DeKalb County BOC approves CEO’s $4.27 billion infrastructure plan, largest capital investment in county history

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County made history on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Less than 60 days into her administration, CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson secured the Board of Commissioner approval for a $4.27 billion infrastructure investment, the largest in DeKalb’s history. 

The initiative, centers on a “10 x 10” (10 percent annual increases over 10 years) water and sewer rate adjustments that will reverse decades of underfunding, strengthen economic development, and elevate DeKalb County from an “F” to a “C” in our water distribution infrastructure performance, the county stated in a news release.

“The future of DeKalb County depends on adequate infrastructure investments, and today, the Board of Commissioners approved the largest commitment in our history to ensure clean, reliable water and sewer services for generations to come,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. 

“No one likes rate increases, but the cost of inaction is far greater. Our economic future, our ability to attract businesses, and the well-being of every resident depend on these upgrades.We cannot afford to kick the can down the road any longer. This is our moment to secure a better future for DeKalb County. I am prepared to make the tough decisions necessary to protect our residents, create economic opportunities, and ensure we leave a legacy of strong infrastructure for the next generation.” 

Highlights of the $4.27 billion investment 

The “10 x 10” plan includes  a 10% annual rate increase  over the next 10 years, generating  the financial stability needed to fund essential repairs, upgrade critical infrastructure, and ensure compliance with state and federal environmental mandates.

This investment will:

✔ Ensure Reliable Water Access: Upgrading and expanding the county’s single water source and treatment plant, which has not seen major improvements in over 15 years.
✔ Enhance Economic Development: Creating the infrastructure capacity needed to attract businesses, protect property values, and support job growth—over 6,400 new jobs are expected from this initiative alone.
✔ Prevent System Failures: DeKalb’s water system is at risk of catastrophic failures, with over 40% of the system aging beyond 70 years by 2030. Without action, residents and businesses face increased outages, contamination risks, and emergency repair costs.
✔ Meet Compliance Standards: Addressing regulatory mandates under the Modified Consent Decree (MCD) to avoid costly penalties and improve water quality.

Reggie Wells, newly appointed Director of Watershed Management

As Dekalb begins unprecedented infrastructure enhancements, CEO Cochran-Johnson announced Reggie Wells, as the newly appointed Director of Watershed Management, to lead these critical infrastructure efforts. Wells was instrumental in managing the critical years of the Consent Decree in the City of Atlanta under Mayor Shirley Franklin and played a pivotal role in helping DeKalb achieve its Consent Decree Modification. Wells returns to Dekalb after serving three years in the City of Atlanta as the Assistant Commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. His deep expertise in large-scale infrastructure management and regulatory compliance will be crucial as DeKalb embarks on this historic investment.

For more information, visit 2024 – 2025 – Capital Improvement Program (CIP) | DeKalb County GA.