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DeKalb committee approves FY2025 amendment to fund critical jail repairs
Summary
The Finance, Audit and Budget Committee approved a FY2025 operating budget amendment to appropriate general-fund money for urgent repairs at the DeKalb County Jail, including roof sealing, elevator work, selected lock replacements, replacement of roughly 1,500 toilet/sink units with metal fixtures, and upgraded cell lighting.
The DeKalb County Finance, Audit and Budget Committee voted to amend the FY2025 operating budget to fund immediate repairs at the county jail, the committee chair announced after a presentation by county staff.
County staff said the package is intended as an initial investment in a multi-year capital strategy to address structural and safety deficiencies. The measures include sealing three roofs to stop leaks, elevator repairs for safety and reliability, replacement of certain aging locks, removal and repair of unsafe wood in the mental-health housing area, replacement of about 1,500 combined toilet-and-sink units with metal fixtures, and replacement of 197 cell light fixtures.
The presenter said those items were prioritized after conversations with the sheriff and her team and described the proposal as a ‘‘down payment’’ on a broader capital plan. Commissioners asked for details on vendor mixes and timelines; a commissioner asked what percentage of locks are the older Folger Adams type, and staff said they would provide an answer by the end of the meeting. The presenter said full lock replacement will be phased over a number of years and that the funding for the current request would come from the general fund.
Commissioners also discussed operational impacts: the metal toilets provide more secure fixtures after officials said porous porcelain toilets have been broken and used as weapons. Committee members said the funding will give the sheriff flexibility to move inmates into cells with metal fixtures as work is completed.
After discussion, a committee member moved to approve the amendment and a second was recorded; the chair called the vote and the motion carried.
The committee did not provide a detailed line-item breakdown in the public remarks; staff committed to circulating additional procurement and timeline details to commissioners and to bring similar requests in coming fiscal years as part of a staged capital approach.
