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Commissioner proposes rebate program to trade gas landscape tools for electric models; committee seeks budget details
Summary
A resolution proposing rebates for residents and unincorporated DeKalb businesses to switch from gas-powered landscape maintenance devices to electric alternatives was discussed; committee members requested a clear initial funding cap and asked staff to align the program with any forthcoming noise ordinance changes.
Commissioner Ted Terry presented a proposed resolution to create an electric landscape maintenance-device rebate program intended to incentivize residents and landscape businesses in unincorporated DeKalb County to replace gas-powered devices with electric equipment.
Under the draft program described to the committee, a business licensed in unincorporated DeKalb would be eligible for up to $500 in total rebates (capped at $100 per device or 50% of a device cost, per the draft), and a resident would be eligible for a single $75 gift card upon proof of purchase of an electric landscape device. Terry said the structure was partly modeled on an existing prepaid gift-card approach the county has used for other small rebate programs.
Commissioners asked whether businesses and residents would receive the same kind of rebate (gift card versus direct payment) and whether the program would be limited to businesses and residents based in unincorporated DeKalb. The proposer and staff said the intent was to serve unincorporated county residents and businesses with county business licenses but deferred some eligibility and funding-source questions to county administration.
Committee members proposed setting an initial program funding cap to limit county exposure in the first year. Commissioner Messiah suggested a $100,000 pilot fund as a starting point for budgeting and asked staff to identify likely funding sources (the proposer indicated unincorporated-county funds were a candidate). Staff also asked that the rebate program’s launch align with any forthcoming county noise ordinance changes so the incentive program is available when any new regulations take effect.
Why it matters: The resolution ties environmental and nuisance goals — reduced noise and emissions — to a local incentive program. Commissioners said a pilot cap and clarifications of eligibility and funding source would be needed before the county commits funds.
What’s next: Staff will return with a budget-cap proposal, funding-source recommendation and confirmed eligibility criteria; the committee did not forward the resolution today.
