DeKalb differs from other counties with CEO election
DeKalb County is unique; according to stateaffairs.com, it is the only county in Georgia with an elected chief executive (CEO) independent from the legislative branch.
DeKalb County’s organizational act defines the CEO as “having the exclusive power to supervise, direct and control the administration of the county government.”
“The chief executive shall carry out, execute and enforce all ordinances, policies, rules and regulations of the commission when such ordinances, policies, rules and regulations become effective,” the organizational act continues, in part. “Members of the commission shall deal solely through the chief executive in all matters concerning the operation, supervision, and administration of the various departments, offices, and agencies of the county government.”
Other powers the CEO can wield, according to the county’s website, is the appointment of important positions, such as the county’s planning director and finance director, as well as the investigation into the affairs, records and expenditures of the various authorities, boards, councils, commissions, committees, and similar bodies or agencies. These, and other powers, are subject to confirmation by the board of commissioners.
After the qualifying period ended for the upcoming Primary Election in May and General Election in November, Steve Bradshaw, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, and Larry Johnson – all of whom currently serve as elected commissioners for the county – were confirmed to be in the running.
Because the CEO has such an important role in DeKalb County, we encourage all residents to keep up with The Champion Newspaper’s coverage of the upcoming elections and learn about each candidate’s values, policies, goals and history.
At the end of the day, it is the DeKalb County voters who really have the power through their voices and their votes.
Visit https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/voter-registration-elections/current-election-information for more information about this year’s elections and voting.
