Georgia County Government - April 2009 - (Page 17) ion ueled Kalb’ streets, buildings and neighborhoods in DeKalb County following his death, and a contingent of other notable early 20th century architects were attracted here because of his legacy. Executive Form of Government Unique in Georgia Being so unique on many fronts, it’s not surprising that DeKalb County is also organizationally unique in Georgia and has a diverse roster of leaders that not only represent the county’s many socio-political faces, but could also be the envy of any progressive large urban county government anywhere. A look at the organization of DeKalb County government is a study in local government patterned after the way federal or state government is set up, with three branches – the executive, legislative and judicial – each providing “checks and balances” against the other two. DeKalb Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Burrell Ellis was elected countywide to the post last November, and holds the seat of the county’s “executive branch,” responsible for management of some 7,000 county employees and directing the daily business of the county. Handling DeKalb County’s daily operations is Chief Operations Officer to the CEO Keith Barker, the former first chief of staff for the Board of Commissioners. Barker worked closely with Ellis as District 4 commissioner for 2 1/2 years and presiding officer of the BOC. Barker, with 30 years’ experience in public administration, has served as employee relations and management DEKALB COUNTY continued on page 19 The Manuel J. Maloof Center in downtown Decatur is the county’s primary government administration complex. Burrell Ellis (fifth from left) with the county’s Board of Commissioners (from left): Elaine Boyer, Jeff Rader, Connie Stokes, Larry Johnson, Sharon Barnes-Sutton, Lee May, and Kathie Gannon. Photo courtesy of DeKalb County Government. APRIL 2009 www.accg.org 17 http://www.accg.org
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