The Finance, Audit and Budget Committee discussed—but did not act on—two related items regarding utility customer protections and judicial employee benefits.

On the utility protections, the committee considered a resolution asking the administration to implement water and wastewater service shutoff protections and pause payment plans issued by the finance department while the Urban League of Greater Atlanta establishes a DeKalb Customer Advocates Office. Mr. Williams said the Urban League hired and trained staff in early October and the team is ready to accept disputed accounts, but scheduling conflicts prevented the Urban League from presenting today. The committee moved and approved a deferral of item 15‑08 (and a related item 15‑25) to the Dec. 9 Board of Commissioners meeting with an intervening special‑call FAB meeting scheduled to allow further discussion.

On the judges’ benefits item (15‑06), County Attorney Lankus (outside counsel) reported outside counsel is drafting a memo and analysis and expected to provide it before the last meeting of the year. Committee members asked that the legal analysis be made available by the Dec. 9 committee meeting.

The committee set a tentative special call for Nov. 19 to continue budget and item discussion and to ensure the committee has capacity to review the items before Dec. 9.