DeKalb Citizens Council

Citizens Council

Office of the DeKalb County CEO

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DeKalb County

Citizens Council

Brought to you by CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson

Your Voice.
Your County.

The DeKalb County Citizens Council ensures residents are heard and connects residents directly to the Office of the CEO—elevating community concerns, sharing trusted information, and ensuring every voice reaches the tables where decisions are made.

Learn About the CouncilSubmit a Resident Concern

Communicate

Share trusted County information

Listen

Hear residents and their concerns

Report

Route issues to the CEO’s Office

A bridge between government and community

Welcome to the Citizens Council

“I am committed to ensuring every resident feels seen, heard and served.”
The Citizens Council is a volunteer body of community representatives appointed to serve as official liaisons between the Office of the CEO and DeKalb County residents. Members are ambassadors—sharing information, listening to concerns and bringing the voice of our neighbors directly to the table.
— CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

Meet the Citizens Council

Citizens Council members serve as community ambassadors and trusted liaisons between DeKalb County residents and the Office of the CEO.

22 COUNCIL MEMBERS
District assignments will be added once confirmed.
01
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Willie Anthony
02
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Sondra Brooks
03
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Selma Calaman
04
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Cynthia Duhart
05
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Angelia Evans
06
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Lauren Florence
07
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Mary Hinkel
08
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Jana Johnson
09
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Gabriel Living
10
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
LaToya Lott
11
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Brinca McMickens
12
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Joan Monroe
13
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Dennis Morgan
14
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Mary Sulmers-Newton
15
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Tess Snipes
16
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Stephanie Stephens
17
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Ashley Thomas
18
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Dennis Thomas, Jr.
19
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Theresa Thomas
20
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Gwendolyn Weddington
21
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Beverly Williams
22
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Jennifer Woods
23
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Kein Alexander
24
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Cathy Blakeney
25
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Dr. Janice Moore
26
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Donna Level
27
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Rozena Williams
28
CITIZENS COUNCIL MEMBER
Dr. Ira Williams

Service in action

What Council members do

Members extend the reach of County information and create an accessible, trusted path for constituent feedback.

01

Attend Events

Represent the CEO and County at community events, town halls, civic gatherings and neighborhood meetings.

02

Distribute Literature

Share approved County publications, newsletters, program flyers and service information.

03

Collect Input

Listen to residents and document concerns, questions and feedback through the standard intake process.

04

Submit Reports

Provide completed constituent issue reports to the CEO’s Office promptly and accurately.

05

Meet Monthly

Receive updates, share field findings and coordinate outreach with fellow Council members.

06

Uphold Standards

Serve with professionalism, impartiality, confidentiality and commitment to County values.

The standard we carry

Representing DeKalb with integrity

Members use approved County messaging, protect sensitive constituent information and serve every resident impartially. They do not make policy promises, speak for the CEO to media, campaign while on Council duty or share unverified information.

Professionalism

Impartiality

Confidentiality

Integrity

Accountability

Community First

2026 meeting schedule

Citizens Council monthly meetings

All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. Only the August 31 meeting will be held in person. The remaining meetings will be held via Zoom.

August

31

2026

In Person

6:00 p.m.

September

21

2026

Teams

6:00 p.m.

October

19

2026

Teams

6:00 p.m.

November

16

2026

Teams

6:00 p.m.
August 31 in-person location
178 Sams Street, Decatur GA 30030

A clear path to help

Constituent issue intake process

When a resident shares a concern, Council members follow a consistent five-step process.

Listen & acknowledge

Give the resident your full attention and let them know you are there to help connect them to the County.

Document accurately

Record available contact information, location and a clear description on the Constituent Intake Form

Categorize the issue

Identify the appropriate service area, such as Public Works, Housing, Health or Code Enforcement.

Submit within 48 hours

Send the completed intake form to ccouncil@dekalbcountyga.gov.

Close the loop

The CEO’s Office will follow up when contact permission is provided; share status updates when available.

Need to document a constituent issue?
Complete the form electronically or use the downloadable PDF, then email it within 48 hours to
ccouncil@dekalbcountyga.gov. For emergencies, always call 911.

View Intake Form

Learning & member resources

Citizens Council and Government Academy

Open the original publications or use the website’s simplified service guidance.
Executive Order No. 2026-6
Read the official signed Executive Order establishing the DeKalb County Citizens Council.
View signed Executive Order →
Citizens Council Orientation
Current four-page orientation excerpt covering the CEO welcome and core member responsibilities.
Open Citizens Council Orientation →
Government Academy Orientation
Current four-page Summer Education Series publication introducing the July 11 Government Academy session and presenters.
Open Government Academy Orientation →
Constituent Intake Form
Complete the form electronically or download the PDF. Submit either version to ccouncil@dekalbcountyga.gov so Council communications and constituent concerns can be tracked.
Download PDF form →
Email completed form →
County services
Visit the County’s full services directory or use 311 for non-emergency service requests.
Visit dekalbcountyga.gov →
Key contacts

CEO’s Office Main Line

Dr. G. Leah Davis

JP Phillips

Questions answered

Frequently asked questions

Am I a County employee?
No. Citizens Council members are appointed volunteers, not County employees. Members are not compensated but are authorized to represent the CEO’s Office within the Council’s defined role.
It is always appropriate to say, “I will find out for you.” Document the question and submit it so the CEO’s Office can respond.
Remain calm, listen without interruption and document the concern. You are never required to endure threatening behavior. Disengage and contact the CEO’s Office if needed.
Use the Council contact methods provided to you. Sharing personal contact information is at your discretion and is not required by the Council.