DeKalb County commissioners approve five-year background-check policy, plan training and budget adjustment

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on May 27 approved an update to the county employee handbook to require routine criminal and motor-vehicle background checks at a five-year interval for existing employees.

County staff said the change responds to the county insurance carrier’s request that departments renew background checks at five-year anniversaries; Sunny Meadows staff had been checked every three years under an earlier requirement. County staff said departments that already perform post-offer checks will continue those checks and that some departments check more frequently than every five years.

“We criminal background check and motor vehicle check all of our, post offer applicants, candidates,” a staff member said during the meeting. The staff member told commissioners that employees will receive an addendum to the employee handbook, and that each employee will “sign, date, and return the form to us to acknowledge that they have received it.”

The policy change passed on a motion from Andrew (mover) and a second; commissioners voted to approve the update. The motion’s outcome was recorded as carried by the board.

Why it matters: County officials said the change is prompted by insurer policies and will require modest budget adjustments. Staff estimated roughly 47 additional five‑year renewal checks next year at an estimated total cost of $1,645; staff described that number as an estimate and said the cost can rise if employees have lived in other states or changed names. County staff said the current post-offer background-check budget will be preserved and the estimated renewal costs added to next year’s budget.

County staff also reported related workforce and safety items tied to employee preparedness. A CPR and AED training class will be offered June 6 with two sessions, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., limited to 15 participants per session; staff noted a county dispatcher will teach the class. Staff said new AEDs will be installed in county buildings and encouraged employees to attend the training.

The discussion also covered county recognition plaques for years-of-service. Staff said they requested a quote for 22 plaques at $374 and recommended budgeting slightly more (staff suggested $400) to cover potential extra costs. Commissioners discussed rotating presentation duties among themselves and department heads. The board asked to be given notice in advance so presentations can be scheduled around shift work.

Sunny Meadows: The county’s residential facility Sunny Meadows was discussed in the same segment. Staff said turnover at Sunny Meadows previously limited the number of employees reaching a three-year anniversary, but department staffing remains an active concern. Later in the meeting staff reported they are working to fill vacancies, coordinate payroll and complete paperwork needed for residents' Social Security and Medicaid filings; a cleaning crew and move-in plan for a resident named Dale were described as planned for later in the week.

The board directed staff to distribute the handbook addendum once the updated wording is final and to include the estimated background-check expenses in next year’s budget.