DeKalb study calls for extensive changes

DeKalb County has a year to get its house in order, a consultant has warned. Its report, presented to commissioners early this month, recommends a lengthy list of changes that could rile some influential groups. It would reduce the ranks of captains, lieutenants and majors in the police department, require county plumbers, electricians and carpenters to be more productive, switch to once-a-week garbage collection and crack down on those whose property violates county codes.

While the consultant identified some strengths in the county’s operations, it said the county must show residents that it can efficiently provide key services or they’ll turn to cities and private agencies instead.