Truth Seekers Journal

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Elects New Leadership as Data Center Debate Intensifies

DeKalb County commissioners elect Chakira Johnson as Presiding Officer and LaDena Bolton as Deputy while deferring a key data center zoning vote until July.

By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | January 14, 2026

DeKalb County entered 2026 with a shift in political leadership and a community still wrestling with one of the most consequential land‑use debates in its history. On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners elected new officers while also voting to delay action on proposed data center zoning rules, a pause that reflects both rising public pressure and the county’s struggle to balance economic opportunity with environmental and neighborhood protections.

The meeting drew a packed room of residents from South and East DeKalb, many of whom have spent months demanding transparency, clearer communication, and stronger safeguards as data center proposals continue to surface across the county.

A New Leadership Team for a Critical Moment

Courtesy photo Chakira-Johnson-Presiding-Officer

Commissioners unanimously selected Chakira Johnson (District 4) as Presiding Officer and elected LaDena “Dr. B” Bolton (Super District 7) as Deputy Presiding Officer, a pairing that blends deep engineering expertise with community‑rooted advocacy.

Chakira Johnson: Engineering Mindset Meets Procedural Power

Johnson brings more than two decades of experience in civil engineering, municipal operations, and public infrastructure management. A Georgia Tech graduate with a master’s degree in international relations from Troy University, she is a licensed professional engineer in three states and was named one of Engineering Georgia’s 50 Notable Women in 2022.

Her résumé is matched by her long-standing service in DeKalb: nearly 30 years as a resident and 16 years on the Stone Mountain City Council, including three terms as Mayor Pro Tem. She has been a consistent advocate for STEM education and youth engagement.

As Presiding Officer, Johnson will guide the Board’s procedural direction running meetings, appointing committee chairs, and shaping how and when major issues come to the floor. She emphasized a leadership style grounded in professionalism and public trust.

“I am committed to leading with efficiency, integrity, and respect,” Johnson said. “This Board serves the people of DeKalb County.”

LaDena Bolton: A Community Voice With Scientific Rigor

Bolton, known affectionately as “Dr. B,” enters the Deputy Presiding Officer role during her first year on the commission. A graduate of Avondale High School, she credits her December 2024 election to long-standing community relationships and grassroots service.

Courtesy photo LaDena-Bolton-Deputy-Presiding-Officer

Her professional background includes a Ph.D. in chemistry from Clark Atlanta University, a bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University, and a career as an analytical forensic chemist working in national security, energy sustainability, and health equity.

Bolton’s early initiatives reflect her community-first approach:

March Into a Cleaner Tomorrow, a countywide cleanup effort that mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers and removed roughly five tons of litter in three months.
Youth Aviation Program, the county’s first, offering underserved students hands-on aviation training at DeKalb‑Peachtree Airport and mentorship toward earning pilot licenses.

Her office uses the bee pollinator as a symbol of collective work and community uplift.

“We’re building legacies from the inside out,” Bolton said. “Families, youth, neighborhoods that’s where the work begins.”

Why These Roles Matter Now

Under the DeKalb County Organizational Act, the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer shape the Board’s internal structure and public-facing process. They control meeting flow, committee leadership, special session calls, and how major issues like data centers move through the system.

With public trust strained and residents demanding clearer communication, the leadership style of Johnson and Bolton will directly influence how the county navigates the months ahead.

Data Centers: A Debate That Has Become a Community Flashpoint

Beyond leadership elections, commissioners voted to delay action on data center zoning changes until July, when the planning commission is expected to present updated recommendations.

The pause comes after months of intense debate, particularly in South and East DeKalb communities that have historically borne the brunt of industrial encroachment, infrastructure strain, and uneven economic development.

Community Concerns

Residents have raised concerns about noise from cooling systems, water usage in a county already facing infrastructure challenges, environmental impact on nearby neighborhoods, proximity to homes and schools, and transparency in how proposals are evaluated.

Many residents say they are not opposed to economic development they simply want development that respects community health, land use, and long-term sustainability.

Economic Stakes

County officials, including CEO Lorraine Cochran‑Johnson, have noted that a single large-scale data center could generate an estimated $27 million annually in tax revenue, driven by the high value of servers and cooling equipment.

Supporters argue that revenue could support long‑delayed water system upgrades, reduce pressure on residential taxpayers, and strengthen the county’s long-term financial position.

They also describe data centers as essential digital infrastructure the unseen backbone of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and modern communications.

Regulation vs. Restriction

Proposals under discussion include 500‑foot buffers from residential areas, strict noise limits, generator restrictions, environmental impact reviews, and community benefit funds. Commissioner Ted Terry has suggested dedicating a portion of data center tax revenue to libraries, youth programs, and neighborhood improvements.

Statewide Scrutiny: Georgia Reconsiders Its Data Center Boom

The local debate mirrors a broader conversation unfolding at the Georgia Capitol.

A report from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government found that data center projects have generated more than 28,000 construction jobs, over 5,000 permanent positions, and billions in economic impact statewide.

Metro Atlanta led the nation in data center expansion last year, surpassing Northern Virginia, according to CBRE.

But the growth comes with a cost: state utility regulators have approved plans to add roughly 10,000 megawatts of new power generation capacity, much of it to meet data center demand.

State Rep. Ruwa Roman has introduced bipartisan legislation proposing a moratorium on new data center construction through 2027.

“This is permanent,” Roman said during recent hearings. “And if we get it wrong, Georgians will deal with the consequences for decades.”

Looking Ahead: Leadership, Trust, and the Path Forward

As DeKalb County moves deeper into 2026, the election of Johnson and Bolton signals a leadership team that blends technical expertise with community‑centered advocacy. Their challenge will be guiding a divided public conversation while ensuring transparency, fairness, and long-term planning.

The July deadline for data center zoning recommendations sets the stage for a pivotal summer one that will test the Board’s ability to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, neighborhood protection, and community trust.

For residents, the question remains: what kind of development will shape DeKalb’s future and who gets to decide?

For Johnson and Bolton, the months ahead will define not only their leadership but the county’s direction for years to come.

Renew DeKalb Town Hall Highlights Growing Opposition to Data Centers

Moratorium, Monitoring, and Modernization: DeKalb’s Careful Approach to Data Centers

DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson’s Infrastructure and Growth Initiatives

Council for Quality Growth: Development Moratorium Extended Through 2025

Atlanta Regional Commission Sets Future Growth Priorities

Water Infrastructure Upgrades Coming to DeKalb County

Residents Push for Smart Growth in DeKalb

Truth Seekers Journal thrives because of readers like you. Join us in sustaining independent voices.

Shadow Ball: Learning More About Negro League History

January 13, 2026

Dear Shadow Ball: I have a question about Negro League stats being entered into the Major League Baseball record book. It is my understanding that in 1969 four pro leagues’ records, in addition to the American and National Leagues, were entered into the record book. Were the Negro Leagues considered at that time by the committee and rejected, or were they completely ignored or overlooked (and we had to wait 50+ years for it to finally happen)?
— Chris Hansen, Ogden, Utah

… this column exists for only one purpose and that is to answer your questions on Negro League baseball history. To that end, I need your help … if you are reading this column and enjoy it and want it to continue and you don’t already know everything about Negro League history … then please submit a question on any aspect of Negro League history. Your questions are the lifeblood of Shadow Ball—they shape where we go next.

– players, teams, events, and more – and, in so doing, you will direct where this column goes moving forward. Your participation is important and appreciated. The very existence of this column depends on you. Submit your questions to shadowball@truthseekersjournal.com.

Dear Chris: I happen to know the answer to that question very well. On July 1, 2017, at the 47th annual convention of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) in New York City, I had the opportunity to pose that very question to two men who knew the subject as well as anyone alive: John Thorn, Major League Baseball’s Official Historian, and David Neft, the driving force behind the 1969 Macmillan Baseball Encyclopedia. Neft was in the room in 1969 when MLB’s Special Baseball Records Committee (SBRC) designated six professional leagues — the National League, American League, Players League, Federal League, American Association, and Union Association — as “major.”

Both Thorn and Neft welcomed questions from the audience, and asking mine was one of the principal reasons I attended SABR 47. When my turn came, I asked: “Did the Special Baseball Records Committee consider, at all, the Negro Leagues to be a Major League?” Thorn answered immediately — exactly as I expected — with a single word: “No.” Both men then expanded on the criteria the SBRC used in 1969, and why the Negro Leagues were not even discussed. (If interested the Q & A occurs at the 47:32 point in this mp3 SABR47-David_Neft-John_Thorn-Baseball_Records_Cmte.mp3 | Powered by Box and lasts about three minutes. If you have time the hour-long conversation between Thorn & Neft is well worth the listen) Years later, Neft told The Ringer: “The one thing that I am absolutely certain about is that there never was any SBRC discussion about treating the Negro Leagues as major leagues.” Major League Baseball itself confirmed this in its December 16, 2020 press release announcing the elevation of seven Negro Leagues to Major League status: “It is MLB’s view that the Committee’s 1969 omission of the Negro Leagues from consideration was clearly an error that demands today’s designation.”

In short: The Negro Leagues were not rejected in 1969 — they were ignored. This was before Robert Peterson’s seminal Only the Ball Was White (1970), before SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee (1971), and before the sustained scholarly work that finally brought the Negro Leagues into proper historical focus. On December 16, 2020, MLB corrected that omission by recognizing seven Negro Leagues as Major: Negro National League I, Eastern Colored League, American Negro League, East West League, Negro Southern League, Negro National League II, and the Negro American League.

Last week’s Shadow Ball Significa question Who was the last surviving Atlanta Black Crackers player?
Answer: Dr. Leslie Heaphy of Canton, OH, nailed it — Red Moore. Moore also led the franchise in career batting average, walks, and sacrifice flies. Born and died in Atlanta.

The Shadow Ball Significa Question of the Week: Which Negro League team introduced night baseball five years before Major League Baseball adopted it?

Ted Knorr is a Negro League baseball historian, longtime member of the Society for American Baseball Research’s Negro League Committee, and founder of the Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference and several local Negro League Commemorative Nights in central Pennsylvania. You can send questions for Knorr on Negro League topics as well as your answers to the week’s Significa question to shadowball@truthseekersjournal.com or Shadow Ball, 3904 N Druid Hills Rd, Ste 179, Decatur, GA 30033

Support open, independent journalism—your contribution helps us tell the stories that matter most.

Atlanta Falcons Turn the Page: Matt Ryan Named President of Football After Front Office Reset

The Atlanta Falcons reshuffle leadership, firing Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot while hiring franchise legend Matt Ryan as President of Football to end years of mediocrity.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 11, 2026

The Atlanta Falcons began 2026 by making one of the most consequential leadership moves in franchise history a decision that signaled both a search for stability and the end of one of the NFL’s rare examples of Black executive leadership.

On Saturday, the organization hired former quarterback Matt Ryan as President of Football just days after dismissing head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The move reset the franchise’s football hierarchy while simultaneously eliminating the league’s only remaining Black head coach–general manager partnership. This move also carried a deeper, more complicated weight.

Announced by owner Arthur Blank, the decision immediately reshaped power inside Flowery Branch. Ryan, the most accomplished player in franchise history, now oversees all football operations and reports directly to Blank, while working alongside team president and CEO Greg Beadles to align football and business priorities.

The move followed a turbulent week that underscored Atlanta’s urgency to escape a cycle of mediocrity and raised harder questions about patience, progress, and who is afforded time to build at the highest levels of the league.

An abrupt ending to a rare pairing

The Falcons fired Morris and Fontenot on January 4 after a second consecutive 8–9 season. The decision came one week after Atlanta closed the year with a win over rival New Orleans, finishing stronger than expected and showing measurable defensive progress.

Morris, who previously served as Atlanta’s interim head coach in 2020, completed two full seasons at the helm from 2024 to 2025. Fontenot, hired in 2021, became one of the NFL’s few Black general managers and the longest-tenured of that group during his six-year run.

Together, Morris and Fontenot represented the league’s only Black head coach–general manager tandem a symbolic milestone in a league where such pairings remain exceptionally rare. Their dismissal ended that distinction that proved as fragile as it was meaningful, even as the team showed signs of forward movement.

Atlanta’s postseason drought now stands at eight years, dating back to the 2017 season the final playoff appearance of the Matt Ryan era under center.

Black Leadership in the NFL

Despite a player base that is roughly 70 percent Black, leadership representation at the NFL’s highest levels has remained limited. Entering the 2025 season, only three Black head coaches led teams, alongside a small number of Black general managers league wide. Prior to their dismissal, the Falcons were the only franchise pairing a Black head coach with a Black general manager a combination that remains rare in a league that has repeatedly acknowledged challenges in creating sustained pathways to executive leadership.

Progress without payoff

Measured strictly by wins and losses, Morris’s tenure mirrored the Falcons’ recent pattern of frustrating near-misses. His two seasons ended with identical 8–9 records, falling short of the playoffs in a competitive NFC South.

Yet context complicates the narrative. Morris inherited a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in 2024. By 2025, Atlanta surged into the NFL’s top three in sacks and set a new franchise record with 57, one of the league’s most dramatic year-over-year defensive turnarounds.

Under Fontenot, the Falcons also assembled a young and highly regarded core. Draft picks such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts became offensive centerpieces, while recent additions like Xavier Watts, Jalon Walker, and James Pearce Jr. were viewed internally as long-term building blocks.

Still, results lagged behind expectations. Fontenot, who signed a six-year contract in 2021, is owed one remaining year. Morris, hired as head coach in 2024, signed a five-year contract, according to a January 27, 2024 report by USA Today Sports, leaving three years remaining on his deal.

The contrast between measurable improvement and organizational impatience reflects a broader league pattern, where Black head coaches and executives are often afforded less time to see long-term plans through even when progress is evident but incomplete.

Enter Matt Ryan — from franchise face to football boss

Blank’s answer to stagnation was bold and deeply personal. Ryan, the former league MVP and face of the franchise for 14 seasons, now occupies a role newly created within the organization.

“Throughout his remarkable 14-year career in Atlanta, Matt’s leadership, attention to detail, knowledge of the game and unrelenting drive to win made him the most successful player in our franchise’s history,” Blank said in a statement. “I am confident those same qualities will be a tremendous benefit to our organization as he steps into this new role.”

Ryan accepted the position early Saturday morning and immediately joined the search for the team’s next head coach and general manager. Both hires will report directly to him.

Ryan steps into the position not as a repudiation of the previous regime, but as the owner’s bet that cultural continuity and institutional trust can succeed where repeated resets have not.

A resume unmatched in Falcons history

Ryan’s credentials inside the building are undeniable. Drafted third overall in 2008 out of Boston College, he became the most productive quarterback the franchise has ever known.

He led Atlanta to five playoff appearances, two NFC Championship Games, and one Super Bowl. His 2016 season remains the gold standard: first-team All-Pro honors, NFL MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year while guiding the Falcons to their second NFC title.

Ryan holds nearly every major passing record in franchise history, including career yards (59,735), touchdowns (367), completions, attempts, passer rating, and 300-yard games. From 2011 to 2020, he posted 10 consecutive 4,000-yard seasons and finished his Falcons career with a 120–102 regular-season record.

For many fans, he remains the embodiment of stability during an otherwise turbulent half-century of Falcons football.

A franchise defined by turnover

That instability is not anecdotal it is structural. Since joining the NFL in 1966, the Falcons have employed 18 head coaches, including five interims. Only two Dan Reeves in 1998 and Dan Quinn in 2016 reached the Super Bowl. Mike Smith remains the winningest coach in team history, yet even his tenure ended without a championship.

Morris’s dismissal places him among a long list of leaders who showed promise but fell short of delivering sustained success. Ryan now inherits not just a roster, but a legacy of resets.

The search ahead and immediate questions

As of January 11, Ryan is leading interviews for the vacant head coach and general manager positions. Early candidates include Klint Kubiak, Anthony Weaver, Aden Durde, and Kevin Stefanski.

The inclusion of Kevin Stefanski has raised eyebrows. Stefanski was fired by the Cleveland Browns on January 5 after consecutive losing seasons and a 5–12 finish in 2025 despite earlier Coach of the Year honors.

The Browns’ decision to move on while retaining their general manager highlights a broader league tension: success windows close quickly, and past accolades offer limited insulation.

For Ryan, the challenge is immediate and unforgiving. He must identify leaders who can win quickly without repeating the organizational whiplash that has defined the franchise.

Beyond wins and losses

Ryan’s impact in Atlanta has never been limited to the field. In 2020, he and his wife, Sarah, launched ATL: Advance The Lives, raising more than $1.3 million to combat systemic barriers facing Black youth. His community work earned him the Falcons’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination in 2016.

Those values accountability, stability, long-term investment are themes Ryan emphasized during his final CBS broadcast.

“We want to be in the mix, in the playoffs,” he said. “It’s been too long. Football is about the people. The building is about the people.”

A defining gamble

The Falcons’ decision to place football operations in the hands of a franchise icon is both risky and revealing. Ryan brings credibility, institutional knowledge, and the trust of ownership. What he does not bring is prior front-office experience, a gap the organization believes leadership, perspective, and discipline can overcome.

Yet the move also leaves behind an unresolved question. In choosing stability, the Falcons closed the book on one of the NFL’s rare Black leadership partnerships not after collapse, but after incremental progress that fell just short of the postseason.

Whether that choice reflects urgency, impatience, or the league’s enduring unevenness in who is granted time to build may ultimately matter as much as who leads the next era.

But the move also leaves an unresolved question hanging over the franchise:
What does progress look like when the league’s rare Black leadership partnerships are given so little time to grow?

Atlanta chose stability but in doing so, it closed the door on a pairing that represented something larger than wins and losses. Whether Ryan can deliver the success that eluded Morris and Fontenot will define the next era of Falcons football. Whether the league can sustain meaningful pathways for Black leadership remains a larger test still.

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Renew DeKalb Town Hall Highlights Growing Opposition to Data Centers

Residents packed a Renew DeKalb town hall to oppose data centers in South and East DeKalb, citing health risks, water strain, and zoning rules they say favor developers.

By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | January 11, 2026

A packed community meeting at the DeKalb Covington Highway Public Library on Saturday underscored a growing resistance to large-scale data center development in DeKalb County particularly in South and East DeKalb, where residents say environmental and infrastructure burdens are already too heavy.

The town hall, organized by Renew DeKalb and led by community organizer Gina Mangham, drew residents concerned that existing zoning rules are too broad and could allow massive, industrial-style data campuses to be built dangerously close to homes, schools, and churches.

Opponents warned that while data centers are often framed as clean, quiet engines of economic growth, the lived reality can be far different for nearby neighborhoods.

“The impact to the community that people are not looking at is the real health impact to nearby residents,” Mangham told the audience, pointing to concerns over air quality, noise, light pollution, and long-term infrastructure strain.

From Homes to Servers

According to Mangham, at least one proposed data center site in DeKalb was previously slated for a residential development of roughly 305 homes. That plan was later replaced with a data center proposal a shift residents say prioritizes developer profits over community stability.

Residents repeatedly emphasized that South and East DeKalb have historically borne the brunt of landfills, industrial zoning, and environmental hazards. Many fear data centers represent the next wave of uneven development.

“This is not happening in a vacuum,” one speaker said. “Our communities are already carrying more than their fair share.”

Water, Sewer, and a Federal Consent Decree

A central theme of the meeting was water and sewer capacity — a sensitive issue in DeKalb County.

In December 2011, DeKalb entered into a federal consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to address chronic sanitary sewer overflows. The agreement required billions in upgrades and repairs over an initial 8.5-year period, later extended due to ongoing compliance challenges.

Residents questioned how the county could responsibly approve water-intensive data centers while still working to meet those long-standing obligations.

Large data centers can consume millions of gallons of water per day, primarily for cooling systems. Speakers also raised concerns about glycol-based coolants, which are recyclable but hazardous if improperly handled.

Unanswered questions remain: How will contaminated cooling water be disposed of? Who pays for cleanup if a data campus is decommissioned decades from now?

Noise, Air, and the Grid

Beyond water, residents cited noise pollution from constant cooling fans, light pollution from 24-hour operations, and air emissions from diesel backup generators.

Studies and community reports from other states show that generator testing can release nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter linked to asthma and cardiovascular disease. Some residents described the sound near data centers as a constant hum approaching the level of heavy lawn equipment.

Energy use is another concern. Data centers place extraordinary demands on local power grids, which can drive up residential utility bills as infrastructure upgrades are passed on to consumers.

Federal Push, Local Pushback

The meeting took place against a backdrop of aggressive federal efforts to accelerate data center construction nationwide.

In July 2025, Executive Order 14318 — “Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure” — directed federal agencies to streamline approvals, limit environmental reviews, and offer financial incentives to qualifying data center projects. The order also encourages the use of federal lands, including Brownfield and Superfund sites, for development.

Then, on December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a separate executive order aimed at blocking state and local governments from restricting artificial intelligence development, arguing that fragmented regulation could weaken U.S. competitiveness.

Community leaders warn these federal moves could weaken local oversight just as neighborhoods are trying to assert their voices.

DeKalb Hits Pause

In response to mounting pressure, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted in December to extend a moratorium on new data center applications until June 23, 2026.

The pause temporarily blocks approval of new permits while commissioners work on comprehensive regulations addressing buffer zones, noise, screening, water use, and energy impacts.

· Terry has publicly argued that the moratorium is about responsible, data-driven planning, not stopping economic development outright.

· He has warned about unchecked expansion, rising residential power bills, and the lack of guardrails in current zoning.

· He has framed the pause as time to “get it right,” listen to residents, and build protections.

“This is about making decisions based on data and residents’ lived experiences,” Terry said during prior board discussions, warning that unchecked expansion could raise residential power bills by as much as $20 per month.

Other commissioners echoed concerns about data centers being allowed near schools and residential areas under current zoning rules.

What’s Already Here — and What’s Proposed

DeKalb currently has two operating data centers: a 3,350-square-foot facility run by DC Blox Atlanta and an 88,000-square-foot facility owned by Lincoln Rackhouse.

More significantly, county records show an application from PCC-DeKalb for a 1 million-square-foot data center campus on roughly 95 acres along Loveless Place in Ellenwood. That proposal includes three two-story buildings and an outdoor electric substation, with a vote expected in early 2026.

Two additional sites Bouldercrest Road and International Park Drive previously received zoning certification letters indicating data centers could be allowed, though neither project has moved forward.

Lessons From Virginia

Renew DeKalb organizers also pointed to Northern Virginia, the nation’s largest data center hub, as both a cautionary tale and a roadmap.

Loudoun County now requires special exceptions for all data centers. Fairfax County has imposed strict setbacks, enclosure requirements, and transit buffers. Even in Prince William County where data centers generate tens of millions in tax revenue fierce community opposition has derailed projects.

Virginia’s generous tax exemptions for data centers, which cost the state an estimated $750 million in lost sales tax revenue in 2023, have also drawn legislative scrutiny.

A New Proposal: Sharing the Benefits

In early January, Commissioner Terry introduced a resolution proposing a “DeKalb For the People AI Tech Dividend Fund,” which would dedicate 50 percent of data center tax revenue to community investments and fiscal stability.

The plan includes funding for libraries, seniors, youth programs, environmental buffers, green infrastructure, and workforce retraining particularly for neighborhoods within three miles of a data center site.

Public hearings on zoning amendments are scheduled later this month, with final votes expected in 2026.

A Community on Record

As Saturday’s town hall made clear, many DeKalb residents are no longer willing to be silent.

Speakers repeatedly said they are not opposed to technology or economic development — but they reject what they see as sacrifice zones for an industry that consumes enormous resources while providing relatively few local jobs.

DeKalb Resident Terrance Brooks DeKalb Resident Jackie Malcom

Data Center Town Hall

Moratorium, Monitoring, and Modernization: DeKalb’s Careful Approach to Data Centers

DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson’s Infrastructure and Growth Initiatives

Council for Quality Growth: Development Moratorium Extended Through 2025

Atlanta Beltline Nears 2030: Infrastructure and Innovation

Atlanta Regional Commission Sets Future Growth Priorities

Water Infrastructure Upgrades Coming to DeKalb County

Residents Push for Smart Growth in DeKalb

Truth Seekers Journal thrives because of readers like you. Join us in sustaining independent voices.

From COLA to Copays: How 2026 Reshapes Retirement Security

Social Security and Medicare changes in 2026 include higher COLA payments, rising premiums, new senior tax breaks, negotiated drug prices, and potential Medicare coverage for weight-loss drugs.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 10, 2026

Americans who rely on Social Security and Medicare entered 2026 facing a series of significant changes that will shape monthly incomes, health care costs, taxes, and access to prescription drugs. From a higher cost-of-living adjustment to the long-awaited launch of negotiated Medicare drug prices, the updates reflect both inflation pressures and years of policy debate.

Here is a breakdown of the most important changes now in effect.

Higher Social Security Payments, Modest but Meaningful

Social Security recipients received a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on January 1, reflecting rising inflation late last year. That increase is slightly higher than the 2.5 percent COLA granted in 2025.

According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly retirement benefit rises by about $56, from roughly $2,015 to about $2,071. While not dramatic, the increase offers some protection against rising food, housing, and medical costs.

Medicare Premiums and Deductibles Rise Sharply

Medicare enrollees are seeing steeper increases.

Medicare Part B premiums climbed nearly 10 percent, rising to $202.90 per month, up from $185 in 2025.
The Part B deductible increased to $283, up from $257.
The Part A inpatient deductible is now $1,736, compared with $1,676 last year.

These increases mean many seniors will see a noticeable portion of their COLA absorbed by health care costs.

Higher Payroll Taxes for Top Earners

Workers continue to pay 12.4 percent of earnings toward Social Security—split evenly between employees and employers, or fully paid by the self-employed. In 2026, however, the maximum amount of earnings subject to that tax increased to $184,500, up from $176,100 in 2025.

The change affects higher-income workers most directly, modestly strengthening Social Security’s funding base.

New Tax Break for Older Americans

A new federal tax deduction aimed at older adults also took effect this year. Eligible taxpayers 65 and older can now reduce taxable income by up to $6,000, or $12,000 for married couples.

The deduction phases out for individuals earning more than $175,000 and couples earning more than $250,000. The provision was backed by AARP and included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last summer.

Earnings Test Adjustments for Working Beneficiaries

Seniors resources are being squeezed by the cost of living, medicine, food in some instances, taxes

For Social Security beneficiaries who have not yet reached full retirement age—now between 66 and 67—the earnings test threshold also increased.

In 2026, beneficiaries who will not reach full retirement age during the year will have $1 withheld for every $2 earned above $24,480, up from $23,400 in 2025. Once full retirement age is reached, the earnings test no longer applies.

Higher Threshold to Earn Social Security Credits

Workers still need 40 Social Security credits to qualify for retirement benefits, earning up to four credits per year. In 2026, the income needed to earn one credit increased.

You now earn one credit for every quarter in which you make at least $1,890 in taxable earnings, about $80 more per quarter than last year.

Weight-Loss Drugs Poised for Medicare Breakthrough

Beyond core benefits, one of the most closely watched developments involves GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

Roughly 32 million American adults have used GLP-1 drugs, including about one-fifth of women ages 50 to 64, according to a recent report by RAND Corporation. Monthly prescriptions often exceed $1,000, placing them out of reach for many seniors.

A deal announced last fall between the Trump administration and manufacturers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk promises sharply lower prices through a new direct-to-consumer platform called TrumpRx, expected to launch in early 2026.

President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 lowering the cost of 10 widely prescribed medications

Officials say prices could fall to about $350 per month through TrumpRx. If the oral GLP-1 drug orforglipron receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it would be priced similarly. An initial pill version of Wegovy could cost as little as $150 per month, pending approval.

Under Medicare, officials estimate GLP-1 prices could average $245 per month, with typical copays around $50, a dramatic reduction if fully implemented.

Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Finally Begin

Another landmark change arrived quietly on January 1: the first 10 Medicare Part D drugs with negotiated prices officially became available.

After Congress passed a law in 2022 requiring negotiations between drugmakers and the federal government, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized prices that slash costs for some of the most widely used medications.

Savings are substantial. For a 30-day supply:

Januvia $527 $113 79% reduction
Eliquis $521 $231 56% reduction
Jardiance $573 $197 66% reduction
Enbrel $7,106 $2,355 67% reduction
Jardiance $197 $573 66% reduction
Stelara $4,695 $13,836 66% reduction
Xarelto $197 $517 62% reduction
Eliquis $231 $521 56% reduction
Entresto $295 $628 53% reduction
Imbruvica $9,319 $14,934 38% reduction

Advocates say the move represents the most significant shift in Medicare drug pricing since the program’s creation.

A Year of Tradeoffs

Taken together, the 2026 changes deliver both relief and new pressures for older Americans. Monthly Social Security checks are larger, tax breaks are broader, and drug prices are finally falling—but Medicare premiums and deductibles continue to climb. For seniors living on fixed incomes, 2026 may be remembered less as a year of sweeping reform than one of careful tradeoffs, where every increase comes with a corresponding cost.

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Dickens 2.0: Atlanta Mayor Targets Poverty, Inequality in Second Term

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens begins his second term pledging to defeat poverty and inequality, citing falling crime, housing investment, and a renewed push for neighborhood reinvestment.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 6, 2026

Atlanta entered a new chapter Monday as Andre Dickens was sworn in for a second four-year term, pledging to confront poverty, inequality, and public safety with renewed urgency — and with proof, he said, that the city’s approach is working.

Before thousands packed into Georgia State University’s Convocation Center, Dickens framed his next term as the completion phase of what he repeatedly called Atlanta’s “group project,” a citywide effort to invest in people, neighborhoods, and opportunity without leaving communities behind.

“Atlanta, we are done managing poverty,” Dickens declared. “We are done tolerating inequality. And we are done accepting violence as destiny.”

A second term shaped by results

Dickens, a lifelong Atlantan who grew up in the Adamsville neighborhood, returns to office after winning more than 85 percent of the vote in November. His second inauguration followed an unprecedented three-day Inauguration Weekend that included 61 community service projects across the city — a nod to his role as Atlanta’s 61st mayor and a signal that service, not ceremony, would define the moment.

The Honorable Asha Jackson administers oath of office to Mayor Andre Dickens

During his first term, Dickens said the city invested in people and neighborhoods at a historic scale. Atlanta opened 500 rapid re-housing units and started or completed more than 13,000 units of affordable housing. Youth investments topped $40 million, and more than 19,000 young people were hired at a living wage through city-supported programs.

Those investments, Dickens argued, produced measurable outcomes. Violent crime dropped sharply, with Atlanta finishing 2025 with fewer than 100 homicides for the first time in years. Youth-related crime fell by 56 percent, while Atlanta Public Schools posted its highest graduation rate on record.

The city also earned its first-ever AAA bond rating, raised the minimum wage for city employees to $17.50 an hour, expanded the BeltLine and park access, reduced food deserts, and launched the city’s first municipal grocery store.

“Across every measure,” Dickens said, “the Phoenix of Atlanta continues to rise.”

The unfinished work

Still, Dickens made clear that progress alone is not enough.

“How can we be satisfied when too many of our neighbors still sleep on our streets?” he asked. “How can we be satisfied when too many families live check to check — with more month than money?”

At the center of his second term is the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, aimed at ensuring every Atlanta neighborhood is safe, connected, healthy, and whole. Dickens described poverty and inequality as Atlanta’s modern-day “Goliath” — a persistent enemy that demands a direct confrontation, not incremental management.

He outlined five priorities — “five smooth stones,” as he called them — that will guide the administration: affordable housing, neighborhood investment, youth opportunity, public safety, and ethical, fiscally responsible government.

“Where we’ve thrown those stones,” Dickens said, “the results have been undeniable.”

A citywide audience

The inauguration drew a broad cross-section of Atlanta’s political and civic leadership, including U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, U.S. Reps. Lucy McBath and Nikema Williams, U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, and former mayors Kasim Reed and Shirley Franklin.

City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet speaks

All members of the Atlanta City Council were sworn in alongside Dickens, including incoming Council President Marci Collier Overstreet, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on collaboration entering a politically active year ahead of the 2026 Georgia legislative session.

From Adamsville to City Hall

Dickens’ story remains central to his message. A graduate of Benjamin E. Mays High School, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University, he often describes his leadership as forged in Atlanta’s neighborhoods long before City Hall.

“Leadership doesn’t begin in the palace,” he said, referencing his upbringing. “It begins in the field.”

That framing resonated throughout the address, which closed with a promise to move beyond what Dickens called a “tale of two cities” — one prosperous, one struggling — toward a future where opportunity is shared more evenly.

“This is not just a slogan,” he said. “It is our promise.”

Why it matters

As Atlanta continues to grow, Dickens’ second term will test whether the city can expand affordability, safety, and economic mobility without displacing the communities that built it. His administration enters 2026 with momentum, measurable results, and heightened expectations — and with a mayor signaling that the next four years will be about finishing the work already underway.

“Now,” Dickens told the crowd, “let’s get to work, Atlanta.”

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History Made in Stockbridge: Jayden Williams Sworn In as City’s Youngest Mayor

Jayden Williams, 22, was sworn in as Stockbridge’s youngest mayor ever, signaling a new era of youth leadership, economic focus, and inclusive growth in Henry County.

By Milton Kirby | Stockbridge, GA | January 2, 2026

Before a standing-room-only crowd and an atmosphere that felt more like a celebration than a formal government ceremony, Jayden Williams was officially sworn in as mayor of Stockbridge, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the office in the city’s history.

Williams, just 22 years old, took the oath of office as cheers filled the room and walk-up music echoed through the chamber. Roughly 250 to 300 residents, family members, elected officials, and supporters packed the venue, many coming specifically to witness a moment that symbolized both generational change and a new chapter for the growing Henry County city.

The ceremony was energetic and deeply personal. Gospel recording artist Jarrett Boyce and saxophonist Richard Shaw, Jr. performed while laughter, dancing, and applause punctuated the proceedings. Williams entered to Young Jeezy’s “Put On,” a nod to Atlanta culture and a signal that this administration intends to bring a fresh tone to City Hall.

When the moment arrived, Williams placed his hand on his late great-grandfather’s Bible, held by his younger sister, as Honorable Judge Holly Veal administered the oath. His parents, siblings, grandparents, and great-grandmothers looked on from the audience, alongside longtime supporters who followed his rise from youth leadership to the city’s highest office.

Williams defeated a two-time incumbent in November, a victory he has said reflected a clear desire for change among Stockbridge voters. At the time of the election, he was still completing his studies in political science at Clark Atlanta University, balancing coursework with door-knocking and community forums.

“I really want to see us grow into something where every single resident feels accommodated,” Williams said following the election. “When I say that, I’m referring to new residents, young professionals, our working families, our teachers, and our seniors. How can we accommodate them to make them feel like they are home?”

A Personal and Historic Moment

During his remarks, Williams paid tribute to his late great-grandfather, recalling family stories about racial tensions that once made Henry County a place to pass through rather than stop.

“My great-grandfather used to warn my grandmother never to stop in Henry County or Stockbridge because of the racial tensions here,” Williams said. “And yet today, in a moment he could only have dreamed of, I was sworn in on his very Bible. If he could see me now, I know he’d be grinning ear to ear. This history matters.”

That theme of history and progress ran throughout the ceremony, as Stockbridge leaders emphasized how much the city has changed—and how much more change lies ahead.

New Council Members Take Office

Williams was sworn in alongside newly elected District 1 Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt and District 2 Councilman Antwan Cloud, both of whom also took their oaths during the ceremony.

Photo by Milton Kirby – Jayden Williams & LaKeisha Gant after being sworn in

“It means our city is growing, our leadership is evolving, and we are embracing every generation as a part of Stockbridge’s future,” Gantt said.

While the evening celebrated all three officials, the crowd’s energy made clear that Williams’ milestone carried special significance for residents who see his election as a signal that Stockbridge is entering a new era.

A Resume Built on Youth Leadership

Long before launching his mayoral campaign, Williams built a reputation as a youth advocate and civic leader. He began community work at just 13 years old and went on to serve as Freshman Class President and Student Government Association Treasurer at Clark Atlanta University. He was twice appointed as a White House Scholar and became the youngest Planning Commissioner in Georgia, currently serving as chair of the Stockbridge Planning Commission.

Williams has also served as State Conference President of the Georgia NAACP Youth & College Division, Youth Mayor Emeritus for the City of Stockbridge Youth Council, and Chairman Emeritus of Youth Leaders of Henry. His work has earned him numerous honors, including ACCG Youth Leader of the Year, the AT&T Climber Award, and a national public speaking award.

An Agenda Focused on Opportunity

In his inaugural address, Williams laid out an ambitious but grounded agenda centered on economic development, youth opportunity, housing stability, and inclusive growth.

“A city cannot rise if its people are locked out of opportunity,” he told the crowd, emphasizing that economic innovation will be a front-and-center priority for his administration.

Williams outlined plans to strengthen small businesses, expand workforce training, revitalize downtown Stockbridge, and align education pathways with real job opportunities in sectors such as healthcare and logistics. He also stressed the importance of youth programming, the arts, and mentorship as tools for long-term community stability.

Quoting Shirley Chisholm, Williams added his own twist to a familiar line.

“If you don’t have a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” he said. “But Stockbridge did something different. We gathered the wood, we built the table, and now together, we’re going to make sure that table is strong enough and welcoming enough for everyone.”

Looking Ahead

Williams said his administration will prioritize affordable housing, public safety rooted in prevention and trust, and infrastructure that supports smart, responsible growth. He also pledged transparency and collaboration, acknowledging that challenges lie ahead.

“Leadership is not pretending everything is perfect,” he said. “Leadership is showing up anyway and doing the work.”

As the ceremony concluded, supporters lingered, taking photos and embracing family members, while the new mayor greeted residents one by one. For many in attendance, the night marked more than a swearing-in—it marked a generational shift and a statement about who belongs in Stockbridge’s future.

A new year, a new mayor, and, as Williams put it, a city that is “all in for Stockbridge.”

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New Year, New MARTA: 2026 Upgrades Aim to Boost Safety, Reliability, and the Rider Experience

MARTA says 2026 will bring new CQ400 railcars, Better Breeze tap-to-pay, NextGen buses, Rapid A-Line BRT, and Five Points upgrades before World Cup crowds arrive

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 2, 2026

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is beginning 2026 with a promise riders have been waiting to hear for years: long-planned improvements are finally reaching the system, and many now come with firm timelines.

In a New Year’s Day announcement, MARTA outlined a series of rail, bus, fare, and station upgrades scheduled for rollout through spring and summer 2026. The projects are designed to improve safety and service reliability, modernize the rider experience, and prepare the system for increased demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (MARTA)

MARTA officials say the focus is not just on visitors arriving for global events, but on everyday riders who depend on transit for work, school, and daily life.

“This year is one of the most consequential and exciting in our history,” said Jonathan Hunt, MARTA’s interim general manager and CEO. He described 2026 as a turning point driven by “an unprecedented number of high-impact projects” shaped directly by customer feedback. (MARTA)

Below is what riders should know—and when they should expect to feel the most significant changes.

New railcars begin systemwide transition

MARTA is transitioning from its legacy rail fleet to new CQ400 railcars, which feature open gangways, front- and center-facing seating, charging stations, and real-time service information displays. The new trains are designed to improve safety, accessibility, and capacity during peak travel periods. (MARTA)

Four train sets are currently undergoing testing, with multiple sets expected to enter regular service before the World Cup begins in summer 2026. (MARTA)

Better Breeze introduces tap-to-pay fares

MARTA’s new contactless fare system, Better Breeze, is being installed systemwide. The system allows riders to tap a bank card or mobile wallet at faregates and fareboxes, while new remotely monitored faregates are expected to reduce fare evasion and improve station security. (MARTA)

The customer transition period will run from March 28 through May 2, 2026. During that window, both the old and new Breeze systems will operate simultaneously, allowing riders to use remaining balances and transition to new fare options without disruption. (MARTA)

NextGen Bus Network and MARTA Reach launch this spring

MARTA will roll out its redesigned NextGen Bus Network on April 18, 2026. The updated network is expected to deliver 15-minute service frequency to three times as many metro Atlanta residents as before. (MARTA)

Ahead of the full bus redesign, MARTA Reach, an on-demand transit service, will launch on March 7, 2026. Reach will provide shared rides within 12 defined zones across MARTA’s service area, improving first- and last-mile access for riders. (MARTA)

Rapid A-Line brings Atlanta’s first BRT service

MARTA’s Rapid A-Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit route, will connect Downtown Atlanta to Summerhill and the Atlanta Beltline’s Southside Trail. The line will operate in dedicated lanes with off-board fare payment and level boarding at multiple doors, enabling faster, more reliable trips. (MARTA)

Five Points Station upgrades continue

As part of MARTA’s $1 billion Station Rehabilitation Program, platform improvements at Five Points Station—including new lighting, flooring, and ceilings—are scheduled for completion by spring 2026. (MARTA)

The broader Five Points Transformation Project, which includes removal and replacement of the station canopy at street level, remains underway. MARTA officials say the station will remain open, safe, and accessible throughout construction, including during the World Cup. (MARTA)

Preparing for World Cup crowds—and beyond

MARTA has developed a comprehensive World Cup readiness plan centered on cleanliness, lighting, wayfinding, multilingual signage, and enhanced service. During the tournament, increased deployments of police officers, transit ambassadors, and safety teams are planned to support both visitors and daily riders. (MARTA)

Digital tools get an overhaul

In addition to physical upgrades, MARTA will refresh its digital tools in 2026. New trip-planning and real-time tracking features will be integrated into itsmarta.com, alongside a redesigned mobile app that consolidates functions currently split between MARTA On the Go and See & Say. (MARTA)

For riders, the question now is simple: will these long-promised changes show up consistently on platforms, buses, and trains?

MARTA says 2026 is the year those answers move from press releases to daily experience.

From Texas to DC: A 2300 Mile Barefoot Walk for Peace

Buddhist monks drew thousands in Decatur as they walked through metro Atlanta on a 2,300-mile pilgrimage promoting peace, mindfulness, compassion, and community connection.

By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | January 1, 2026

DeKalb County became a place of quiet reflection and shared purpose on Tuesday, Dec. 30, as a group of Buddhist monks passed through metro Atlanta during their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, D.C.

Thousands gathered across the Decatur area to welcome the monks, who were on day 66 of a 120-day pilgrimage dedicated to promoting peace, loving kindness, and compassion. Clad in flowing saffron and ocher robes, the monks moved deliberately and barefoot through neighborhoods, city centers, and public spaces, drawing residents outdoors and turning ordinary streets into places of connection.

The journey began Oct. 26, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, and will conclude Feb. 13, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol. Along the way, the monks have crossed the Deep South, walking an average of 25 to 30 miles each day and sleeping outdoors in tents whenever possible.

A peaceful pause in Decatur

The monks entered DeKalb County after walking from Clayton County and made a major daytime stop at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in Greater Decatur. There, they shared a simple lunch and greeted a steady stream of visitors seeking blessings, conversation, or a moment of stillness.

Leading the pilgrimage is Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, who invited the crowd to take part in a brief mindfulness exercise.

“After you get a piece of paper and a pen, write this down: ‘Today is going to be my peaceful day,’” Pannakara told the audience. “Read it over and over, then read it out loud. Tell the universe that today is my peaceful day. No one can mess it up.”

Following his remarks, attendees lined up to receive white blessing cords from the monks. The cords, tied gently around the wrist, serve as reminders of mindfulness, compassion, and the responsibility to carry peace into daily life.

Onlookers also lined West Trinity Place and other downtown streets, quietly waving as the monks passed. Many said the walk felt especially meaningful at a time when social media and daily news reflect widespread anxiety and division.

Local leaders welcome the pilgrims

As evening fell, a second gathering took place at the Beacon Municipal Complex in Decatur. Though blessing cords were not offered at this stop, the monks led a group blessing and were welcomed by civic and faith leaders from across Georgia.

Those addressing the crowd included Senator Raphael Warnock, Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia House Representative Ruwa Romman, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, and Mayor of Decatur, GA Patti Garrett.

“It truly warms my heart to see all of you here,” Garrett said. “It is an honor for Decatur to be part of this peace event.”

Warnock, who also serves as senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, reflected on scripture as it related to the monks’ journey.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good,” Warnock said. “And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

He added that the monks’ physical pilgrimage gave those words fresh meaning. “We could use more justice,” Warnock said. “We can certainly use more kindness. And they’ve taught us how to walk humbly — literally.”

Why they walk

Pannakara said the idea for the walk came after years of witnessing suffering while operating a global relief nonprofit and traveling across conflict-affected regions.

“I’ve seen a lot of suffering in many different ways,” he said. “That led me to think about doing something for this country and this world, hoping it will heal some people.”

He spoke candidly about the chaos he sees in modern life. “If there is no loving kindness, there is no peace. If there is no compassion, there is no peace,” he said. “If we don’t have peace within ourselves, we cannot expect anyone else to bring us peace.”

The monks come from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the world. Many had never met before the pilgrimage began, yet their shared discipline and daily walking practice have created a bond that resonates with those they encounter.

The journey continues — with resilience

After leaving downtown Decatur, the monks walked several more miles and spent the night at Tobie Grant Recreation Center in Scottdale. Residents along McLendon Drive watched quietly as the group passed through early the next morning. On Dec. 31, day 67 of the journey, the monks continued on to Snellville.

Their walk has not been without hardship. On Nov. 19, 2025, along U.S. Highway 90 near Dayton, Texas, a distracted truck driver struck the group’s escort vehicle, which was pushed into two monks walking along the roadside. One monk, Bhante Dam Phommasan, suffered catastrophic injuries that resulted in the amputation of part of his leg. He later returned home to Snellville to recover and has remained in close contact with the group.

Despite the danger and physical toll — including bandaged feet from stepping on glass, nails, and rocks — the monks say mindfulness sustains them.

“What’s made it beautiful is how people have welcomed and hosted us despite not knowing who we are or what we believe,” Pannakara said.

Aloka, the peace dog

Often walking just ahead of the monks is Aloka, a rescue dog whose name means “divine light” in Sanskrit. Aloka first joined Pannakara during a 112-day walk across India in 2022, following the monks from Kolkata nearly to the Nepal border. Once critically ill, the dog was carried and nursed back to health by Pannakara.

Now a beloved companion on the U.S. pilgrimage, Aloka has become a symbol of perseverance and gentleness, inspiring millions of followers online.

“I named him light because I want him to find the light of wisdom,” Pannakara said.

A practice, not a destination

The monks have asked supporters not to walk alongside them for extended distances, but to visit during designated stops and reflect on the message in their own way.

In a statement, the group said they hope the pilgrimage reminds Americans that “peace is not a destination — it is a practice.”

“As the nation faces division, mental health crises, and conflict at home and abroad, this walk offers a simple truth,” the statement read. “Peace begins within the heart of each person and extends outward to families, communities, and society.”

As the monks continue north through Georgia and into the Carolinas, their quiet presence leaves behind something lasting — a reminder that even in uncertain times, peace can still be practiced, one step at a time.

Related video

The Monks Walking Through Georgia

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DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson to Retire After 26 Years of Public Service

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson will retire Dec. 31 after 26 years of service, with Chief Deputy Nicole M. Golden set to succeed him.

By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | December 26, 2025

After nearly 26 years of service to DeKalb County—10 of them as tax commissioner—Irvin J. Johnson will retire effective Dec. 31, 2025, closing a long chapter in county government marked by stability, modernization, and consistent revenue performance.

Johnson announced his retirement while highlighting the work of the office he led through a decade of change. He credited staff for maintaining operations during the pandemic, expanding digital services, strengthening security protocols, and increasing community outreach.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead one of DeKalb’s key governmental functions,” Johnson said in a statement. “We achieved the approval of 10 consecutive and timely tax digest submissions, which supported county and school operations. Those results came from a committed and excellent team.”

Leadership Transition Already in Place

Photo Courtesy Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden

Under Georgia law, the office will transition to Nicole M. Golden, the current chief deputy tax commissioner. Golden will assume leadership to ensure operational continuity. The tax commissioner is an elected position; Johnson was reelected in 2024, with a term that runs through 2029.

Golden brings more than 20 years of legal experience and nine years as chief deputy. Johnson said she is well prepared to lead the office and maintain service levels across all divisions.

A Career Built From the Inside Out

Johnson began his career in the tax commissioner’s office in July 2000 as a network coordinator. He advanced through multiple roles, including supervisor, manager, and chief deputy. In 2016, he succeeded former Tax Commissioner Claudia Lawson and was later elected.

Before joining the county, Johnson held leadership roles in the private and nonprofit sectors. His experience included quality systems management at Square D Company, training supervision at Michelin Tire Corporation, manufacturing supervision at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and job development work with the Shenango Valley Urban League.

Community and Professional Leadership

Beyond his county role, Johnson has been active across DeKalb and the state. He is a past president of the South DeKalb Rotary Club and a former chair of the Georgia Tax Commissioners’ Technology Development Council. He has also served on the board of the DeKalb Regional Land Bank Authority and on the board of directors at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Tucker.

In 2024, Johnson was named Tax Commissioner of the Year by the Georgia Association of Black County Officials, in recognition of his leadership and service.

An Office With Broad Responsibilities

The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office collects and disburses personal and real property taxes, administers homestead exemptions, processes vehicle registrations and renewals, and collects motor vehicle taxes. Johnson said modernizing these services was a priority throughout his tenure.

As he prepares to step away, Johnson expressed confidence in the office’s future. With Golden set to lead and an experienced team in place, county officials say residents can expect continuity in one of DeKalb’s most essential operations.

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