Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Stations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HERPS committee defers award for three DeKalb fire stations pending audit
Summary
The HERPS committee recommended but did not finalize a $26.6 million contract for three new fire stations; commissioners voted to defer the award for two weeks to allow audit review and additional LSBE (Local Small Business Enterprise) consideration.
The DeKalb County HERPS committee on a voice vote moved to defer action on a recommended contract award for three new fire stations pending completion of audit review.
Chair Commissioner Ladina Bolton introduced item 2026-0532, an RFP (2025-142) for construction work on fire stations 5, 16 and 27. Staff said the recommended award was to Cooper and Company General Constructions Inc., for an amount not to exceed $26,588,000.
The committee heard details about replacement sites. Speakers said Station 5 will move from Lawrenceville Highway to 4329 Cowan Road, Station 16 will relocate to Arthur Queen Drive, and Station 27 is planned for 7558 Pleasant Hill Road to improve coverage in the county's southeast. A community member called earlier to thank commissioners for resurrecting a station in Lethonia.
Commissioner Ted Terry questioned the bid-evaluation breakdown, pointing to low LSBE scoring for the apparent high-scoring proposer. Staff explained the scoring matrix, noting LSBE allocations of 2, 5 or 10 points depending on a proposer’s LSBE commitment and that "GFE stands for good faith effort." Commissioners pressed staff to develop strategies to increase LSBE participation and outreach for future station projects.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to defer item 2026-0532 for two weeks so the award can complete the audit process; the motion was seconded and carried. The committee’s recommendation is for a two-week deferral rather than a final award at this meeting.
Next steps: staff will route the RFP award through audit and return to committee after the two-week deferral. The committee also requested follow-up on LSBE outreach strategies for future procurements.
