DeKalb CEO outlines conservative FY2025 budget; DA seeks $617,474 for forensics and cold‑case work

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Cochran Johnson presented a conservative FY2025 proposed budget to the county’s Finance, Audit and Budget (FAB) Committee on Jan. 28, emphasizing measured revenue assumptions, targeted investments in public safety and a series of operational studies.

"It is a starting point," Cochran Johnson said of the budget, urging the committee to be mindful of spending while the county waits for greater federal and digest‑revenue clarity. The CEO said the proposal assumes a 3% increase in the property tax digest, no increase in sales tax revenue, and leaves the government with under one month of general‑fund reserves as of the end of FY2024.

Why it matters: the presentation framed FY2025 as a restrained baseline that preserves current services while funding specific priorities the CEO described as necessary for public safety and long‑term fiscal planning. The administration also asked departments to prepare for midyear amendments if revenues improve.

Key budget proposals and context

- Public safety and technology: Cochran Johnson proposed $2,000,000 for a real‑time crime technology center and said the police budget funds a staggered hiring plan to fill 327 vacant positions. The CEO said the center would add investigative tools used in neighboring cities as the county seeks ways to reduce crime.

- Grant writers: the CEO proposed two grant‑writer positions in the Office of the CEO to pursue state, federal and private funding; she said current grant staff are scattered across departments and a centralized team would pursue new opportunities.

- Hospital and sanitation: the proposed budget increases the county’s hospital fund payment to Grady by $6,000,000 and raises sanitation spending by $13,000,000 to reinstate vehicle replacement charges suspended in FY2024.

- Capital and facilities: the administration reduced capital outlays from operating budgets and…