County Mayor Matt Adcock said he will be proposing a new committee to address the future needs of the county to be better prepared for future projects.

In a statement, Adcock said, “In the March County Commission meeting, I will be proposing a new County Commission Committee. This committee will be called the Committee of Forethought and Preparation. I will ask that this committee be added to the policy and procedures of the County Commission and be a regular standing committee of our elected body.”

“For too long DeKalb County's negligence of planning has taken a toll on the community. DeKalb County has always been known for ‘kicking the can down the road.’ We have also been known to only be reactive instead of proactive. Every time a major issue arises, we make hasty decisions to band aid our problems instead of making permanent long-lasting results.”

“DeKalb County has made no future plans for a jail, schools, or any other long-term project that this community must have. We have identified this problem in the past but only have discussion without action. Today, we change those bad habits and develop a committee that holds accountability and prepares the community for tomorrow and the generations after.”

“The truth is visible, we need a new school and a new jail. Honestly, there are many projects throughout the county that need consideration and a plan to make action on. The funding is constricted which makes it evident why this committee is so vitally important.”

“I can anticipate that DeKalb County will have growing pains with hardships that have burdened us from previous elected bodies and administrations, however, I foresee that these challenges will be conquered. That all the decisions made of today will prosper the future and the planning of today will bring clarity for tomorrow and every day after.”

Adcock said that he wants the committee to be composed of seven members, three that must be members of the budget committee. The members and officers of this committee will be appointed by the County Mayor and confirmed by the legislative body in September, and will have one-year terms just as all the other standing committees.

The committee will possess a chairperson, and vice chairperson, and a secretary.  The committee's aim would be to plan for the county's larger projects whether an issue of expenditure or revenue. They should consider the recommendations of any elected or appointed official of DeKalb County, including the school system and highway department that could have business with this committee.

The committee should develop future planning for DeKalb County's capital improvement plan. These plans could be for any number of years that seem reasonable to the committee. For example: 5-year plan, 10-year plan, 15-year plan, 20-year plan, 30 plan, etc.

The projects could be of any capital improvement. For example: Public Safety Buildings, Schools, Jails, Courts, Community or Sport Complexes, County Maintenance Shops, Fueling Stations, etc. The committee should meet at least bi-annually if not more often to discuss and consider the forethought and preparation of the future success of DeKalb County. The committee will develop recommendations and present them to the full committee of the County Commission and/or budget committee to recommend the allocation of funding necessary for the fruition of the projects. This committee shall be perpetual and place emphasis on the importance of making measurable progress and holding self-accountability.