DeKalb committee approves sanitation rate increase, adds amended tire fees and rejects broad landfill discount

The DeKalb County Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on June 19 approved a phased rate increase for the county's sanitation enterprise and added an amended tire fee schedule while declining a broader discount plan for residents living near the county landfill.

The action came after staff presented projections showing the sanitation enterprise fund would face about a $31 million shortfall in 2027 and a steeper gap the following year if no changes are made. Director McKenna summarized that outlook, saying the county is "facing just about a $31 million deficit" in 2027 under current assumptions. Committee members and staff framed the increase as necessary to maintain service levels amid rising fuel, labor and insurance costs.

Commissioner Terry, who introduced a packet of alternative policies drawn from town halls and constituent feedback, urged multiple amendments to make fees more equitable. She proposed a staggered minimum scale fee with tiers for small drop-offs, adjusted tire tip charges, a targeted environmental-equity discount for households closest to the landfill, construction of a promised composting facility and incentives for cities that adopt curbside composting.

On tire fees, the committee adopted amended language that staff characterized in the meeting transcript as "350 for any tire under 18 in, 16 tires over 18 in, $30 if the tire has a rim." Commissioner Terry warned that steep tire fees can drive illegal dumping and urged caution.

Terry also asked the committee to pause increases for senior homestead exemption parcels for one year; she cited counts from the tax commissioner and described approximately 15,000 H4 exemption parcels in unincorporated areas and additional exemption categories. Administration said it needed more time to review legal and operational implications and referenced prior legal challenges to similar programs.

A separate resolution to create a wider environmental-equity discount tied to distance from the landfill — including a two-mile zone package earlier estimated at roughly $1.2 million in fiscal impact — was debated and then denied by the committee. Administration warned the longer-term fiscal impact could be substantial if the program were scaled countywide, and several members said an enterprise fund discount shifts costs onto other ratepayers.

The committee approved agenda item 2026-0930 (the sanitation increases) in committee and separately approved the amended tire fee resolution (2026-0744) to be folded into the ordinance package going forward. The committee chair announced the sanitation vote result as "two to one." The committee did not adopt Commissioner Terry's broader environmental-equity resolution (2025-1787). The committee also recorded a request that staff provide ordinance language and fiscal details before the measure goes to the full commission.

Next steps: staff will finalize ordinance language and fiscal exhibits for the full commission and for placement on the schedule that affects the county tax bill timing. Commissioners asked for additional research on senior exemptions, explicit commitments and timelines for the compost facility and clearer metrics for any city incentive program.