House bill fast-tracked to dissolve DeKalb’s CEO form of government

A bill approved by a House committee on Feb. 21, 2018, would eliminate the job of DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond. (CASEY SYKES, CASEY.SYKES@AJC.COM)

Members of a House committee approved a surprise piece of legislation that would eliminate DeKalb County's unique CEO form of government.  Now, the bill that was filed just Tuesday is eligible for a vote on the House floor.

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, was among the Democrats who voted "no" in the House Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday. She said she was dismayed about the way House Bill 961 was introduced and fast-tracked without notice to DeKalb's delegation, CEO Mike Thurmond or the Board of Commissioners.

Rep. Meagan Hanson, R-Brookhaven, told members of the committee she sponsored the bill with Rep. Tom Taylor, R-Dunwoody, after becoming convinced that many of her constituents' concerns stem from the way the county is controlled by an elected official who oversees all operations. The only local elected official at the committee meeting was DeKalb Commissioner Nancy Jester, who backed's Hanson's stance.

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