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DeKalb County budget hearings spotlight looming 911, EMS and public-safety funding gaps
Summary
Commissioners and department heads outlined 2027 budget requests July 16 and warned of growing shortfalls: the state's 911 funding changes and shrinking LIT revenues threaten public-safety operations, while commissioners pressed for conservative use of one-time funds to preserve long-term obligations.
DeKalb County commissioners and department heads met July 16 for the second day of 2027 budget presentations, focusing on mounting fiscal pressure from rising vendor, infrastructure and public-safety costs.
The session ranged from small departmental requests to large, countywide funding questions. Commissioner James Miller told the council the commissioners had not taken a pay increase and emphasized conservative budgeting to protect bond payments and other long-term obligations. "We have to protect those LIT funds to make sure those bond payments are made," Miller said during his presentation and discussion of the commissioners' proposed items.
Why it matters: County leaders said some previously expected revenue sources are uncertain or shrinking, and several agencies warned that core public-safety functions could face higher costs. Brian (central communications) and others said the county is preparing for greater expenses tied to CAD/RMS and the eventual loss of some state-funded public-safety surcharges. Brian outlined a contract for managed Spillman servers and warned that the county now pays roughly $1.7 million a year for central communications operations that will need funding after state support phases out.
Departments flagged several recurring pressures. IT projected a software-maintenance increase to $425,000 to cover vendor increases and uncertain state contract renewals. The sheriff's office reported higher medical and food-service contracts for the jail. Several department heads asked the council to consider modest salary adjustments to retain staff and avoid higher turnover costs.
Commissioner Miller and councilors discussed the county's historical use of LIT (local income tax) and how the scheduled phaseout or reallocation of some LIT streams will require new planning for bond and service payments. Miller said commissioners want to conserve LIT dollars to ensure previously committed bond payments for highways, rather than shift those obligations to the council without a plan.
On animal control and the humane-shelter arrangement, Miller told the council the county had paid $50,000 annually to a humane provider in prior years without a contract. After multiple failed contract attempts by the county, the commissioners suspended payments until an accountable contract can be executed.
Most presenters emphasized incremental steps to curb spending: small line-item reductions, vendor changes (the treasurer's office plans to switch to a lower-fee online payment vendor on Sept. 1), and targeted reallocation of one-time balances. But several officials warned the council that larger structural choices will be necessary if major revenue streams shift, and that the council should be prepared to consider options such as local tax measures or reassigning expenditures if state-level funding changes hold.
The council set a future agenda item to discuss wheel-tax options and other dedicated funding mechanisms for roads and related infrastructure. The meeting adjourned after a voice vote by the council.
