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.