DeKalb County commission approves land purchase steps and financing framework for new jail

The DeKalb County Commission voted this meeting to move forward on a plan for a new county jail, advancing land purchase steps and a financing framework that commissioners said will allow the project to proceed to design and public bidding.

The commission voted to remove the current jail site from further consideration, approved pursuing purchase of a 72‑acre Smith Road parcel for up to $1.8 million plus closing costs contingent on core‑drilling results, and approved a $3 million capital outlay note to be used for land acquisition and preconstruction tasks. Later in the meeting commissioners approved a separate, not‑to‑exceed $35 million, 12‑year note to cover construction of a jail sized according to the final design and bids.

The jail committee had recommended that the commission remove the existing downtown site from consideration; that motion carried on a roll call, 10–0. Commissioners later approved a motion to pursue the Smith Road parcel contingent on core drilling and the capital outlay note (roll call: nine yes, motion passed). The commission then approved a $3,000,000 capital outlay note (nine yes on roll call) and approved a separate up-to-$35,000,000 12‑year note for construction (vote recorded as eight yes, motion passed). The Smith Road purchase motion specified a cap of $1.8 million plus county payment of closing costs and required core‑drilling that would validate buildability.

Commission discussion emphasized that final building costs will be determined through public bids and said the county will not begin construction until a formal bidding process is completed. Commissioner comments noted the county already has an architect under a prior selection; commissioners said the capital outlay note could cover entering into more detailed architect work and design contracts so final bid documents can be produced.

Public comment at the meeting was heavily focused on the jail decision. Paul Miranda (resident, District 4) told commissioners he believes some elected officials would "ramrod this jail project through regardless of the public or voter sentiment." Local business owners and residents offered divergent views: Randy Caldwell (building and business owner) told the commission he supported locating the jail on green space to free downtown parcels for redevelopment, while Barbara Borlick (resident/business owner) said a jail on the courthouse square would run counter to the town's vision and cited proximity to a children's playground as a concern. Erin Fennell (resident and business owner) said she "strongly support[s] relocating the Jail Office Square" to support downtown revitalization.

Several commissioners urged an open, competitive procurement process. One commissioner noted that estimates from contractors give a broad range of likely construction costs and that the final price will come from the public bidding process and detailed architect plans. Commissioners also discussed two other parcels that had been mentioned in committee (a Robinson Road site of about 40 acres offered at about $1.3 million) and said differences in site preparation and utility extension would affect total project costs.

A separate motion to solicit public RFPs for available parcels with a minimum 15 acres failed on a roll call vote, after several commissioners said multiple potential properties had already been discussed in committee meetings.

What the votes mean: the commission has authorized steps to secure a site (Smith Road), pay for necessary preconstruction tasks and site testing using $3 million already held in debt service funds via a capital outlay note, and to pursue construction financing up to $35 million subject to final design and bids. Commissioners repeatedly said the project would be publicly bid and audited through the state comptroller process.

Next steps identified at the meeting included completing core drilling on the Smith Road parcel, finalizing purchase terms if test results are acceptable, continuing contract discussions with the county's chosen architect to produce bid-ready documents, and moving the matter through budget and purchasing procedures before any construction contract award.

Votes at a glance - Motion removing the existing jail site from consideration: passed (roll call recorded 10 yes; motion passed). Referenced by: jail committee recommendation. - Motion to pursue purchase of Smith Road parcel, contingent on core drilling and capital outlay note, not to exceed $1,800,000 plus closing costs: passed (roll call recorded nine yes). - Motion to approve a $3,000,000 capital outlay note (12 years) to fund land purchase and preconstruction tasks: passed (roll call recorded nine yes). - Motion to approve an up-to-$35,000,000, 12‑year note for construction of a jail (seek bids for what $35 million will build): passed (roll call recorded eight yes).

Commissioners and public participants repeatedly said final scope and price will be fixed by architect drawings and a public bidding process; no construction contracts were awarded at this meeting.