DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson recently announced the release of a landmark organizational assessment conducted by independent consulting firm Mauldin & Jenkins. Commissioned as part of CEO Cochran-Johnson’s transition strategy, the report represents a significant step toward enhancing operational efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across county government.
The independent evaluation reviewed 18 departments and identified 266 actionable recommendations to modernize government operations, streamline internal processes, and reinforce accountability across county agencies.
“As I shared in my first budget proposal, this assessment was never about pointing fingers, it was about building a stronger foundation for DeKalb’s future,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “With this report, we now have a clear, data-informed roadmap to reimagine how we serve, how we lead, and how we grow.”
The recommendations cover a wide range of priorities, including improvements in organizational structure and leadership alignment, service delivery and process modernization, technology integration and workflow optimization, and internal controls and risk management.
To support implementation, the CEO’s office will appoint a dedicated Change Manager to coordinate efforts across departments, monitor progress, and deliver regular updates to the Board of Commissioners and the public.
“This is a pivotal moment for DeKalb County,” Cochran-Johnson added. “We now have the blueprint and the will. What comes next is execution and that will require focus, discipline, and collaboration at every level of government.”
