKEpFBgf-HLSpCnm7m-YBL0NRhsbPqQHz9L1qT3c48YdQnr2ycgfuEAkESVscmS9-pwd9ZQW9R0vpizvwoCVoiahme0P4je05TIUSOWKUS7HNo30A4qwxukCaxzRKhJtcJlZdY0OBGfTSG5dzWn3s6W77B-LtWphANSjgATLT4iNzIIe5cu4AEkCmxxfx1zjaJcAwYRGc8qk1mAqlLnpbJrKZnvBUyf4rwbPOoN9C~Lj0FNHq~~Yg2o9~00--2v44NmSxBwE0FL7S6-qd7pD538F~QTcuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County law department told commissioners Tuesday it has been rebuilding appointment records and working with central staff and the clerk's office to standardize how boards and commissions are documented and placed on meeting agendas.

Matthew Welch, representing the law department, told the Committee of the Whole that county records were incomplete and inconsistent: some boards had membership lists that the clerk did not possess, other boards maintained lists that did not match county files, and some positions that legally required board confirmation had not been brought to the Board of Commissioners.

\"County records simply weren't always provided to the clerks, and so county records were incomplete,\" Welch said, summarizing the first stages of a corrective program. The stakeholder group hired a consultant, Welch said, but ultimately the clerks and law department brought the work in-house to cross-check membership, terms, appointing authorities and bylaws.

Welch described a time-consuming process: more than 50 boards and commissions exist under various enabling laws, each with distinctive term lengths, methods of appointment and, in some cases, staggered or delegated appointments by outside jurisdictions. As an example, he cited the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority board (MARTA), noting the MARTA statute had been amended multiple times and appointing authorities differed across jurisdictions and over time.

To reduce future errors, Welch said the clerk's office will be the primary point of contact for boards, will collect and maintain membership records and will require appointment agenda items to list the board's purpose, the post number and the name of the incumbent being replaced. The law department said it will review CEO-initiated 13(a) appointments before they go to the agenda and will check qualifications, appointing authority and term limits.

Commissioners pressed for quick access to the resulting records. Commissioner Nicole Messia requested a list of appointing authorities and enabling legislation for boards; Welch said the project would deliver forms and an SOP and that information would be made available so commissioners could see \"when did I last appoint\" and who currently serves. Commissioner Terry asked for the subset of boards for which commissioners must make appointments; Welch said he would provide that list first.

Why it matters: Several county boards handle land use, licensing and bonded authorities; errors in appointment or in board composition can lead to legal challenges and delay projects. Commissioners said they welcomed forms and an outward-facing directory so residents can see current board membership and pending vacancies.

Welch said the work is iterative and will be rolled out in phases, with priority on appointments that appear most frequently on agendas; he also said the law department will flag any boards whose bylaw or enabling authority conflicts with state law and propose corrections.

The law department committed to providing an SOP, forms for frequent appointments and a timeline for completion; commissioners asked for interim lists categorized by appointing authority so they can address outstanding vacancies without waiting for the entire audit to finish.","DeKalb County's law department and clerk's office reported to commissioners on a months-long effort to rebuild appointment records, standardize agenda items and reduce confusion across more than 50 boards and commissions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544904,"Grady tells DeKalb commissioners two neighborhood clinics are under construction; third site to be chosen after data review",699,873000,1572000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736&start=873&end=1572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409803-3ffe2d20d8c56d5e07aa128b0736b736/thumbnail_873000.jpg","/articles/6544904/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Grady-tells-DeKalb-commissioners-two-neighborhood-clinics-are-under-construction-third-site-to-be-chosen-after-data-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544904-42f6bbf1161ad9e30d10bfdc5c1e1e0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105226&Signature=c-Opp0pDTxU0ROkAixADnGNa3~0TNY0mdqOdF09j2HdyppfOgrs5lu3yT~cAdEu6grxa4FT92UdMvfTJHDbYmDWoyuiFhw-TybU9MmJDQoFoUNtQwWlgAt7l~KPKhb6o3vvDDy-EMS~K-ZhI9P71eCwZMa4ZSAQcid6GPdO4lsNircRQ051IIXO4Ga3CC0H-7ukLLm9zU7l1gFuY80kjR6OXV8ZnwneRJTpVStko1pVGJIeCT02cMiZwCvE5TwWGyBmwGADPZ1VGSc5wq1HEajBZKAWKh7aTRBOOoNbp4ki83fugoyceyUaEj6LCBncLAh4vQ86q5TTW9yU6g6DXDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grady Memorial Hospital outlined plans Tuesday for two new neighborhood health clinics in DeKalb County and said a third site will be selected after further data review and coordination with county officials.

Ryan Logue, Grady's chief health policy officer, told the full Board of Commissioners that the county and Fulton County are party to a four-party operating agreement signed in December 2023 that funded the hospital's obligations, including building three new clinics in DeKalb.

Logue said the county currently provides about $25 million a year to Grady to offset care for uninsured and underinsured DeKalb residents, a figure adjusted annually against the medical consumer price index. He said two clinics are now in construction: a Flat Shoals site with 13 exam rooms and imaging (CT, mammography and ultrasound) and a Candler McAfee storefront clinic, also with 13 exam rooms but no on-site imaging. Grady told commissioners the Flat Shoals site's shell and pad work is under way with material completion expected in late summer and full activation targeted for year-end or early next year; the Candler site's interior work is expected to be materially complete in November and to open late this year or early 2026.

\"This was inked in December of 2023,\" Logue said of the operating agreement, and he reiterated Grady's role as a safety-net provider. \"Grady's core tenant is to provide access to health care services for DeKalb and Fulton County residents regardless of their ability to pay.\"

Logue described the planning considerations for the third clinic, saying Grady will use its Community Health Needs Assessment and zip-code level utilization data to guide the final site choice and expects to decide \"sometime this summer.\" He said planned sizes for future clinics range from 6,000 to 8,000 square feet for smaller neighborhood centers to 15,000 to 20,000 square feet for larger sites with imaging; Grady provided a planning cost example of about $22 million for a larger, build-to-suit clinic.

Commissioners pressed Grady on accessibility and community integration. Commissioner Ladina Bolton asked whether proximity to MARTA was part of site selection; Logue said transit access is an important consideration and that Grady has raised the clinics with MARTA as MARTA plans its next-gen bus network. Bolton also asked whether Grady coordinates with nearby providers and public health; Logue said Grady seeks partnerships and gave DeKalb Public Health as an example of an agency with complementary services (for instance, public-health screening programs referring patients to Grady's imaging capacity).

Commissioner Nicole Messia requested the supporting Community Health Needs Assessment and related materials; Logue said Grady will share the 2022 CHNA and expects the 2025 CHNA to be completed in early fall. Commissioners asked about changes from previously-discussed plans at Flat Shoals; Logue said earlier proposals considered an alternative parcel but infrastructure constraints led Grady to the current site and that Grady briefed PECS on the change.

Why it matters: DeKalb's financial commitment to Grady and the location of neighborhood clinics affect access to primary and specialty care across the county. Commissioners said they wanted written briefings, opportunities to tour clinics and clearer coordination with transit and local development plans.

Logue said Grady would return for a deeper presentation at the PECS committee and host commissioners on a site tour. \"We are coming back to do a more in-depth dive at PECS on the tenth,\" he said, and invited commissioners to a June 11 tour of Grady leadership and sites.

Grady's presentation included construction timelines, expected services and a promise to share analysis and memoranda supporting the third-site decision. Commissioners urged Grady to prioritize transit access and to continue coordination with DeKalb Public Health and local developers as the clinics move toward opening.","Grady Memorial Hospital told the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners it is building two neighborhood clinics in DeKalb and is planning a third after further data and community input. Commissioners pressed Grady on transit access, timelines and the county's annual subsidy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves urban redevelopment designation for 4380 Memorial Drive and authorizes short-term financing; PNC chosen as TAN lender

DeKalb CEO: water billing disputes now low; county names Urban League as consumer advocate and outlines payment, outreach policies

County attorney outlines overhaul of appointments records and process after audit finds 50+ inconsistent boards

Grady tells DeKalb commissioners two neighborhood clinics are under construction; third site to be chosen after data review