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Committee advances strengthened scrap‑tire ordinance; staff outlines recycling solicitation and enforcement plan
Summary
DeKalb County staff presented a substitute to the solid‑waste code to curb illegal scrap‑tire dumping, including a two‑agency compliance model, a county recycling solicitation (released 05/18/2026) and potential Flock camera deployment; commissioners supported the ordinance and approved it in committee.
DeKalb County’s IRPS committee advanced a substitute ordinance intended to tighten enforcement and administrative processes for illegal scrap‑tire dumping, and staff described parallel administrative initiatives to reduce dumping at the source.
The ordinance substitute would amend DeKalb County Code Chapter 22, Article 4 (sections 22‑63, 22‑66, 22‑67, 22‑68 and 22‑69) to strengthen reporting, licensing and penalties for scrap‑tire handlers and to improve enforcement for illegal dumping. County staff said the changes reflect months of interdepartmental work and align public‑works intake and manifest tracking with code‑compliance enforcement responsibilities.
Nicole Sims of the CEO’s office told commissioners the compliance initiative includes a master tracking list of tire‑handling businesses, a two‑step reminder schedule for late reports, and a quarterly reporting and manifest‑verification process. Sims said the county released its first scrap‑tire recycling solicitation on May 18, 2026, with proposals due Aug. 20, 2026, and that DeKalb Police are assessing deployment of Flock camera surveillance at repetitive illegal‑dumping locations.
Staff described roles: Public Works will serve as the intake and tracking hub, receiving and verifying manifests and sending compliance reminders; Code Compliance will open cases, conduct on‑site inspections and pursue enforcement remedies. The ordinance also ties into business‑license checks so that haulers and processors are audited for proper handling.
Commissioner Terry praised the ordinance’s focus on business licensing and raised a practical enforcement question about the penalty structure. Terry noted the text allows an enforcement officer discretion for a single tire—an initial written warning—and points out that other sections allow a first actual violation to carry a fine up to $500 or up to 30 days imprisonment. Staff said discretion is intended for minor, single‑tire incidents and that more serious or continuing violations would trigger full penalties and enforcement procedures.
Commissioner Robert Patrick asked how the county would coordinate with municipalities; staff said the ordinance is designed as a strong local model and that preliminary conversations have occurred with neighboring jurisdictions including Gwinnett, Cobb and Fulton. The committee voted by voice to approve the substitute and to recommend it for full board action.
Staff said the ordinance will be implemented alongside ongoing administrative steps, including the recycling solicitation, manifest tracking and targeted surveillance at repeat dumping sites.
