Avondale Estates Curbside Composting Pilot Program

Stormwater and Sanitation Rate Increase Town Hall

  • Date: June 10
  • Time: 6:30 PM
  • Location: Multipurpose Room A1201, located at 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Click here to RSVP

This Town Hall is hosted by the Board of Commissioners. This is a public meeting, open to all, RSVP is not necessary. The tentative agenda does include public comment.

Sent via Commissioner Terry’s newsletter on 5/29/2026.

As May comes to an end, so does the Avondale Estates Curbside Composting Pilot Program. My office, over the last two years, has been proud to work alongside Avondale Estates, CompostNow, Roots Down, and Foodwell Alliance to provide free curbside food scraps pick up to city residents and compost to farmers across DeKalb County and our public libraries.

Collage of eco-friendly activities: composting, gardening, community gathering, with plants and a dog on grass.

Here are some of the highlights:

  • 136,000+ pounds of food scraps were diverted from the DeKalb County landfill by 540 Avondale Estates residents. We learned, on average, households were throwing away 23.5 pounds of food waste monthly. This is more than the national average and highlights the importance of diversion programs.
  • These food scraps were diverted away from the DeKalb County landfill and avoided 14,000 pounds of methane from going in the atmosphere. This helps provide clean air for all DeKalb residents and brings us closer to diminishing greenhouse gases.
  • Avondale Estates residents’ food scraps went directly back to the community, supporting over 17,000 plants. Our public libraries featuring climate resilient landscapes and farmers across DeKalb County received this compost. Click here to learn more about some of the farmers who received the compost. 
  • And so much more!

What’s Next for Composting in DeKalb County?

My office has learned a lot from this pilot program. As we enter into Sanitation discussions, I have started brainstorming options to support the continuation of this program and possibly expanding across DeKalb County. These conversations are happening now alongside the Sanitation Rate Increase discussion. I am advocating for:

  • Making Right on DeKalb County’s Promise to Expand Food Scraps Composting through Funding a Composting Feasibility Study.
  • Incentivizing Municipalities to Offer City Wide Food Scraps Composting Programs by Keeping the 2022 Base Rates for tipping fees.
  • A 50%-10% equitable discount for residents within a 2 mile radius of the DeKalb County landfill. 
  • Adjusting the “Minimum Scale Fee- Any Material Up to 999 lbs” to a tiered rate system based on weight
  • Adjusting the Tire Tip Fee
  • Providing a Senior Discount on the Sanitation Fee for Seniors who Qualify for the Senior Homestead Exemption.
  • You can click here to read more.

Can you advocate for composting in DeKalb County?

If you would like to continue this conversation and advocate for composting throughout DeKalb County I encourage you to attend the upcoming Town Hall on June 10.

Stormwater and Sanitation Rate Increase Town Hall

  • Date: June 10
  • Time: 6:30 PM
  • Location: Multipurpose Room A1201, located at 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Click here to RSVP

This Town Hall is hosted by the Board of Commissioners. This is a public meeting, open to all, RSVP is not necessary. The tentative agenda does include public comment.

Composting has proven to be a powerful solution for protecting our environment, improving public health, and reducing waste. Now, we must build on the success of this grant program and turn what we’ve learned into lasting action by expanding composting opportunities and making food waste diversion a priority across our community.

Ted

Want to learn more about this pilot program?

Video thumbnail with composting bins, participants, and text: "Behind the Bin: Key Takeaways from Avondale Estates’ Compostin

Click here to watch our webinar: Behind the Bin: Key Takeaways from Avondale Estates’ Composting Program

Meet DeKalb’s Local Growers!

Person in a garden under "Eco Sun Farms" sign, surrounded by lush greenery and kale plants.

Sent via Commissioner Terry’s newsletter on 5/23/2026.

Did you know DeKalb County used to be primarily farm land? While a large urban county today, some residents still honor those agricultural roots by planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers. My office had the great opportunity to stop by some of these farms and learn from them first hand.

The secret ingredient to growing successfully in our Georgia clay soils? Compost.

As part of the Avondale Estates Curbside Composting Pilot Program, farmers in DeKalb County were able to apply for compost through Foodwell Alliance and receive the finished compost made from Avondale Estates Residents’ food scraps. Thanks Avondale Estates!

Lets learn about some of our local growers! 

Meet EcoSun Farms

Person in a garden under "Eco Sun Farms" sign, surrounded by lush greenery and kale plants.

Meet EcoSun Farms! A boutique farm with a vision to increase accessibility to nutrient-rich, chemical free, locally grown food using sustainable agricultural methods. They were established in 2022 and feature bees, chickens, composting worms, leafy greens, herbs, and mushrooms. They are in the process of transitioning to organic because they believe in nutrient dense foods, growing using natural methods without pesticides and herbicides to ensure healthy foods are being delivered to their community. 

Meet Field & Flower

Greenhouse with seed trays, blooming garden path, and close-up of young plants.

Meet Field & Flower! A cut flower farm located in Scottdale GA.  The growing season is February to November on less than 1/4 acre. As a micro farm, the farm focuses on high yield and high dollar crops to maximize limited growing space.  Growing specialty tulips by forcing them in crates is the farm’s primary crop. In 2026 the farm forced over 18,000 bulbs.

The owner of Field & Flower actually lives in Avondale Estates and participated alongside many of their neighbors in the Compost Now pilot program. Additionally, many of their neighbors also purchase flowers. They were so excited to get the compost grant knowing that their direct community participated in an input that helped produce their own goods.  

Meet Garland’s Garden

Tractor with soil pile, young tomato plants in pots, and a large mound of dark soil near garden sheds.

Meet Garland’s Garden! Owned and operated by 26 year old Andrew Lane, with a little help from his mother, Gwen. This spring is their 5th season and they grow organic vegetables and herbs starts, along with pollinator friendly perennials.  Their goal is to offer their community plants that are beneficial to both the environment and people alike.  

Meet the Waldorf School

A man in overalls stands by a garden sign at The Waldorf School, surrounded by lush plants and a greenhouse.

Meet the Waldorf School of Atlanta! Part of their campus features a garden that includes multiple herbs, succulents, leafy greens, and more! Additionally they have their own composting system allowing students and community members to turn their food scraps into compost.

Meet Earth Dog Farm

Colorful garden with flowers, a small black and white dog on grass, and a bee on purple flowers.

Meet Earth Dog Farm! A small flower farm, newly based out of Lithonia, GA. They utilize several high tunnels for growing high quality cut flowers for sale to local florists and the Green Market at Piedmont Park. They use organic methods like heavy application of compost, omri listed amendments, crop rotation, cover crops, and they encourage and add beneficial insects for pest control.

Compost’s healing properties for the soil has proven essential for our local growers. In just one year 540 Avondale Estates residents were able to divert 136,000+ pounds of food scraps from the DeKalb County landfill, avoiding over 14,000 pounds of methane from going in the atmosphere, and creating enough compost to support over 17,000 plants.

Imagine how we could heal our soil and support our growers if the entire county, all 770,000+ residents, diverted their food scraps.

Ted

Short-Term Rental Licensing and Compliance

Chalkboard shaped like a house with "Rental Law" text, next to a wooden gavel.

The DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Department launched the short-term rental program on May 20, 2026. All DeKalb County short-term rental owners/operators must apply for and obtain a Short-Term Rental License within 30 days to comply.

What is a Short-Term Rental (STR)?

A short-term rental is the rental of any room, lodging, or overnight accommodation for a period not exceeding thirty (30) consecutive days, including properties advertised through platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and similar services.

Beginning May 20, 2026: Owners/operators of short-term rentals in unincorporated DeKalb County will be required to:

• Apply for and obtain a Short-Term Rental license

• Designate a 24-hour local contact/agent

• Comply with noise, nuisance, parking, and safety regulations

• Remit the required 8% Hotel/Motel Excise tax on the 20th of every month

Important Information

• Short-term rentals are prohibited from being advertised or used as party houses or event venues.

• Short-term rentals located within locally designated historic districts are not eligible for approval.

• All applications will be submitted annually through the County’s Business License Division.

Please Note: If you are applying for a Short-Term Rental license, do not utilize the County’s ePermitting system. The official Short Term Rental application process launched on May 20, 2026, and is available at the following link: https://portal.deckard.com/ga-dekalb-str-portal

Stay Informed

Visit the Engage DeKalb Short-Term Rental webpage for updates, ordinance information, FAQs, and implementation details: https://engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov/short-term-rental

DeKalb Commissioner Ted Terry Advocates for Equitable Policies And Compost Expansion Amidst Proposed Sanitation Rate Increase

May 29 UPDATE: The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will be hosting a Stormwater and Sanitation Rate Increase Town Hall on June 10, 6:30 PM at 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030 (Multipurpose Room A1201). For more information and RSVP click here. This Town Hall is hosted by the entire Board of Commissioners. This is a public meeting, open to all, RSVP is not necessary.

DEKALB COUNTY – On May 22, 2026, the DeKalb County Public Works and Infrastructure Committee held a special called meeting that included discussion on Agenda Item 2026-0930 “Sanitation Department Increase of Commercial & Residential Service Fees, Landfill, and Transfer Station Tipping Fees.”

“I have heard directly from my constituents living by the landfill that they were told in the 70s or 80s that the landfill would close after 20 years and become a park. Many longtime residents moved into the neighborhood without knowing a landfill was nearby,” said DeKalb Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry. “When they hear landfill expansion and new cell construction in 2027, they hear environmental injustice. If we increase our Sanitation Rates, we must also achieve environmental redress for these disproportionately burdened communities. This should include financial relief, assistance with air filters, and diverting our food waste which we know decreases methane air pollution and smell.”

Commissioner Terry’s Policy Priorities Included:

  • Adjusting the “Minimum Scale Fee- Any Material Up to 999 lbs” to a tiered rate system based on weight: In 2023, this fee was increased from $16.50 to $48 and disproportionally affects those that wish to dump small items, such as a bag of trash. Commissioner Terry is advocating for a tiered system modeled after Rome, GA’s that will allow DeKalb residents with small tonnage to pay an equitable fee.
  • Adjusting the Tire Tip Fee: This is currently being discussed at the Board of Commissioners in the form of Agenda Item 2025-0744. Commissioner Terry’s office has found since increasing the Tire Tip Fee in 2023 from $1 to $10 there has been a 56% decrease in tires received at the landfill under the “Resident-Paying” account. Keep DeKalb Beautiful, the beautification unit that hosts illegal dumping clean ups, has increased their tire tipping by 359% from 2022. It is believed this previous rate increase has exasperated a tire dumping problem throughout DeKalb County and the fee should be adjusted to encourage tipping at the landfill rather than dumping.
  • Enhance Environmental Equity: This is currently being discussed at the Board of Commissioners in the form of Agenda Item 2025-1787. It includes details such as an air purifier / HVAC filter rebate policy, composting program, residential notification, real time monitoring and alert system, and odor monitoring adjustment. Most pivotal to this item is the proposed 50%-10% discount for residents within a 2 mile radius. Commissioner Terry’s office found following the current proposed rate increase by 2030 the cost of this discount would be a little more than $2.1 million for the County.
  • Make Right on DeKalb County’s Promise to Expand Food Scraps Composting through Funding a Composting Feasibility Study: In previous policies, including the last Sanitation Rate Increase, DeKalb County has committed to enhancing composting services. Commissioner Terry is advocating that DeKalb County should fund a Compost Feasibility Study to establish the best place the county could develop a compost facility that includes food scraps compost.
  • Incentivizing Municipalities to Offer City Wide Food Scraps Composting Programs by Keeping the 2022 Base Rates and Possibly Lowering Yard Waste Tip Fees Should a Threshold Percentage of Composting Participants Be Met: In 2023, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, and Decatur kept their 2022 base rates, avoiding the tipping rate increase of $95 at Seminole and $100 at the Transfer Stations. Commissioner Terry’s office found by avoiding this rate increase the cities may be saving $90k – $600k a year. Commissioner Terry is advocating these tipping fees not be right sized if cities provide food waste composting programs city wide to residents. Additionally, he is advocating for the possibility of yard waste tipping fees to decrease if cities reach at least 35% of resident compost participation. It is believed these savings would allow cities to fund composting programs.
  • Pause the rate increase for Seniors who Qualify for specific Senior Homestead Exemption

The Proposed Rate Increase as Stated in the “Purpose” of the Agenda Item:

“To approve Sanitation’s proposed increase in commercial service fees, residential fees, and landfill & transfer station tipping fees. The increase will occur incrementally over the next five (5) years, beginning 2026 through 2030 (see below).

 ActualProposedProposedProposedProposedProposed
 202520262027202820292030
Residential Service Fee0%24.8%10%10%10%5%
Commercial Service Fee0%24.8%10%10%10%5%
Landfill/Transfer Station Service Fee0%5%5%5%5%5%
All Other Services Fee0%24.8%10%10%10%5%

“

This item is still in committee and may change, given the committee requested the administration run additional scenarios that may allow for a lower percentage in the first year to ease residents into the rate increase. Additionally, the committee discussed continuing the conversation with residents in a town hall tentatively set for Thursday, June 4. The goal of this Town Hall would be to discuss both the proposed Storm Water Rate Increase (Agenda Item 2026-0587) and the Sanitation Fee Rate Increase.

Tax Commissioner expands mobile tax office program to more senior centers

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Nicole M. Golden recently announced the expansion of the office’s mobile tax program, which now serves five senior centers across DeKalb County.

Launched as a pilot program at the Lou Walker Senior Center in January 2023, the initiative has grown to improve access to essential motor vehicle and property tax services for residents, particularly seniors who rely on in-person assistance.

“Our mobile tax office program allows us to meet taxpayers where they are and provide essential services in a convenient, community-based setting,” said Golden. “We’re excited to expand our reach to the South DeKalb Senior Center, Lithonia Senior Center, and East Central DeKalb Community & Senior Center this year. Accessibility remains a key priority, especially for seniors who depend on in-person service.”

Mobile tax office services include vehicle registration renewals, issuance and renewal of disabled placards, insurance lapse payments, disabled license plates, senior emissions waivers, homestead exemption applications, and property tax payments. Services are available at the following senior centers:

For motor vehicle service, a valid Georgia driver’s license with a current DeKalb County address is required.

For property tax service, please bring proof of age and residency in DeKalb County (valid Georgia ID or driver’s license), copies of current or previous year’s federal and state income tax returns, and any Social Security Form 1099s.

Accepted payment methods include checks, debit cards, and credit cards.

To learn more about the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office, visit DeKalbTax.org or call 404-298-4000. For updates from the office, follow @dekalbtaxga on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Bluesky.

Sanitation Town Hall: Discussing Commissioner Terry’s proposed policy for an equity-based discount program

Speaker addresses attendees at a sanitation town hall meeting on equity, health, and community solutions.

On May 6, 2026, Commissioner Terry hosted a Sanitation Town Hall to discuss Sanitation Services in DeKalb County and his legislation proposing an equity-based discount program for residents within a two mile radius of the landfill.

View the slideshow

Commissioner Terry’s Legislation

  • Agenda Item 2025-1787: A Resolution to Enhance Environmental Equity and Sanitation Practices in DeKalb County
  • If approved, qualifying residents could receive a 10% – 50% discount on Sanitation Services based on their proximity to the DeKalb County landfill (within 2 miles).
  • Additionally, the legislation will request the DeKalb Administration to:
    • Assist residents in purchasing indoor air purifiers and HVAC filters
    • Develop residential and commercial composting programs
    • Monitor particulate matter levels
    • Establish a process for notifying residents whenever air quality is affected by landfill operations
  • Click here to read the current legislation
  • This legislation is currently in the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee (PWI) and will be back at the Board of Commissioners on May 26, 2026.

2 Mile Radius Around the Landfill

Map of Seminole Landfill with color-coded distance rings and surrounding roads in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Additional Legislation Mentioned:

Call to Action

Community input is critical to shaping and advancing the policy. It is currently being discussed in committee and edits can be made. We welcome your feedback, please feel free to email: superdistrict6@dekalbcountyga.gov

If you would like to advocate for this legislation to pass we recommend:

  • Emailing your Commissioners
    • You can find who your Commissioner is by clicking here
    • District 3 Commissioner Massiah namassiah@dekalbcountyga.gov
    • District 5 Commissioner Davis Johnson mdjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov
    • Super District 6 Commissioner Terry Ted@dekalbcountyga.gov
    • Super District 7 Commissioner Bolton labolton@dekalbcountyga.gov
  • Emailing the PWI Committee Commissioners
    • PWI Committee Chair, District 1 Commissioner Patrick rjpatrick@dekalbcountyga.gov
    • PWI Committee Member, District 4 Commissioner Johnson cjjohnson2@dekalbcountyga.gov
    • PWI Committee Member, Super District 6 Commissioner Terry Ted@dekalbcountyga.gov
  • Attending public comment, especially when the item is on the agenda like on May 26.
    • Effective advocacy includes stating name, address, and which Commissioners represent you.
  • Talk with your neighbors

Additional Discussion

  • Possible Composting Facility at Pole Bridge: A Pole Bridge Wastewater Treatment Plant Master Plan is underway to review several possible uses of the land. The facility is in Stonecrest, consists of 400 acres, and has an existing buffer zone. One possibility is a Composting facility that could initially use 20 acres and process food waste and biosolids (sewer sludge), reducing landfill odor and methane emissions. Additional possibilities include a park, solar farm, food forest, etc. This Master Plan will include community engagement to hear directly from residents on what they would like to see.
  • Avondale Estates Curbside Pilot Program Results: A curbside composting pilot in Avondale Estates engaged 546 households and collected 136,000 pounds of food scraps. This effort avoided an estimated 14,000 pounds of methane.
  • Infrastructure Concerns: Residents raised concerns about increased truck traffic and poor road conditions near the landfill. While composting could add some traffic, the long-term goal is a closed-loop system that keeps resources local and builds resilience.
  • Landfill Longevity: The Seminole Road landfill could remain open until 2070 due to available space, though odor and health concerns persist. Closing it would increase transportation costs due to longer hauls.
  • Additional Resident Concerns: declining property values near the landfill, persistent odors reaching as far as the Flakes Mill commercial corridor, longtime residents (1970s +) shared historical context regarding landfill expansion attempts and concerns over the original projected landfill lifespan, environmental discrimination and disproportionate impacts on South DeKalb communities if the proposed composting facility is built. Some felt that this would be replacing one stinky smell for another, health concerns discussed included migraines and quality-of-life impacts re: fresh air, and Whitehall Forest residents raised concerns regarding illegal dumping and unresolved infrastructure/leak issues.