IRPS committee approves grants, equipment contracts and mutual aid; defers homelessness diversion and tire‑dumping resolutions

DeKalb County's IRPS (Employee Relations and Public Safety) committee on May 20 approved a slate of grants, contract renewals and amendments and a 10-year mutual aid agreement with neighboring Rockdale County, while deferring two resolutions on homelessness diversion and scrap-tire dumping for more staff review.

The committee approved an annual High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grant of $276,156 to assist the county's narcotics unit with overtime and related expenses. The vote to approve item 20251088 passed by voice vote from the committee members present.

The panel also ratified and renewed a vehicle decal contract (contract 1342927) with AKO Signs Inc. for an amount not to exceed $156,554, extending the term through July 31, 2026, and ratifying work done during the first renewal period.

A change order to contract 1295994 with West Chatham Warning Devices Inc. for parts and heavy-duty vehicle wraps and push bumpers to support PIT maneuvers was approved in an amount not to exceed $176,375. DeKalb staff said the equipment will reduce damage to county vehicles during approved pursuit interventions. Commissioners asked for follow-up briefings about the department's policy and criteria for deploying PIT maneuvers.

The committee voted to approve an updated automatic and mutual aid agreement with Rockdale County for fire and rescue services along the eastern border. The agreement, which updates an initial 2019 pact, codifies automatic aid coverage within one mile across the shared boundary and extends the arrangement for another 10 years.

A change order and assignment for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) services and purchases was approved, consenting to the assignment from Municipal Emergency Services Inc. to MES Service Company LLC and increasing the contract by up to $268,000 through March 30, 2026.

Public health staff brought forward continuation funding from the Centers for Disease Control, a grant of $24,780 (processed through the Georgia Department of Public Health) to support overdose surveillance and reporting; the committee approved acceptance of the funds.

Committee members also noted one item was held in committee at the request of the police department for additional review.

Votes at a glance - Item 2025-1194 (minutes): Approved by committee voice vote (committee members present: Commissioners Ladina Bolton, Marita Davis Johnson, Robert Patrick and Ted Terry). - Item 20251088 (HIDTA grant, $276,156): Approved, voice vote (4-0 among members present). - Item 20251002 (vehicle decals, contract 1342927, AKO Signs Inc., up to $156,554): Approved, voice vote. - Item 20251076 (change order for vehicle parts and push bumpers, contract 1295994, West Chatham Warning Devices Inc., up to $176,375): Approved, voice vote. Commissioners requested future briefing on PIT-maneuver policy and usage criteria. - Item 20250959 (automatic/mutual aid agreement with Rockdale County): Approved, voice vote; 10-year extension proposed in the agreement. - Item 20251104 (SCBA change order and assignment to MES Service Company LLC, up to $268,000): Approved, voice vote. - Item 20251153 (CDC overdose surveillance grant, $24,780): Approved, voice vote. - Item 2025107 (unspecified item): Held in committee at the request of the DeKalb Police Department.

Why it matters: The approved grants and contracts fund core public-safety operations'from narcotics investigations to firefighter equipment'and formalize cross-jurisdictional response along DeKalb's border. Deferred items signal the committee wants more operational detail and coordination before moving forward on homelessness diversion and scrap-tire enforcement strategies.

What's next: Staff were asked to return with clarifying materials for several items, including a police briefing on PIT maneuver policy and, for the two deferred resolutions, input from police, homeless outreach teams and other county departments before the committee reconvenes.