Brookhaven Lawmaker Plans Bill to Eliminate DeKalb CEO Position

(Image: VoteScottHolcomb.org)

ATLANTA, GA -- State Rep. Holcomb, whose District 81 includes portions of Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville and unincorporated DeKalb County, plans to introduce a bill this week eliminating the DeKalb CEO position.

The bill would replace the CEO with an elected county commission chair and an appointed county manager, according to WABE 90.1.

Holcomb’s announcement comes less than a week after interim CEO Lee May announced his resignation.

May has served as interim DeKalb CEO for more than two years, taking over when incumbent Burrell Ellis was indicted on numerous corruption and bribery charges. Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him in July 2013.

May commissioned an ethics reports that was headed by former Attorney General Mike Bowers and Richard Hyde. The investigation cited widespread corruption and improper spending from many elected and appointed county officials, including local commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader, and accused May specifically of hindering the report.

After the report’s release, May faced intense criticism and numerous calls for his resignation, including some from within his own party such as state Sen. Emanuel Jones.Deal himself has said he supports the idea to eliminate the CEO position from DeKalb County government.

Shortly after the report’s release, Holcomb, a Democrat, announced his support of a plan to eliminate the CEO position and perhaps replace with it with a professional county manager.

Several local GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Fran Millar of Dunwoody, have been advocating that change for some time.

District 1 Commissioner Nancy Jester -- who represents portions of Dunwoody and Brookhaven on the county commission -- also called on May to resign.

In October, May told a Lithonia town hall meeting that he takes responsibility for the county’s recent governmental, political and financial troubles.