This blog is in reference to Agenda Item 2023-1331: Request for Proposal No. 22-500625 Eastside Aviation Development on DeKalb Peachtree Airport (Multi-Year Lease): for use by the DeKalb Peachtree (PDK) Airport. Consists of the design, construction, and management of business directly related to aviation for corporate aviation hangar development on the eastside of the airfield at the PDK Airport. Recommend award to the sole proposer: Sky Harbour, LLC. Estimated 50-Year Total Revenue Amount: $576,607,163.00 ($211,270,337.00 estimated towards DeKalb County).
This item has been in discussion for almost two years.
The Board of Commissioners voted to approve on 11/18/2025.
Commissioner Terry was the first to motion for a deferral to the last meeting of the year for additional public comment. Additionally, he has routinely advocated for a complete noise and environmental study before action on the item.
The noise and environmental study looks at the total impacts of fulfilling the entire PDK master plan.
During Commissioner Terry’s questioning, it was revealed the study had been complete but is awaiting comments from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which will not be finalized until the COO and Airport Director’s estimated June 2026.
Throughout discussion, it became apparent other Commissioners were prepared to move forward as only Commissioner Long Spears and Commissioner Bolton voted to approve Commissioner Terry’s motion to defer. Commissioner Terry ensured if this item moved forward additional conditions and community benefits were included. He will remain diligent in ensuring these community benefits are realized. These include:
Compliance by requiring a report every quarter with the previously stated aspirations of reducing repositioning flights by 50% which will reduce noise and / or pollution associated with flying as stated in the noise and environmental study for Sky Harbour.
Repositioning flights are non revenue flights, often flown for the sake of moving a plane elsewhere either for maintenance or to return it to another location.
Creating a $1 million annual environmental, health and noise impact fund to be invested back in the effected community by all of the issues surrounding the airport as it relates to noise and pollution.
Additionally, Commissioner Terry will continue to support and plan to introduce:
A moratorium on any more hangars until such time that an update of the PDK masterplan can be conducted, with the goal of creating more aviation adjacent, but non flight related priorities in the future development patterns of the airport
A resolution lobbying the FAA to ban night flights except for emergencies
Commissioner Terry is coordinating with District 2 Commissioner Long Spears on a Town Hall to ensure communication with the community and ensure staying focused on the call to action of investing in noise mitigation for impacted neighborhoods. More details to come.
DEKALB COUNTY – DeKalb County Commissioner Ted Terry and Commissioner LaDena Bolton are calling on state leadership to cover the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program “SNAP” benefits during the federal shutdown, “Our state has 1.4 million people who rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Here in DeKalb, 14% of our residents use food stamps. That’s over 100,000 people. They’re seniors, grandparents, working moms and children who need that money to buy groceries,” Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry said. “Georgia has a $14.9 billion budget surplus – a HUGE amount of money – where some could be spared to make sure every Georgian has enough food in their belly. And other Republican governors have already committed to this! Virginia and Louisiana’s governors have already agreed to use state funds – Georgia can too!”
“Food insecurity is a public health crisis, and we cannot wait for federal solutions when our neighbors are going hungry. Georgia has the resources—and the moral obligation—to step in and protect our most vulnerable residents,” said Super District 7 Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton.
The Commissioners will be joined at the 4pm October 30th press conference by DeKalb residents who receive SNAP benefits and by laid off federal workers, who say the field has been leveled for Georgians with high food prices, layoffs and furloughs, the federal shutdown now, the end of SNAP benefits – making it hard for everyone to make ends meet.
DeKalb County will also unveil a new project called “Mobile Market Mondays” where fresh farmer’s market produce will be available across DeKalb County, including 3 sites in South DeKalb that have been previously identified as food deserts. Through a new partnership with “Retaaza” a mobile farmer’s market will run on Mondays starting Nov. 3. The mobile market van will be on site at the press conference fully stocked with fresh fruit and veggies for DeKalb residents to purchase at a greatly affordable price.
PRESS CONFERENCE 4pm Thursday, October 30, 2025 Belvedere Shopping Plaza 3479 Memorial Dr, Decatur, GA 30032
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ABOUT DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry:
In 2020, Commissioner Ted Terry was elected to serve as the Super District 6 Commissioner of DeKalb County. His district includes half of the County with portions of South, Central, and North DeKalb, totaling approximately 350,000 residents. He successfully was reelected and began his second term in January 2025.
Commissioner Terry’s policy priorities include the DeKalb Green New Deal and former President Biden’s Justice 40 initiatives, affordable housing, transit equity, protecting voting rights for DeKalb residents, and criminal justice reform. Commissioner Terry serves as the Chair of Finance and Budget (FAB) and is a member of the Planning, Economic Development and Community Service (PECS) committee. He previously served as the Chair of the Employee Relations and Public Safety committee (ERPS) and Chair of the Operations Committee (OPS) and as a member of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWI).
The Commissioner also serves as a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a member of the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, International Economic Development Task Force, Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Member, Resilient Counties Advisory Board Member, and Environment, Energy, and Land Use (EELU) Policy Steering Committee. Locally serves on the Georgia Council for International Visitors Board of Trustees.
Prior to his election, Commissioner Terry served as the mayor of the most ethnically diverse square mile in America: Clarkston, Georgia from January 2014 – March 2020, where he was the youngest Mayor in Clarkston’s 135-year history.
He resides in DeKalb County with his wife Andrea and 4-legged fur-babies. To learn more about Commissioner Terry, his platforms and how to stay up to date on the latest from his office, visit www.commissionertedterry.com.
ABOUT DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton
Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton — affectionately known throughout the community as Dr. B — is a dynamic leader, accomplished chemist, and lifelong advocate for equity, safety, and opportunity in DeKalb County. Elected to represent Super District 7 in December 2024, she brings a bold, compassionate, and collaborative approach to governance, rooted in her deep ties to the community she was raised in, is raising her family and continues to serve.
Under her leadership, District 7 has been proudly branded as the district of bee pollinators—a symbol of collective purpose, productivity, and care. Just as pollinators sustain ecosystems, Dr. B’s mission is to create an environment where every resident is valued, and every resident is healthy, safe, and thriving. She chairs the Employee Relations & Public Safety Committee, where she champions constituent services, crisis response, and interdepartmental coordination. Her district motto — “Growing Businesses. Empowering Families.”— guides her work to uplift legacy communities, support small businesses, and ensure equitable access to resources.
Dr. Bolton holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University and a B.S. from Savannah State University. Her global career as an analytical forensic chemist has supported national security, energy sustainability, and health equity across the county, state and world.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. B is a dedicated civic leader: She was elected Vice President of the DeKalb Young Democrats Benefit Corporation in 2021, Chair of the DeKalb Dems’ House District 85 in 2023, and served as a DeKalb County Poll Manager since 2020, recruiting over 50 fair election champions.
In 2017, together with her husband, Dr. Clement J. Bolton II, she co-founded Bolton Legacy, a scholarship and advocacy initiative supporting students pursuing college or technical careers with a focus on restoring underserved communities.
Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton leads with empathy, excellence, and a deep respect for the voices of DeKalb County. Her vision is clear: to build legacies from the inside out—where every family, every business, and every resident can flourish.
At the final Board of Commissioner’s meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, December 16th, Commissioner Terry introduced a motion to extend the Data Center Moratorium for 1 year, to the last Board of Commissioner’s meeting in 2026, and to include an independent Environmental and Public Health Study funded in the FY2026 budget not to exceed $250,000 and ideally led by the DeKalb Public Health Department.
To provide further context and understanding, you may be curious where there is available industrial land in DeKalb County, possible locations where a data center could be built. These location do follow the draft regulations but is not yet updated for the new parks and trails buffers. Click here to view the entire map.
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On December 10, Commissioner Terry hosted a Data Center Town Hall
An update from Commissioner Terry’s November 9th Newsletter:
“DeKalb County has been considering options for data center regulations. The third draft regulations, prepared by the Planning and Sustainability Department, was approved by the Planning Commission this past week (November 6). This puts the vote on regulations in the Board of Commissioner’s court.
Regulations are crucial to protect our communities and ensure you have a voice in a decision that can impact DeKalb for years to come. And while this third draft regulations are some of the strongest, greenest, and quietest, in the country- I believe we can still do better.
I will be advocating to defer the regulation item on the November 20 Zoning meeting to further advocate the following is implemented:
Requiring a buffer distance of 500 ft from a park or trail. This is currently the proposed regulation for residential.
Every data center and data center expansion must require a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP). The SLUP process ensures a community process before a data center can be built. This is crucial to ensure transparency and allow ample time for the community to assess the proposal.
A community benefits agreement for every data center through the SLUP process. Ensuring our communities are not only protected but invested in.
Now that this decision is up to the commissioners, they need to hear from you.
Location: 178 Sam’s Street, Decatur, GA 30030 (Multipurpose Room A1201)”
Commissioner Terry
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A fact sheet by the Super District 6 Commission Office. Created on October 3, 2025:
The proposed Data Center regulations are being developed by theDeKalb County Planning and Sustainability Department.This fact sheet was developed by the Super District 6 Office.
This fact sheet is to help understand what the proposed regulations outline as of 10/3/2025. It is not all encompassing and details could change. Visit Engage DeKalb for the most up to date information and to view the entire draft text amendment.
CEO Cochran-Johnson, Commissioner Davis Johnson, and Commissioner Bolton are hosting a Data Center Town Hall on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center. Team Commissioner Terry is sharing details on this Town Hall from the CEO’s DeKalb County News Weekly Update below for reference.
“This Town Hall will address key areas including energy and water use, infrastructure and power, cost and economics such as taxation and jobs, as well as scalability and the future of AI and computing demands.
You will hear directly from industry experts and leading authorities who have experience with data center development and infrastructure.
Our goal is to educate and inform, so that every resident has the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about data centers and their impact on our community.”
On December 10, 2024 Commissioner Terry hosted a virtual Ask Me Anything Town Hall: Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Increase. DeKalb County COO Williams, CFO McNabb, Watershed Management Director Hayes, Consent Decree and Environmental Compliance Director Houser were also in attendance.
“Ask Me Anything Town Hall: Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Increase” Video Recording
Many questions were asked prior to the zoom call. Below are the questions and answers.
If you do not see your question or have further questions. Please feel free to email us at ted@dekalbcountyga.gov
The below answers were provided by Commissioner Ted Terry and the Super District 6 Commission Office
QUESTION: I like your water reform proposals. What is the next step? Would you vote on these reforms at the same time as you vote on increasing the water and sewer rates?
ANSWER: These discussions have been ongoing at the Board of Commissioners, Committee of the Whole, and PWI Committee meetings. These reforms are currently being discussed hand in hand with the Water and Sewer Rate Increase. Our hope is these reforms will be codified in the rate increase.
QUESTION: What can be offered for seniors. Many are on a fixed income which is not increasing 8% each year. How can they plan for this increase! This along with the sewer increase will add fuel to the fire and drive seniors out of their homes. Will the county implement water restrictions to help manage the amount or water being used? Many need to change habits before they receive outrageous bills. Advocacy council for Seniors?
ANSWER: I understand the concerns that many residents have shared about affordability and equity. That’s why I’m supporting a slate of targeted reforms to offer a safety net for low-income residents facing rate increases, cut through billing confusion, and instill real consequences for mismanagement. One of these reforms is fully funding the DeKalb C.A.R.E.S. Discount Program, which provides meaningful financial assistance to those who need it most. This ensures that rate increases don’t disproportionately burden our most vulnerable neighbors. This program is crucial because most abnormally high water bills in our system are the result of old pipes in old homes breaking. Plumbing repairs can range from the $100s to several thousand dollars, repairs that must be made before bill credits can be issued. Ensuring that customers like our fixed-income seniors can pay for these repairs is fundamental to an equitable system.
QUESTION: Why is the water rate increasing?
ANSWER: DeKalb County’s water and sewer system is decades old and in desperate need of repair. The Federal consent decree requires us to make these improvements
QUESTION: Please explain the pros and cons of the various rate amounts proposed (6%, 7.5% 8%) and why you think, if you do, that the 8% annual increase for 10 years is the best plan. Also, why the decision must be made in December 2024 vs. early in 2025.
ANSWER: The answer to this question is discussed during the Special Called PWI Committee Meeting on 1/30. You can watch this presentation discussion during the Special Called PWI Committee Meeting on 1/30 by clicking here.
The below answers were provided by the DeKalb County Watershed Department.
QUESTION: What is the actual work being done? For a while, there were SAK contractors on our street, and they pop back up every once in a while. What are they doing?? Lining pipes with something? Replacing pipes? There should be more communication about the work itself — the work being done.
ANSWER: There are many projects in progress all around the county on both the water and sewer and sewer systems. The SAK contractor is primarily lining existing sewer pipe to seal them and are making point repairs were lining is not possible.
QUESTION: I can understand that improvements will cost us all more money. I am curious about what water pipes would be changed and how the water system would be upgraded. Would these changes involve main line pipes, lines coming into homes, storage pipes, or where. I have just this year changed all the pipes in my home. Now what would I have to do to get the pipes coming into my home from the street upgraded? Can such a change be done at this time? Thank you for responding to my question.
ANSWER: Watershed has completed an assessment of the county water mains and transmission. This assessment has scored the age , condition, composition of the pipe, and demand of the service area. Pipe with lowest scores are replaced and or upsized 1st. The assessment only covered public lines. The private lines are not included in this assessment and are the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.
QUESTION: What happen to the infrastructure bill , what did Georgia do with there money ? Why can’t the state lottery which takes in billions pay for something like: police, teachers, firemen, we should not have to pay state taxes, you guys need to find other ways to get revenue, toll coming in to Georgia, when will the home get a break ?
ANSWER: DeKalb is in line to get Infrastructure bill when it is made availible to the county. Watershed is investigating all potential sources of funds to minimize or prevent the need for rate increases.
QUESTION: Hi! Can we advocate for subsidized water drinking filters? None of your constituents actually drink the water from the tap (but instead use too much of their income to purchase bottled water). Additionally, the costs of our terrible infrastructure is increased by all the chlorine and “cleaning chemicals” they put in our water – can we advocate for them to put in less chlorine since no one is using it for drinking anyway? …
ANSWER: Chlorine and Fluoride are the chemicals that the regulatory authorities require to be added to drinking water. The county meets the chemical level requirements of the regulatory agencies.
QUESTION: Are contracts drafted for utility upgrades with incentives for completion ahead of timeline? If not, why?
ANSWER: Contract do not allow incentives for early completion. Watershed has multiple contracts in place to get this work completed. Contractors with poor or slow performance are not given addition work to incentives.
QUESTION: I have four manholes & sewer lines on my property that follow a stream bed. For almost 30 years, the entire flow of the stream at times flowed into the sewer and the County did nothing even when the infiltration was proven to them by plumbing dyes. Consultant after consultant, one County official after another, came out as if no one had been out previously, such a waste of resources. When they finally sent a firm to line the sewer and fix the holes, it took three attempts due to first, the incompetence of County crews and then the lining company itself; they finally hired a second firm and it’s done, but we’re fed up. My question is, shouldn’t the County undertake an independent financial audit (including cost, performance, and safety), as well as forecast the anticipated costs to finish the repairs before asking residents to pay truly ridiculous water & sewer fee increases? It’s all good to create new agencies to help the less advantaged, but that doesn’t help many of us, especially retired folks who don’t qualify and these added costs plus massive property tax increases drive us out of our homes. The County has to do better! Should this entire program be handed off to a highly competent independent (not a County insider) engineering management firm to administer? Have all possible State or Federal funds been chased?
ANSWER: The county continues to search for any available funds to assist with this cost. Independent consultant are assisting the county with assessments, cost projections and work performance.
QUESTION: What is the justification for this price increase? What needs to be done to stop this from happening?
ANSWER: 6000 miles of buried pipe with an average age of 30 years and an increasing population warrants maintenance and upsizing
QUESTION: I’m wondering how these proposals will effect the Dekalb residents that have had outrageous water bills of thousands of dollars?
ANSWER: Funds can be used to ensure more accurate metering billing and improved water delivery.
QUESTION: What were the rate increases for the past 25 years? what was the budget for the rate increases? What was collected for this rate increase? What was the amount collected used for? How much of this allocated money is left in reserve? What is the new peak capacity of Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant in terms of MGD … million gallons per pay; How is Polebridge going to help the consent decree issues when it is in a different water basin? Why has no one said that it was the companies in DeKalb that created the Consent Decree issues but the private citizens are paying for it?
We have a lot of questions that elected officials, watershed, Georgia EPD, and the EPA are avoiding like the plague. Most citizens are in the dark because DeKalb County uses legal suppression and gaslighting as primary tools to suppress this deadly situation in South DeKalb County?
ANSWER: the new capacity of Snapfinger is 44 MDG average with 70MGD peek. The Pole Bridge Plant receives as much as 20 MGD of the county sewer flow to treat. Companies in DeKalb are regulated by the industrial pretreatment program. The bigger issue are the private sewer laterals of homes that are not maintained and allow millions of gallon of rain water into the county sewer system.
QUESTION: Why are the proposed water and sewer rates possibly being increased and we do not know the amount of lead in our water? I am also concerned about the amounts of sludge that come from the factories in Atlanta. Are these hazardous wastes going to other areas?
ANSWER: DeKalb water does not have lead in it. DeKalb water far exceeds the regulatory requirements. DeKalb does not allow industrial waste in the sewer system. It must be treated to DeKalb standards before it reaches the public sewer.
