Category: Government

From Commissioner Jeff Rader
DECATUR – DeKalb County voters can still cast ballots early for the General Primary Runoff Election set for August 10. Early/Advance Voting in person for the General Primary Runoff Election is being held through Friday, August 6 with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur.  No satellite Advance Voting locations are open.

Voters who wish to vote absentee by mail are encouraged to submit their requests now.  Please note on the application that it is for the August 10 General Primary Runoff Election and mark your party preference.  Please remember you must vote in the same party’s runoff as you voted in the Primary.  If you did not vote in the Primary, you may choose either party’s runoff ballot.

For additional information, visit www.dekalbvotes.com or call 404-298-4020.

From Commissioner Jeff Rader, June 2010.

Here are some topics of interest from recent DeKalb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) meetings:

911 Services
Green Energy
Code Red
PDK Airport
South Fork Peachtree Creek Trail

911 Services
Highly publicized events have revealed flaws in DeKalb County's 911 emergency response system.  Based on those events, the system appears to be hampered by improper procedures, inadequate staffing and technical deficiencies.

The county CEO's administration is working to eliminate the flaws.  Among its steps is the creation of a new position, E911 Director, with dedicated purpose of managing the daily operations of the 911 system.

The new position will be manned by a civilian to retain independence from the county's public safety departments -- police, fire, and emergency management.  The position will be fully funded by the emergency telephone fund based on a surcharge that appears on the telephone bill of all county residents.

The emergency telephone fund covers 100 percent of all operating expenditures for the 911 system so all of its performance flaws can not be blamed on the budget.  In fact, the emergency telephone fund finished the last fiscal year with a surplus.  Whether that surplus could have been used for additional training, personnel or equipment upgrade is a matter for hindsight.

As a result, state law compels the county to lower the 911 surcharge to eliminate future surpluses.  Effective July 1, 2010, the monthly surcharge will drop from $1.50 per month to $1.35.

The CEO's administration recognizes the importance of the 911 system in protecting life and property in DeKalb.  A transition report prepared for incoming CEO Burrell Ellis in December 2008 identified the 911 system as an issue to be addressed.

"The Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System in the County's 911 Emergency Center is severely inadequate and is not performing a majority of the basic functions specified by the County in the procurement of the system and needed by the citizens of DeKalb County." (page 70, Transition Report, Dec. 19, 2008)

The Board of Commissioners will monitor the administration's actions to rectify identified flaws in the 911 system.
Read More

From Commissioner Jeff Rader:

Attention DeKalb Users,

Please make necessary changes to stationary and notify all stakeholders of this change prior to June 30, 2010.

Please note that the following verbiage will be added to all emails leaving the County to alert external customers of this email change, “Effective July 1, 2010, the DeKalb County email domain will change from: NAME@co.dekalb.ga.us to our new email domain address: NAME@dekalbcountyga.gov.  Commissioner Rader's email will now be jrader@dekalbcountyga.gov.

We appreciate your consideration, time, and participation as we evolve into a Better DeKalb County. If there are any questions or concerns please contact the IS Help Desk at (404) 371-2363.

Thanks,
DeKalb Information Systems

From Commissioner Jeff Rader:

February 2010

Here are some topics of interest from recent Board of Commissioner meetings:

Audit Committee
Health Care Goals
Public Safety
Speed Zones

Audit Committee
I have been nominated and confirmed by the Board of Commissioners (BOC) to chair its Audit Committee.  This committee, mandated by Section 10 of the DeKalb County Organizational Act, is charged with oversight of the county's annual financial audit. The committee also is empowered to audit the internal operations of county government.  Other members of the committee are Commissioners Elaine Boyer and Lee May.

The financial audit is to ensure that county tax dollars are accurately accounted for and spent consistent with the county budget.  The audit also analyzes financial and operational controls over county spending, and suggests actions to improve these practices.  The internal auditing authority may be used to analyze the overall performance of county operations.  The performance audit, which I discussed in my Oct. 27, 2009 update, is to ensure that county services are delivered in an efficient manner.
Read More

Title: DEKALB COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING
Location: Avis G. Williams Library 1282 McConnell Drive Decatur, GA 30033
Description: From Commissioner Jeff Rader:

DEKALB COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING

The DeKalb County Parks and Recreation department will host a public meeting on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Avis G. Williams Library, 1282 McConnell Drive in Decatur to discuss the development of Mason Mill Park. The general public is invited to attend.

Parks and recreation officials will discuss the construction plans for future development of Mason Mill Park, which is located on McConnell Drive in Decatur.

For more information, contact Revonda Moody, Project Manager, at 404-687-3708.

WHO: DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department

WHAT: Public Meeting to discuss the future development of Mason Mill Park

WHERE:Avis G. Williams Library
1282 McConnell Drive
Decatur, GA 30033

WHEN:Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Start Time: 18:30
Date: 2010-02-02
End Time: 20:00