DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A proposal to offer rebates for switching from gas-powered leaf blowers to electric models sparked a heated debate among DeKalb County commissioners before ultimately being rejected.

Commissioners spent approximately 45 minutes debating the ordinance, which was introduced by Commissioner Ted Terry.

“The proposal here would simply have a $100,000 pilot program. It’s pretty straightforward, offer it to businesses that are landscape companies in Dekalb County, and individual homeowners,” Terry said.

The proposed program would have provided rebates to DeKalb County homeowners and landscaping businesses that switched from gas-powered leaf blowers to electric alternatives.

Terry said he introduced the ordinance because of concerns about pollution from gas-powered equipment.

“The reason why I brought forward this ordinance is that gas powered leaf blowers and other implements are incredibly polluting,” Terry said.

The discussion grew tense as commissioners repeatedly interrupted one another and exchanged accusations of disrespect.

“There you go silencing dissent, every chance they get,” one commissioner said.

Another commissioner responded, “It’s actually insults.”

At another point during the debate, a commissioner questioned being interrupted while speaking.

“Why are you cutting me off? I have one minute left, what’s the big deal?” the commissioner asked.

The discussion also included disagreements over how commissioners were addressing one another.

“What we cannot handle is insulting each other,” one commissioner said.

Despite Terry’s efforts to gain support for the proposal, commissioners voted 5-2 to reject the ordinance.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Keith Cromwell contributed to this story.