Clayton’s Eldrin Bell wins legal ruling

A Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of Clayton County’s Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, saying a chief of staff position was created illegally.

The county commission voted in December to make Alex Cohilas — the county’s fire chief — the county’s first chief of staff. The job carried a $15,000 raise. Last month, Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell filed a lawsuit against Cohilas and his fellow commissioners, alleging they were trying to usurp his power.

“The ruling found the board didn’t follow the proper procedure in creating the position,” Cohilas said, adding he will surrender the job and adjust his salary. “If the job was created not following procedures, then the job doesn’t exist.”

Bell had argued the chief of staff job violated Georgia law, which grants the chairman the power to serve as the county’s chief executive and run the Clayton’s day-to-day-operations.

Following the ruling, Bell said he hopes the board can work together and move forward.

“This is not about winning or losing, but about finding clarity for the citizens of Clayton County and for me,” Bell said. “My position has always been about finding clarity, a definition of what I as chairman am supposed to do by law.”