The DeKalb County Commission has unanimously hired a chief of staff, a key job that had been vacant for a year and a half.
Chief of Staff Antwyn Brown, who previously served as the board’s policy analyst, said his goal is to work with commissioners and staff to develop policies.
“It’s a step toward stability,” Brown said Tuesday.
Brown's hiring Dec. 1 breaks a long delay in providing staff support for the commission, which has been divided over issues including corruption investigations, a failed deal for a soccer complex and spending priorities.
The previous chief of staff, Morris Williams, left the commission in June 2014 to work as the county's deputy chief operating officer over public works and infrastructure. Williams resigned in March.
The DeKalb Commission didn't move forward with hiring a chief of staff until it agreed on a presiding officer, Commissioner Larry Johnson, in August.
The board's previous presiding officer, Lee May, has been serving as DeKalb's interim CEO since he was appointed in July 2013 to replace suspended CEO Burrell Ellis. Ellis was found guilty of attempted extortion and perjury in July.
Brown, who will be paid a $120,000 salary, said he’ll work to fill two other staff positions: a policy analyst and a budget adviser for the commission.
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