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Resident urges overhaul of Redevelopment Commission after TIF dispute; council pauses RDC appointments
Summary
A DeKalb County resident told the council Dec. 11 that Redevelopment Commission actions nearly cost eastern taxing units about $4.5 million and raised conflict-of-interest concerns; the council voted to withhold RDC appointments pending further review and approved the remainder of its appointment slate 6-1.
During public comment at the Dec. 11 DeKalb County Council meeting, resident Jessica Schall urged the council to redistribute voting representation on the county Redevelopment Commission (RDC), arguing that an RDC decision had nearly removed about $4.5 million in TIF revenue from East-side taxing entities and that leadership conflicts required scrutiny.
Schall told the council she reviewed emails and meeting minutes and laid out a timeline in which the RDC president asked about using TIF dollars for a jail and, later, the RDC issued determinations that would have redirected millions of dollars into the RDC fund rather than passing increases through to local taxing units. She asked the council to ensure East-side representation and suggested replacing the RDC president.
Council members debated the allegation and whether the actions were intentional or the result of miscommunication. Several members said they had been contacted by RDC members and that some board members felt misled. Amid the discussion the council amended its motion on appointments to exclude the DeKalb County Redevelopment Commission nominees and one Garrett Economic Development Board nominee, then approved the remaining slate of appointments by a 6-1 vote.
Council action: the council voted to withhold approval of RDC appointees pending further review; other board and liaison appointments moved forward. County staff noted the RDC has multiple TIF districts and that final decisions about TIF usage and passage-throughs involve legal and accounting review.
What happens next: the council will defer RDC appointments to the January meeting and members suggested the commissioners— offices will be asked to propose replacements or provide additional information prior to final votes.
