Brookhaven expects to begin taking over handling business licenses early in January, as the city begins filling key departments.

The private firm that will provide community development services is expect to be in place by the first week of January. Those workers will go through more than 2,000 business licenses and another 100-plus liquor licenses to see if the city should take them over. License applications already through much of the process will likely remain with DeKalb County, which is handling services as the city begins operations.