Residents Are Encouraged to Attend The DeKalb County Charter Review Town Hall to Further Understand the Organizational Act

Important information regarding DeKalb County’s organizational governing structure and policies, as well as the role of the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Commissioners to be discussed

DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry are inviting the DeKalb County community to attend a special Town Hall designed to educate residents about the Charter Review process.

The DeKalb County Charter Review Town Hall will take place February 23, 2023, at 6 p.m. and will give attendees a better understanding of the Organizational Act (Org. Act) and the role the DeKalb County Charter Review Commission (Charter Review Commission) will play in determining the future.

“I have had several requests from community members who want to better understand the role of the Charter Review Commission,” said Cochran-Johnson. “Charter Review provides a rare opportunity to analyze the policies surrounding the governing structure of DeKalb County and make recommendations to ensure best practices and optimal outcomes. I encourage all DeKalb County residents to join this conversation to learn and understand where power and responsibility is vested among the governing authority.”

During the 2018 session of the Georgia General Assembly, leadership in the DeKalb County House and Senate delegations collaborated with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond to develop the purpose and framework of the Charter Review Commission.

The following year on February 20, 2019, the Charter Review Commission was formally announced and today, is comprised of seventeen members charged with the responsibility of studying DeKalb’s current form of authority to ensure the county is responsive to the ever-changing needs and demands of local governance. It has been 43 years since the Org. Act was initially passed by a public referendum.

Topics to be discussed during the Charter Review Town Hall include understanding the Org. Act; the distribution of power established by the Org. Act; and the duties of the Chief Executive Officer as well as the Board of Commissioners.

“I look forward to furthering our county’s discussion and education about a crucial component of DeKalb County’s government. The Charter Review is something both Super District offices receive consistent questions about, and I am excited to keep our citizens at the table,” Commissioner Ted Terry said. “Our county is at its best when we are all working together, and that includes citizen input.”

To view the current Org. Act click here or to learn more about the Charter Review Commission, click here.

For inquires, media coverage or to schedule an interview with Commissioner Cochran-Johnson, email amslocum@dekalbcountyga.gov or call 470-547-2696. To schedule an interview with Commissioner Ted Terry, email kholloway@pineapple-pr.com or call 270-925-3407.