Expanded DeKalb Operations Task Force Holds First Meeting

By Patch Staff

DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May has increased the membership of The Task Force on DeKalb County Operations (the Operations Task Force). The committee has been increased from 15 members to 17, and all task force members will have voting privileges.

“It is important that we leverage all of our partnerships as much as possible on the front end, to ensure a successful outcome,” said May in a statement. “Additional representation from the General Assembly, as well extending voting to the Georgia Municipal Association and Association of County Commissioners of Georgia gives us the balance we need.”

The Operations Task Force held its first meeting on June 5 in Decatur. The Chamblee Post says 100-plus attendees heard May deliver a presentation of the county government structure.

The Operations Task Force was created by May with the support of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners through an Executive Order in March 2014.

The Operations Task Force will explore and study (1) the financial, business, zoning and quality of life impact on residents and government operations caused by the creation of new cities and annexations; (2) the effectiveness of the current governance structure of DeKalb County and ethics and transparency in County operations; (3) the equitable distribution of Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST) proceeds and legacy pension costs between the DeKalb County and it’s cities; and (4) other related matters.

The Operations Task Force is comprised of:

• Commissioner Jeff Rader, District 2

• Commissioner Sharon Barnes-Sutton, District 4

• State Senator Fran Millar

• State Representative Karla Drenner

• State Representative Billy Mitchell