For the first time in decades, DeKalb County is going through a comprehensive review of its CEO-led government structure.

A group of residents began considering last week whether to keep or abandon the CEO position, which is unique in Georgia. DeKalb is the only county in the state with a CEO in charge of the executive branch of government, separate from a county commission that handles the legislative branch.

The DeKalb Charter Review Commission will release its findings by Dec. 1, 2017, and then it would be up to the Georgia General Assembly whether to enact them.

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(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The board voted down a proposal to eliminate Georgia’s touchscreen voting system and switch to hand-marked paper ballots. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Democrat Eric Gisler celebrated his Tuesday election victory at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (AP)

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