Jeffery Metzger

On the Record

What are your top ideas for reducing the cost of running county government?

In the six years I have served on the county board, we have worked diligently with county administration to successfully implement a balanced budget, that has allowed DeKalb County to serve the needs of the citizens without burdening them with tax increases. I will work to continue this proactive approach to the county budget in order to avoid reducing county services in the future.

What is the greatest challenge facing the county today and how do you plan to address it?

Maintaining a balanced budget, without cutting essential county services, will be the most difficult challenge we have and will continue to face.

What recent county board decision do you most disagree with and why?

Democracy is successful in part, because it allows our elected officials to debate legislation, in order to achieve the best result for the citizens we serve. Since serving on the board we have had many healthy and successful debates. While the results have not always been unanimous, it is important to move forward and focus on the future of the county, and not dwell on legislation that has passed and has already been implemented.

Do you support conducting fewer county board meetings during the year?

We are living in tough economic times and we all need to make certain sacrifices. However, as elected officials, decreasing the amount of time we spend working for the citizenry is not the answer. I have voted against cutting county meetings in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. That said…I do support canceling certain county meetings, if there are limited agenda items for that specific meeting.

Is the county board and its business accessible enough to taxpayers?

There will always be ways to more effectively disseminate information to the citizens. With new developments in technology, the county will continue to operate with openness and clarity. Additionally, I write a monthly column which appears in local newspapers, and outlines the work we are doing at the county board.

Do you support the ongoing effort to expand the county jail?

Yes. The Sheriff’s department estimates that in fy2011, the cost to transport inmates to holding facilities outside the county jail will exceed $1 million. This cost will only increase next year. Expanding the county jail will eliminate the need to house inmates in outside facilities. In addition to the economic challenge we face when looking at using outside facilities, we must also factor in safety issues every time an inmate is transported.