Council approves multiple transfers and TIF allocations including brownfields, hazard mitigation and RDC projects

DeKalb County Council on June 11 approved multiple additions and transfers for county departments, grants and redevelopment projects.

Major items approved included:
- A Brownfield assessment grant appropriation (Fund 8200) for $496,650 to pay professional services for EPA Brownfield assessment work. The council voted to appropriate the requested funds after the county’s liaison confirmed project scope.
- An Emergency Management hazard mitigation payment of $7,803 to cover an outstanding portion of a multi‑hazard mitigation plan update; staff said the cost is paid up front and will be reimbursed by a state grant and that the plan is necessary to preserve FEMA mitigation eligibility.
- A series of county office transfers: Sunny Meadows transfers totaling $65,400 to support contractual staff and consultants through year‑end; a $100,000 transfer within courthouse remodeling accounts to pay furniture and fixture invoices; and smaller transfers, including a $2,958 transfer for ineligible fund office supplies and DocuSign/document delivery fees.

The council also approved several redevelopment commission (RDC) TIF transfers for approved projects. Auditor/Treasurer staff explained three TIF funds would fund portions of public‑safety and municipal projects: equipment and vehicles for Butler Police, a Butler Fire rig, and initial purchases for an Auburn Hazmat facility (including a container/train car component). Council votes approved SDI TIF transfers, American Heritage TIF transfers and New Millennium TIF transfers; specific amounts were presented in the RDC packets and read into the record.

During discussion council members asked about timing of reimbursements, grant approvals, and details on consultant contracts (for example, Sunny Meadows staffing costs and expected contract fees). Staff said most grant awards are reimbursements after invoices are paid and that some consultant costs will be covered in the 2026 budget if extensions are required.

Votes were taken on each appropriation or transfer; the recorder documented multiple unanimous or near‑unanimous voice votes (several items recorded as “carried 5‑0” and one CF‑1 compliance acceptance carried 4‑1).