DeKalb CEO: We’ve got to stand together

Burrell Ellis sees tax revenues falling, crime rising and foreclosures plaguing DeKalb County.

Despite those problems, the county’s new chief executive said Wednesday night, he also sees a hopeful future if people pull together.

“Let’s join hands and, collectively, as a force, shape our destiny,” Ellis said, in his first state of the county address.

Ellis, who in January succeeded Vernon Jones as DeKalb’s chief executive officer, praised the county’s 7,500 employees and was careful to note the contributions of all seven county commissioners. On Tuesday, they will vote on his spare, $601 million budget proposal, which is 5 percent smaller than the $635 million budget last year.

One controversial element in that budget is Ellis’ proposal to hire a public safety director. He said he needs someone to coordinate — and oversee — the medical examiner, fire chief and police chief.

Ellis has engaged in a public spat with county Police Chief Terrell Bolton, who was hired by Jones. Last week, Ellis placed Bolton on leave pending an investigation of unspecified allegations. Previously, Ellis had announced a freeze on departmental transfers without his approval, saying he was concerned that officers wouldn’t speak freely if they were afraid of retribution. By that point, relations between the two men were so frosty that Ellis had dismissed police department protection for himself, opting instead for a detail from the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Tom Brown led the committee on Ellis’ transition team that recommended hiring a public safety director. Some county commissioners have questioned the cost and the need. Ellis said Wednesday night that someone must coordinate the agencies to ensure they are prepared for disasters and that they work together when buying equipment. He added that the cost for the position was marginal — a fraction of 1 percent of the budget.

Despite the gloomy economy, Ellis said there are bright spots in his budget. He found money to hire staff for new libraries, and he said he closed a $60 million gap between projected costs and revenues without cutting police positions.

Ellis, who said public safety is his top priority, said officer turnover is a major problem he plans to tackle. He said he also will investigate reported shortcomings in revenue collection for business licenses and at the county Recorder’s Court.