DeKalb's CEO has officially rejected the idea of getting rid of his job.
Burrell Ellis vetoed Thursday a County Commission resolution asking the Legislature to study the county’s form of government. Several commissioners long have supported switching from an elected CEO position to a professional county manager.
In his veto, Ellis said a study commission on the topic would send the wrong message to bond rating agencies, which last year downgraded the county’s credit. Agencies since have upgraded the rating, but Ellis said that could be in jeopardy if agencies believe the county government is not stable.
“A downgrade adjustment to the county’s ratings would place an unfair and unnecessary burden upon the taxpayers of the county,” Ellis wrote.
Ellis also denied that the government structure has been a source of friction between his office and the commission.
However, Commissioners Elaine Boyer and Lee May issued a joint statement late Thursday saying the veto reinforced the complaint about ongoing power struggles, especially over the budget.
Both are members of the commission’s budget committee. Under DeKalb’s setup, the CEO establishes the budget but the commission approves a final spending plan. May said the budget battles were of more concern to rating agencies than the government structure.
“[The agencies] even criticized [the CEO] for not having a financial plan,” May said in the statement. “It was astonishing to me after three years in office, CEO Ellis did not have a sound financial plan to run this county.”
The veto is unlikely to affect the outcome of the commission’s request. The board voted 6-1 on Dec. 13 to ask for the study commission, enough votes to override Ellis’ action when the commission reconvenes in January.
It may, however, inject more controversy into the 2012 budget process. Ellis has proposed a $547 million plan that does not increase taxes but boosts spending by about 1 percent.
Several commissioners have said they intend to cut spending for 2012. The commission’s budget review begins in committee after the regular Jan. 3 commission meeting.
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