Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May says the county is “turning the corner” from turmoil and corruption as he looks toward starting fresh by building a new government center along Memorial Drive.
May, delivering his second State of the County address Thursday, said relocating government functions from Decatur will help create a “Downtown DeKalb” district, potentially bringing economic development from Stone Mountain Park to the state Capitol in downtown Atlanta.
“This vision is about giving attention to a part of the county that has been neglected for decades,” May said.
It’s unclear how much the government center would cost, when it could be built or how it would be paid for. May said he’s seeking buy-in from the private sector for business and residential development nearby.
The area would be located near I-285 and Memorial Drive.
“With access to the interstate, MARTA rail station and the hundreds of acres of publicly owned land, this area is ripe for development,” May said.
May, whom Gov. Nathan Deal appointed as interim CEO 18 months ago after criminal charges were brought against CEO Burrell Ellis, said he’s committed to restoring the public’s trust in DeKalb.
“Let me be very clear: There is no tolerance for corruption in this administration,” May said. “There is this sacred trust between the public and its government. And in DeKalb County, this trust has been broken. But I make this vow to you today: I will do everything in my power to mend it.”
May said he has increased funding for the county Board of Ethics to hire full-time staff, and he has required all of his employees to go through ethics training.
Corruption allegations have plagued the county for several years. Ellis in was indicted in June 2013 on charges that he shook down county contractors for campaign contributions, and a hung jury resulted in a mistrial in October. His retrial is scheduled for June.
Last fall, then-Commissioner Elaine Boyer pleaded guilty to federal charges involving misuse of $93,000 in public money through kickbacks and charge card purchases.
Ethics complaints related to several commissioners’ use of county debit cards are still pending.
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