The DeKalb County Operations Committee approved several routine procurement actions and opened a broader discussion on standing procedural rules governing committee and board conduct.

Voter-registration contract: Committee heard a request to increase funds and extend the term for the county’s poll-pad/precinct-card contract to cover expanded mailings and printing services used by the Voter Registration & Elections office. Staff said the county communicates with about 600,000 registered voters through precinct mailings and that expenses this year were roughly $240,000 with a projected need of $250,000–$300,000 next year; the request sought authority not to exceed $600,000 and to extend the contract through Dec. 31, 2026. Commissioner (Speaker 3) moved to approve the item; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Antifreeze contract: An item that had been left off the published agenda was presented and ratified: annual antifreeze supply contracts for Public Works and Fleet Management (awarded to McPherson Companies, NAPA Auto Parts, and Taylor Enterprise), including exercising the first renewal option through Sept. 30, 2026, with total not to exceed $70,000. Procurement staff confirmed the scope and need and the committee approved the renewal by voice vote.

Standing procedural rules: Administration presented an updated draft of 21 standing-procedural items incorporating a commissioner’s recommendations. The committee identified 3–4 items with consensus (these will go to consent) and discussed others at length, including whether the chief-of-staff should receive advice only or direction from commissioners, language changing "shall" to "may" for certain night meetings (which county counsel warned would make listed months only suggestions), and the timing and length of Committee of the Whole public comment (discussion ranged from 30 to 60 minutes; the committee tentatively favored 30 minutes for night meetings). Commissioners asked staff to prepare clarified draft language reflecting consensus items and to remove or mark as discussion items those requiring further debate.

Next steps: staff will prepare clarified procedural language and include any consensus items in a consent package for committee consideration.