DeKalb Watershed director resigns

DeKalb County Watershed Management Director Joe Basista has submitted his resignation and will leave his job next month.

Basista was appointed to the post in August 2011 by DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis. Basista cites personal reasons for his decision to step down, according to a DeKalb County news release.

His resignation comes just as a special purpose grand jury investigating contracting within the watershed department wraps up its yearlong probe. It also comes in the same week another member of DeKalb’s leadership stepped down.

Public Safety Director William Miller, the county’s top law enforcement officer, announced Monday he will retire from the department at the end of the month.

A national search will be conducted to replace Basista.

“I appreciate Joe’s service to the county,” Ellis said. “I accept his resignation and wish him the very best.”

About the Author

Leroy Chapman

Georgia Power, PSC staff strike deal to allow historic data center expansion

Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission’s staff unveiled a deal that would allow the utility to build huge amounts of new power plants, mostly to serve data centers.

Warnock renews push for enhanced job training with bipartisan bill

Employers that come to Georgia “are having a hard time finding workers with the education they need,” U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a written statement.