Board discusses extending payback, state 10% interest, and limited grant options

DeKalb County representatives told the hearing they are considering two principal ways to reduce immediate landowner payments: a county contribution to the reconstruction cost and an extension of the payback term. A county representative said extending payments from the regular five years toward 10 or 20 years would lower annual payments but flagged a state‑mandated 10% interest rate as a constraint. "The problem is that the state mandates a 10% interest rate, and I've contacted our state legislatures more than once asking that the state legislature change that," the representative said.