City Council reaffirms support for the DeKalb Community Service Board

Brookhaven, GA, Feb. 9, 2021 – During its regular business meeting on Feb. 9, the Brookhaven City Council unanimously approved a resolution affirming the City’s support of the continued operations of the DeKalb Community Service Board (CSB) at 2660 Osborne Road.

On Jan. 8, the City of Brookhaven filed a lawsuit to compel DeKalb County to transfer title and control over all portions of Brookhaven Park to the City. The land area around the DeKalb CSB has historically been utilized as parkland and continues presently. Yet the County has been derelict in its responsibilities to Brookhaven residents with its management of the part of the park that DeKalb County still owns.  The only way the City of Brookhaven can fulfill the vision of the residents with implementation of the Park Master Plan is to have clear title.

The lawsuit, however, does not include the operation of the CSB itself.  The CSB does not own the land but has a long-term lease.  Regardless of whether the City or the County owns the land, the lease would remain intact.

To publicly state its intention in the event of successful litigation, the City Council approved the measure which declares its support for the CSB and reassures the citizens, residents, and families who receive services from the CSB that the dispute between the City and the County does not seek to invalidate the lease agreement between the County and the CSB.

The City further declared its intent to enter into a lease, either directly with the CSB or with the County, for the continued use of the building in Brookhaven Park for CSB services. The resolution also urges DeKalb County to resolve this dispute without further disruption and upset to the citizens, residents, and families who are served by the CSB at Brookhaven Park.

“There has suddenly been a lot of rumor and innuendo regarding the discontinuance, relocation, or removal of the Community Service Board building at Brookhaven Park,” said Mayor John Ernst.  “Nothing could be further from the truth.  This unanimous resolution that publicly states our intentions should clear up some of the false, misleading, and malicious comments which create consternation, upset, and distress where none should exist.”
 

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