Avondale, Decatur annexations closer to reality

The proposals to extend the borders of Avondale Estates and Decatur cleared a major hurdle Tuesday, when the sponsor of the annexations snagged enough supporters to introduce the bills.

Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield secured 10 signatures of fellow Dekalb County lawmakers, the local rule to allow bills to drop. The twin bills -- which would allow Decatur to annex 10 properties and Avondale 23, to meet at Sams Crossing- will be read and assigned to the intergovernmental affairs committee on Wednesday.

Once the committee affirms the bills comply with local rules, they could be bundled with several other local bills and voted on, as early as Friday, Benfield said.

Even so, the measure would then go to the Senate, for review by that delegation and vote by the whole body.