David Austin, Chairman of the Paulding County Board of Commissioners, has announced his intention to seek re-election to the office he won in 2008.

In making his announcement, Chairman Austin said, “We have achieved many of the goals that we set, but there is work to do.  I took office at the height of the recession, and the County was in poor financial shape.  We have cut expenses, substantially cut the budget, and held the line on taxes.   Our financial health is improving, and we are making progress to provide local jobs and an improved quality of life for our citizens.“

When Austin ran in 2008, he promised to make ethics and economic development the top priorities in his administration.  At the time, he stated, “We must ensure the people’s confidence in their government.  We must adhere to a strict code of ethics, and demonstrate integrity and transparency in all that we do.”  Candidate Austin cautioned, “We can no longer depend on homebuilding as our primary industry.  We must expand and diversify our commercial and industrial tax base to provide relief for homeowners, and create new jobs, locally, for our growing population.”

Now, Austin says he has delivered on those promises.  In 2010, Paulding County became the first county in the state to become a “Certified County of Ethics.”  This certification requires both local resolutions and ordinances to enforce a code of ethics.  The designation also requires re-certification to ensure that adherence is kept current.  He says he has sought to provide openness and transparency about the operation of the county government, and often invites department heads, constitutional officers, board chairs and municipal officials to address the Board of Commissioners about their offices and duties.