After heated debate, DeKalb County council approves reduced Sunny Meadows stipends for four employees

DeKalb County Council members debated an ordinance on Dec. 10 proposing $6,000 exit stipends for four employees who remained to assist as Sunny Meadows closed. The ordinance text named Tyler Boyd, Robin Burkhart, Ashley Wilkerson and Michelle Smith as the recipients.

Council members and HR staff raised equity concerns and cited typical private‑sector severance practices. A first amendment to reduce the amounts to $1,500 for full‑time and $750 for part‑time employees failed. After further discussion, Councilor Bill Van Wy proposed and the council adopted an amendment to set stipends at $2,000 for full‑time employees and $1,000 for part‑time employees. The amended ordinance was then approved on second and third reading.

What council members said: One council member said HR had described private‑sector practice as one week’s pay per year of service; another councilor said they had received calls from other government employees who viewed $6,000 as excessive. The council also noted the commissioners’ prior informal consensus and a retraction by Commissioner Hartman at a recent commissioners’ meeting; staff clarified that the council—because it funds the payment—had the final approval authority.

Why it matters: The stipends recognize employees who remained through the facility transition while attempting to balance public perception and parity with other county compensation programs. The final approved amounts reduce the initial proposal substantially and reflect the council’s attempt to strike a compromise between employee appreciation and public equity concerns.

What’s next: Staff will implement the ordinance as amended and include the stipend payments on the employees’ final checks when they are officially relieved of duties.