DeKalb County lawmakers put up a rare united front against the CEO--over one of his pet projects.  On Tuesday, the DeKalb County Commission put a halt to all work being done to clear land for a soapbox derby track.     The resolution also urges the CEO to detail any money that's already been spent on the project. 

DeKalb County commissioners have already approved some $700,000 toward the soapbox track north of Lithonia, but they haven't yet approved a contract to start the construction for what's expected to be a million-dollar derby.  Upset that CEO Burrell Ellis has signed off on the clearing of the land, Commissioner Elaine Boyer introduced a resolution to stop the work now--and it passed unanimously among the six lawmakers there. 

"The commission is the only authority to prioritize capital projects and spending," said Commissioner Elaine Boyer, who introduced the resolution.

The 6-0 vote, with Commissioner Jeff Rader absent, was a rare unanimous front against CEO Burrell Ellis, who the Atlanta Journal-Constitution discovered last week signed off on nearly $100,000 work on his pet project, even though the board has not approved a contract for the work.

That contract, $1 million to build the 900-foot track and parking area off Rock Chapel Road, is on the board's agenda for action later today.