DeKalb committee approves expedited jail assessment; approves several contracts and grants

The DeKalb County Finance, Administration and Budget Committee approved a contract to secure an expedited facility condition and security risk assessment for the county jail and cleared several related contracting and grant items during a virtual meeting.

Zach Williams, DeKalb County chief operating officer, said the contract—awarded to Comprehensive Program Services in an amount not to exceed $599,927.20—will produce an updated facility condition assessment and security risk review to help the county prioritize repairs and plan a multi‑year funding strategy. “The resulting assessment will assist the County in identifying security risks, potential threats to public safety, and planning for upgrade prioritization, renovations, and system replacement needs,” Williams said.

The item uses funds set aside in SPLOST 2 and could inform capital investments needed for life, safety and security improvements. Commissioners discussed using the remaining SPLOST allocation and general fund options for larger capital needs; Williams characterized the immediate contract as a midterm measure intended to extend useful life while a longer‑term solution—acquiring or building a new facility—is considered.

Other items approved by unanimous voice vote included:

- A change order extending banking and financial services through Dec. 31, 2026, with Wells Fargo (change order amount not to exceed $184,000) while staff and the county’s financial advisors prepare an RFP for banking services.

- A change order extending retail image lockbox services with Deluxe Corporation d/b/a Remitco LLC, not to exceed $96,200, to continue processing mailed payments (staff said the volume includes water bill payments).

- A six‑month extension of the county’s financial advisory contract with Public Financial Management (PFM) through June 30, 2026, to avoid a gap while a new RFP is completed; PFM will assist with banking RFP analysis.

- Two superior court grants: $33,432 from the Justice Coordinating Council to supplement transportation for adult felony drug court participants (with a $5,900 local match) and $40,448 in Judicial Council ARPA funds (no match required).

- A one‑year lease renewal for the Tax Commissioner's South DeKalb office at the Gallery at South Dekalb.

During discussion commissioners and staff flagged operational priorities the assessment should address—roofing, elevators, HVAC, security blind spots and evidence storage—and asked for a prioritized list of life, safety and security fixes. County staff said roughly $1 million had originally been set aside in SPLOST 2 for jail evaluation and that the board recently approved approximately $6 million for immediate repairs such as roofing and locks.

The committee moved the facility assessment contract and the other items by voice vote and the motions carried. The FAB committee closed the meeting and scheduled remaining agenda items for its next session.