Chakira's Corner: DeKalb County District 4 Updates

Last month Chief Appraiser Calvin Hicks explained how your home's value is set. This month host Matt Shedd sits down with Commissioner Chakira Johnson, presiding officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, and DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden to follow the bill the rest of the way: who collects it, where the money goes, and what to do if you cannot pay it all at once. Comm...

A lot of residents of DeKalb County are asking about the relationship of their property value to their property taxes. Host Matt Shedd sits down with Commissioner Chakira Johnson, presiding officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, and DeKalb Chief Appraiser Calvin Hicks to explain how your tax bill comes together. They discuss everything from the January 1st assessment to the county&#3...

Commissioner Chakira Johnson joins host Matt Shedd for a mid-year check-in on District 4 of DeKalb County, walking through progress on her five focus areas: housing, infrastructure, youth development, Memorial Drive revitalization, and community connections. You'll hear updates on the county's new housing initiative and its first day shelter for unhoused neighbors, the Mountain Drive sidew...

In this episode, Commissioner Chakira Johnson sits down with DeKalb County Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams to pull back the curtain on how the county actually operates day to day. You'll hear what the $4.27 billion water and sewer investment means for your neighborhood, why the permitting system is getting a long-overdue overhaul, and how DeKalb is preparing for the World Cup coming to A...

On this episode of Chakira's Corner, host Matt Shedd sits down with DeKalb County Director of Code Compliance and Enforcement Tonza Clark and Commissioner Chakira Johnson for a deep look at how DeKalb is reimagining property and code enforcement. Director Clark walks through the new proactive approach: six-day-a-week operations, hotel-motel sweeps, the loitering enforcement partnership with De...

In this episode of Chakira's Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson sits down with DeKalb County's new Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, Christopher Bass, for a wide-ranging conversation about everything the department has to offer beyond green space. From summer camps and aquatic programming at the newly reopening N.H. Scott Pool, to the push for a historic designation for...

In this episode of Chakira's Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson sits down with DeKalb County Public Library Director Alison Weissinger to pull back the curtain on everything the county's 23-branch library system actually offers — from early childhood programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten to free Wi-Fi hotspot loans, LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages, and no-cost digital access t...

DeKalb County’s new Director of Public Safety, Darnell Fullum, joins Commissioner Chakira Johnson to discuss what residents are experiencing around public safety. They cover EMS response improvements, the Real Time Crime Center, and how the county is strengthening coordination across agencies. The conversation also highlights less-visible departments like 911, Emergency Management, Animal Services...

DeKalb County's first Chief Housing Officer, Dr. Alan Ferguson, joins Commissioner Chakira Johnson to talk about housing challenges and solutions in DeKalb County. They discuss rising rents, homelessness, and housing diversity. The conversation also details where residents should turn if they are worried about paying rent or staying housed. Learn how to plug into the zoning rewrite, the countywide...

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson looks back on the biggest lessons from 2025 and shares what’s ahead in 2026. Topics covered include housing and homelessness, water infrastructure and the consent decree, Memorial Drive revitalization, youth development, and services for New Americans. She also previews Resources Day on April 18, 2026 (in tandem with the Community C...

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson talks with DeKalb County’s Director of Planning & Sustainability, Juliana Njoku, about how zoning, permitting, housing, and economic development all work together to shape DeKalb’s future. Juliana shares her path into public service and what makes DeKalb’s mix of communities, land, and cultures so distinct. They also break down...

Commissioner Chakira Johnson welcomes DeKalb County Interim Police Chief Gregory Padrick for an in‑depth conversation about the future of public safety, technology, and community partnership in DeKalb County. Chief Padrick discusses his 28‑year career, from U.S. Marine service to every rank within the department, and how that experience guides his leadership today. Together, he and Commissioner Jo...

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson welcomes DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation on housing, public safety, infrastructure, water billing, and inclusion. They discuss the Park 500 rapid-housing acquisition, why general fund dollars matter for wraparound services, and how DeKalb’s new Chief Housing Officer is steering a broader st...

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner , Commissioner Chakira Johnson shares key updates on the Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan and how community feedback is shaping future improvements in walkability, connectivity, and public art along the trail. She also highlights efforts to expand transitional housing and services for DeKalb’s unhoused residents, explaining how county and district funds are bein...

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson shares critical updates on funding proposals to support sidewalk construction along Mountain View Drive and other key infrastructure initiatives in District 4. She discusses mid-year budget requests, including $500,000 toward the SPLOST project, and how these investments aim to improve pedestrian safety and long-term mobility in the...

Chakira’s Corner. A podcast where DeKalb County, Georgia, District 4’s Commissioner Chakira Johnson discusses Board of Commissioners meeting outcomes and community news with District 4’s Communications Specialist, Carrie. In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Johnson shares updates on the proposed millage rate, a delayed water rate increase, and ongoing infrastructure improvements like...

A podcast where DeKalb County, Georgia, District 4's Commissioner Chakira Johnson discusses Board of Commissioners meeting outcomes and community news with District 4's Communications Specialist, Carrie. In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Johnson covers key topics from the May Board of Commissioners meetings, including updates on the tentative millage rate, proposed zoning a...

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Johnson recaps key updates from the April Board of Commissioners meetings, including a major $75 million sewer infrastructure contract, community development grants, and the SPLOST II Resident Review Committee. She also shares news on the VFW Park improvements in Stone Mountain, summer youth programs, and resources for Older Americans Month. Stay c...