Chamblee DDA adopts 2025 budget, authorizes property repairs and enters executive session on real estate

The Chamblee Downtown Development Authority on Jan. 28 adopted its 2025 budget, approved several property maintenance actions and administrative reports, and voted to enter an executive session to discuss real estate.

The authority approved the 2025 budget as presented and voted, by voice, to authorize repairs to a damaged fence at the Vintage Pizza property and to purchase additional bollards at the city center lot for an amount not to exceed $500. The board also approved the SLX annual report and then moved into an executive session to discuss matters of real estate.

At the start of the meeting staff reported on recent financial activity: the authority made its principal payment due Dec. 1 of $667,000, and staff reported a remaining debt balance of about $3,582,000 “and change.” A staff speaker said the authority had “about $3.70” in cash (the transcript did not specify units). Staff also said they had transferred the authority’s 2025 interest payments into the debt service account but had not yet transferred the 2025 principal payment because funds for that transfer had not cleared.

On anticipated revenue and budget items, staff said the authority is budgeting roughly $124,000 in Lumen payments for the coming year, with those payments expected in October. The authority budgeted $457,000 for the DSLX administrative payment and budgeted $32,000 for track-side payments, though staff said track-side costs may be closer to $34,000.

Board members discussed how to handle potential remaining abatement balances for properties whose abatements are ending, particularly Whole Foods ownership structures that staff said are “a little less regular.” Members asked staff to consider notifying property owners midyear when tax assessments are released to avoid surprising owners with large year-end bills.

Regarding property maintenance, staff reported that an off-road vehicle incident during recent ice and snow damaged a portion of the fence at the Vintage Pizza property. The authority authorized the chair to approve repairs; board members said if repair costs exceed $1,000 the authority would revisit the item. The board also approved purchasing one or two permanent bollards at the city center property, with authorization for the chair to approve up to $500 for the purchase and installation.

The board voted to approve the SLX annual report as presented. Following public comment, the authority voted to enter an executive session to discuss real estate matters. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance - Approve regular meeting minutes (Dec. 17, 2024): approved by voice vote. - Approve executive session minutes (Dec. 17, 2024): approved by voice vote. - Approve 2025 budget as presented: approved by voice vote. - Authorize chair to approve Vintage Pizza fence repairs as necessary (will return if repairs exceed $1,000): approved by voice vote. - Authorize chair to approve additional city center bollards, amount not to exceed $500: approved by voice vote. - Approve SLX annual report as presented: approved by voice vote. - Enter executive session to discuss real estate: approved by voice vote. - Adjourn: approved by voice vote.