Press Releases

DeKalb County is making recreation centers and libraries throughout the county available as cooling centers Thursday due to a heat advisory. As defined by the National Weather Service's Peachtree City Forecast Office, a heat advisory is issued when “feels like” temperatures are expected to reach or be greater than 103 degrees, or when the actual air temperature is expected to be at 105 degrees or greater.

Today, Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson begins ride-a-longs with Code Compliance officers while visiting 248 gas and service stations in unincorporated DeKalb County to ensure compliance with the approved Video Surveillance Ordinance, which requires gas and convenience stores and high-risk businesses to own and operate a video surveillance system. “With the ongoing violence and crime DeKalb County is experiencing, particularly at gas and service stations, the approval of this ordinance couldn’t be more dire,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson.

On July 11, DeKalb’s  Board of Commissioners passed a  Non-Discrimination Ordinance, strengthening protections for  vulnerable residents in unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance, along with a proclamation by DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as Pride Month and the ceremonial raising of the Pride Flag, demonstrates the county’s support for its LGBTQIA+ citizens.

Efforts to reduce sewer spills throughout DeKalb County will recommence with the Sowell Estates Sewer Replacement Project. The project is one of the initial 103 areas listed on the modified consent decree priority fix list targeting repeat spill areas. The line repair project is expected to last approximately eight months (July 2023 to February 2024), barring any weather delays.

Today, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the county’s Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit for 2023 will provide $147 million property in tax relief for homeowners who qualify for a homestead exemption. The EHOST has generated more than $591 million in tax relief for DeKalb property owners since 2018.