ATLANTA – State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and State Senator Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain), co-chairs of the DeKalb County Legislative Delegation Chairs, joined with DeKalb County Clerk Debra DeBerry and DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson to issue a call for nominations to the DeKalb Ethics Board in light of the recent resignations from the board.
“As representatives of the appointing authorities for the DeKalb Ethics Board, we were disappointed to read recent press coverage about events leading to the resignation of five members of the Board of Ethics,” said Rep. Drenner and Sen. Jackson. “Because the board is an independent agency, our only role here is to fill the vacancies. Therefore, we are actively seeking nominations for candidates to fill the five vacant positions. We look forward to filling these positions in an expedient manner and expect all board members to return to their very important work in good faith.”
The DeKalb County Board of Ethics was reconstituted in 2021 after an overwhelmingly successful ballot referendum updated the appointment process. The referendum enacted House Bill 1243, which passed during the 2020 Legislative Session. HB 1243 most notably updated the appointment process for the Ethics Board, granting appointing authorities to the House and Senate legislative delegations, tax commissioner and clerk of the superior court.
The House and Senate DeKalb County Legislative Delegations will receive nominations via email at appointment.dekalb.ethics@gmail.com.
The Chairs of the House and Senate DeKalb County delegations have asked that nominations include a resume and brief statement about the nominee’s interest in the Board.
Representative Karla Drenner represents the citizens of District 85, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2000 and currently serves as Secretary of the Small Business Development Committee. She also serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Natural Resources & Environment, Public Health, Rules and Urban Affairs committees.
Sen. Kim Jackson represents the 41st Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and a small portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached at her office at 404.656.6882 or by email at kim.jackson@senate.ga.gov.
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