DeKalb to soon appoint interim commissioner

DeKalb County will soon appoint a resident to fill the county commission seat left vacant since Gov. Nathan Deal elevated Lee May to interim CEO in July.

State law kept May serving as both the District 5 commissioner for 145,000 south DeKalb residents while also serving in the county’s top job.

However, a newly signed bill grants the county the power to fill May’s seat until the case against suspended CEO Burrell Ellis is settled. If Ellis is found innocent in his September trial of the 14 felony counts against him, he will immediately return as CEO and May will return to the commission. May would also return to the commission if a jury finds Ellis guilty, thought that also would likely trigger a special election.

DeKalb has yet to advertise for candidates for the appointment, or develop a vetting process.

For more information, visit www.MyAJC.com.