DeKalb ready to accept proposals to move Confederate monument

10/24/17 - Decatur, GA -  Behind the old courthouse in Decatur Square sits this Confederate monument.   Supporters of removing a Confederate monument from Decatur along with a lone proponent of keeping it spoke during public comment at the DeKalb County Commission.   The commission is expected to vote to explore removing the monument.  The vote wouldn't remove the monument immediately; rather, it would start an investigation into potential loopholes in state law allowing the county to take action.   BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

10/24/17 - Decatur, GA - Behind the old courthouse in Decatur Square sits this Confederate monument. Supporters of removing a Confederate monument from Decatur along with a lone proponent of keeping it spoke during public comment at the DeKalb County Commission. The commission is expected to vote to explore removing the monument. The vote wouldn't remove the monument immediately; rather, it would start an investigation into potential loopholes in state law allowing the county to take action. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

DeKalb commissioners on Tuesday signed off on a plan that could lead to the relocation of a Confederate monument now located in the heart of Decatur.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to open a 30-day window for outside groups interested in taking responsibility for the monument to submit proposals. Nancy Jester was the sole "no" vote; she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently that she doesn't agree with relocating monuments that some consider symbols of U.S. history.

Third parties interested in moving the Confederate monument must agree to keep it on display while also providing context about its origins.

Commissioners did not discuss a timeline for making a decision once the 30-day period ends or what would happen if no suitable proposals are received.