East Cobb News

Cobb commissioners to hold special-called meetings Thursday

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Cobb County Government logo

Members of the Cobb Board of Commissioners have been called to attend a special-called meeting and hold an executive session Thursday.

According to a notice filed by County Clerk Pam Mabry, commissioners will gather at 1:30 p.m. Thursday “to vote to go into executive session to discuss matters which may be properly discussed in Executive Session.”

There were no more specifics indicated in that notice, which was sent to East Cobb News by the Cobb communications office in response to more information.

Under Georgia law, elected bodies can hold executive sessions for three reasons: land, legal or property matters, and a specific reason must be stated before the executive session is held.

Cobb commissioners hold three official voting meetings per month: Regular sessions on the second and fourth Tuesday, and a zoning hearing on the third Thursday.

They also typically hold one or two work sessions a month, also in public.

The announcement of Thursday’s meetings comes days after a Cobb judge ruled the Cobb commission’s “home rule” redistricting maps violated the Georgia Constitution, and ordered new elections for commission races in District 2 and District 4.

The lawsuit was filed against the Cobb Board of Elections, which also used the “home rule” maps in the May primaries.

Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said in a response to that ruling on Friday that “I respect the judge’s ruling and we are assessing how to move forward.”

County spokesman Ross Cavitt told East Cobb News in response to a question if the county would appeal by saying that “there has been no discussion at this point about any further legal action.”

In her ruling last Thursday, Cobb Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill was hearing the appeal of Alicia Adams, a Republican who had been disqualified in District 2 after filing to run under maps approved in 2022 by the Georgia General Assembly.

Those maps drew current District 2 Commissioner Jerica Richardson out of her East Cobb home. She and the commission’s two other Democrats voted in October 2022 to observe maps drawn by the Cobb legislative delegation, citing “home rule” privileges.

But Hill confirmed a January ruling by Cobb Superior Court Judge Ann Harris that the “home rule” maps violated the Georgia Constitution, which gives the legislature the authority to conduct reapportionment for county electoral maps.

The county wasn’t a party to Adams’ complaint, but it did appeal a separate lawsuit challenging the “home rule” maps after Harris’ ruling. The Georgia Supreme Court in May declined to take up that appeal, claiming the plaintiffs, a Cobb married couple, lacked standing.

East Cobb resident Mindy Seger, a Democratic activist and ally of current District 2 Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson, challenged Adams qualification under the “home rule” maps.

Since Hill’s ruling, Seger has not indicated whether she may appeal. East Cobb News has left a message seeking comment.

Richardson, who lost in a U.S. Congress primary in May, also has not spoken publicly about the matter since Hill’s ruling.

The special-called meeting Thursday takes place at 1:30 p.m. in the 3rd floor conference room of the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Cobb County Building, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta.

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Cobb jail inmate from East Cobb dies due to health reasons

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Cobb Sheriff's Office
Cobb jail inmate from East Cobb dies due to health reasons

The Cobb Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that an inmate who has been hospitalized routinely with health issues since his arrest in December has died in custody.

Brian Winnie, 62, died Monday afternoon at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital after being taken there last Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s office, which didn’t specify a cause of death.

A release said that Winnie, who was charged with felony theft, cited medical records that “indicated he was facing a recurring, serious health challenge. While in custody, he was routinely transported to the hospital for treatment.”

A booking report showed that Winnie lived at an address off Post Oak Tritt Road.

According to an arrest warrant, Winnie was alleged to have stolen a Mercedes sedan on Nov. 19, 2023, belonging to another individual at that address.

A sheriff’s office booking report indicated Winnie was taken into custody at the Cobb Adult Detention Center on Dec. 19 and was being held on a $6,720 bond.

Court records indicate Winnie was indicted in February by a Cobb Superior Court jury on one count of felony theft by taking, but no other court dates had been scheduled at the time of his death.

“His family was aware of his condition and made medical decisions on his behalf,” the Cobb Sheriff’s Office said in the release.

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Walton HS cheerleaders volunteer for The Sandwich Project

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Walton HS cheerleaders volunteer The Sandwich Project

Christi Vandaveer McCarey, a parent volunteer with the Walton High School Cheer Program, sends along the photos and details of a volunteer project last Tuesday on behalf of The Sandwich Project.

The Atlanta-area non-profit collects sandwiches every week to distribute to the homeless and food insecure, and partners with community organizations to put the meals together.

During the final week of their summer vacation, the Walton cheerleaders gathered in the school cafeteria and made 729 sandwiches.

“Besides a great team bonding experience they learned how these sandwiches will directly impact our local community by filling the gap and providing sandwiches to those around us that are food insecure this summer,” McCarey says.

If you or your organization are interested in helping out, visit The Sandwich Project Atlanta website for more information.

Walton HS cheerleaders volunteer The Sandwich Project

Walton HS cheerleaders volunteer The Sandwich Project

Walton HS cheerleaders volunteer The Sandwich Project

Walton HS cheerleaders volunteer The Sandwich Project

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, July 8-12, 2024

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Indian Hills, East Cobb real estate sales
Indian Hills

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records. They include the street address, subdivision name, high school attendance zone and sales price:

July 8

2008 Eula Drive, 30066 (Kell): $724,251

3501 Montwood Court, 30062 (Shallowford Trace, Lassiter): $610,000

184 Atlanta Country Club Drive, 30067 (Atlanta Country Club, Walton): $3.09 million

504 Reston Mill Lane, 30067 (Sibley on Paper Mill, Wheeler): $2 million

608 Augusta Drive, 30067 (St. Augustine Place, Wheeler): $240,000

181 Shadowlawn Road, 30067 (Fox Hills, Wheeler): $540,000

3065 Brookview Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Wheeler): $800,000

2688 Shadow Bluff Drive, 30062 (Shadowwoods, Pope): $439,000

340 Piedmont Road, 30066 (Sprayberry): $615,000

3198 Wendwood Drive, 30062 (Wendwood, Pope): $493,000

4244 North Mountain Road, 30066 (Highland Pointe, Lassiter): $650,000

4772 Jamerson Creek Court, 30066 (Jamerson Creek, Kell): $409,000

July 9

57 Sewell Lane (lot), 30068 (Sewell Forest Plantation, Wheeler): $215,000

500 Tam O’Shanter Drive, 30067 (The Columns, Walton): $1.85 million

521 Pine Springs Trail, 30067 (Pine Walk, Wheeler): $649,900

2598 Beckwith Trail, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates, Wheeler): $600,000

1150 Rockcrest Drive, 30062 (Blackjack Hills, Sprayberry): $505,000

3401 Liberty Lane, 30062 (Independence Square, Walton): $629,000

3652 McCleskey Drive (lot), 30062 (Shallowford Trickum Crossroads, Lassiter): $215,000

3297 Whitfield Drive, 30062 (Whitfield, Lassiter): $495,000

1834 Condor Drive, 30066 (Falcon Wood, Kell): $412,500

July 10

3704 Heddington Lane, 30062 (Garrison Parc, Lassiter): $1.235 million

2466 Hampton Park Way, 30062 (Hampton Park, Sprayberry): $637,500

4044 Fawn Run, 30068 (Fawn Ridge, Walton): $482,500

1871 Donald Drive, 30066 (Hasty Acres, Sprayberry): $515,000

2652 Shadow Woods Circle, 30062 (Shadowwoods, Pope): $641,000

3334 Pebble Hill Drive, 30062 (Woodbine Station, Lassiter): $607,550

July 11

1844 Mirraview Drive, 30066 (Mirraview, Kell): $590,000

1151 Willow Avenue, 30067 (Sandpiper, Wheeler): $369,000

749 Gardenside Circle, 30067 (Gardenside at Powers Ferry, Wheeler): $450,000

133 Gant Quarters Lane, 30068 (Gant Quarters, Wheeler): $789,000

4414 Blackland Drive (lot), 30067 (Sanders Field Estates, Walton): $1 million

733 Indian Hills Parkway, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $1.7 million

2911 Deerview Trail, 30066 (Caribou Hills, Sprayberry): $522,000

1242 Colony Drive, 30068 (Lake Colony, Walton): $649,000

1687 Shady Hill Road, 30068 (Shady Hill, Walton): $1.35 million

July 12

3635 Fricks Road, 30062 (The Enclave at Cochran, Lassiter): $1.458 million

2978 Treeside Terrace, 30066 (Edgewood East, Lasiter): $1.53 million

632 Willow Ridge Drive, 30068 (Willow Ridge, Wheeler): $528,800

933 Bridgegate Drive, 30068 (Bridgegate, Walton): $710,000

1132 Mitsy Hollow Drive, 30068 (Mitsy Forest, Walton): $615,000

2498 Oakrill Road, 30062 (Cedar Forks, Pope): $470,000

3005 Casteel Road, 30062 (Pope): $470,000

3149 Montana Way, 30066 (Rio Montana, Sprayberry): $415,000

3251 Hembree Court, 30062 (Hembree Hills, Pope): $668,000

3229 Belford Drive, 30066 (Chaucer Place, Sprayberry): $650,000

4851 Willow Creek Drive, 30066 (Willow Creek, Kell): $365,000

4915 Climbing Vine Place, 30066 (Cooks Valley, Lassiter): $650,000

4813 Old Timber Ridge Road, 30068 (Lake Crest Estates, Walton): $1.312 million

4631 Gateside Lane, 30067 (Column Gate, Walton): $1.496 million

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East Cobb schools show gains in 2024 Milestones tests

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Mountain View Elementary School
Mountain View Elementary School students turned in solid Milestones scores in 2023-24.

With dozens of data points, the Georgia Milestones testing results for the 2023-24 academic year present a variety of perspectives on how students at all grade levels performed.

The Georgia Department of Education on Thursday released the comprehensive assessments, which didn’t differ all that much from last year for the 36 public schools in East Cobb.

Students at schools with a pattern of high performance results continued to test well in the End of Grade (elementary and middle) and End of Course (high school) metrics.

Others that have had struggling figures over the years also continued to lag, although there was some progress in spots.

A total of 13 different assessments are measured at the end of each semester, as well as the end of the school year.

(You can read through all the figures at the state education Milestones dashboard).

Georgia Milestones test students in grades 3-8 in English Language Arts and math, in grades 5-8 in those subjects plus science, and those areas plus social studies in grade 8. High school students are tested in American Literature, algebra, biology and U.S. history.

Students are categorized in one of four levels, based on those test scores: Level 1 is Beginning Learner, Level 2 is a Developing Learner, Level 3 is a Proficient Learner and Level 4 is Distinguished Learner.

The Georgia DOE said in a release that math scores will be released in the fall, after new math standards were implemented during the 2023-24 school year.

Across the state, ELA, reading and science scores were up modestly, according to a release. More:

“The percentage of students achieving the Proficient Learner level or above increased or held steady on 10 of 13 End of Grade (EOG) and End of Course (EOC) assessments.”

Those are among metrics that we’re highlighting in the tables below from East Cobb schools. Another key indicator that’s getting extra emphasis since COVID-19 are third-grade reading scores.

The Cobb County School District said in a release Thursday that 78.2 percent of students tested at all grade levels  and across all subjects surpassed their peers in other metro Atlanta school districts.

The district said reading levels “increased substantially” in third, fifth, sixth and eighth grades, while English Language Arts grades were also up modestly from 2023.

Cobb high school students outperformed the state average in U.S. History testing by 17 percent, and in biology by 13.9 percent.

What follows is a sampling of only a few metrics lines that comprise Milestones. Another link to the full dashboard can be found here, and where you can download spreadsheets and other data by school, school district and the state.

3rd Grade Reading

# Students Tested % Grade Level or Above
Addison 99 86.9
Bells Ferry 146 67.8
Blackwell 101 64.6
Brumby 104 59.9
Davis 105 90.5
East Side 181 92.8
Eastvalley 96 70.8
Garrison Mill 122 90.2
Keheley 52 86.5
Kincaid 112 83.0
Mt. Bethel 174 92.5
Mountain View 116 91.4
Murdock 158 93.0
Nicholson 51 82.4
Powers Ferry 76 57.9
Rocky Mount 87 96.2
Sedalia Park 107 54.2
Shallowford Falls 104 93.3
Sope Creek 187 93.6
Timber Ridge 82 96.3
Tritt 146 91.8

8th grade English Language Arts

# Tested % Proficient Learners + Above % Distinguished Learners
Daniell 297 47.8 10.4
Dickerson 359 81.9 43.7
Dodgen 419 75.9 32.0
East Cobb 460 42.6 10.9
Hightower Trail 334 76.9 32.0
Mabry 298 72.8 28.9
McCleskey 188 59.0 20.7
Simpson 273 73.6 30.4

High School American Lit & Comp

# Tested % Proficient Learners + Above % Distinguished Learners
Kell 409 60.1 13.9
Lassiter 489 81.0 29.9
Pope 432 80.1 29.2
Sprayberry 481 52.0 10.6
Walton 683 89.9 37.3
Wheeler 630 57.8 23.0

High School Biology

# Tested % Proficient Learners + Above % Distinguished Learners
Kell 432 61.6 13.7
Lassiter 516 84.7 41.3
Pope 419 82.8 28.2
Sprayberry 392 57.1 13.3
Walton 1,119 86.7 39.5
Wheeler 555 61.1 30.8

High School U.S. History

# Tested % Proficient Learners & Above % Distinguished Learners
Kell 328 67.1 17.7
Lassiter 333 82.0 37.8
Pope 227 80.2 25.1
Sprayberry 389 58.1 16.5
Walton 413 87.9 34.1
Wheeler 468 53.0 16.0

Cobb Youth Leadership announces 2024-25 class members

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Cobb Youth Leadership (CYL), a development program for high school juniors and sponsored by the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, has announced the members of its 2024-2025 class.Cobb Chamber of Commerce

A total of 54 students have been selected, including the following from high schools in East Cobb:

  • Amol Balakrishnan, Lassiter High School
  • Arvind Balakrishnan, Wheeler High School
  • Anya Dhir, Walton High School
  • Lila Fraley, Wheeler High School
  • Marie Hable, Wheeler High School
  • Sophie Hortman, Lassiter High School
  • Thomas Linton, Pope High School
  • Madison Lockhart, Pope High School
  • Sameel Mistri, Wheeler High School
  • Brody Tanner, Johnson Ferry Christian Adcemy
  • Leo Waldron, Walton High School

Orientation begins on Monday, followed by a fall retreat in August and monthly program activities until graduation in April, 2025.

Here’s more from the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, which oversees CYL, about the program:

Created in 1989, the program provides students a unique opportunity to learn about their community, develop leadership skills, as well as meet and interact with students from other high schools. Students attending public or private high schools or home-school students must complete and submit an application for CYL in the spring of their sophomore year. Students participate in the program during their junior year of high school.

Allan Bishop, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Julie Peck, Hub International, will be Co-Chairs for the 2024-2025 program year. Tripp Boyer, Boyer Ramey Wealth Management, and Luci Hogue, Scotland Wright Associates, will be the Vice Co-Chairs for the 2024-2025 program year. The 2024-2025 class theme is “Connected in Leadership.”

Thank you to Yearlong Presenting Sponsor, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Youth Champion Sponsor, Six Flags Over Georgia.

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Cobb school bus safety reminders for motorists and students

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The Cobb County School District’s 2024-25 academic year begins on Thursday, and both the district and Cobb County government have been rounding up information related to bus transportation.Cobb school bus safety reminders for motorists and students

Foremost among those reminders is a new Georgia law that went into effect July 1 that makes it a “high and aggravated misdemeanor” to pass a stopped school bus.

The minimum fine is $1,000 and the maximum penalty is up to 12 months in jail.

“When the violation is caught by school bus-mounted cameras it is punishable by a civil fine of not less than $1,000,” according to information released this week by Cobb County government.

Some other tips to remember as buses will be back out on the roads:

  • Yellow flashing lights mean the school bus is slowing down and about to stop.
  • Red flashing lights and the extended stop arm mean children are boarding or exiting the bus. Motorists must come to a complete stop a safe distance from the bus. They must wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is retracted, and the bus starts moving again before they return to their drive.
  • Children alongside the road might dart into traffic without looking. Motorists are responsible for watching out for them and preparing for an emergency stop.
  • Motorists should drive more slowly if they see children beside the road or a bus nearby.

Cobb government also has provided links to new videos showing motorists how to stop for buses, depending on the type of road:

The Cobb school district has more specific information about finding bus routes, downloading its “Here Comes the Bus” mobile app and other transportation details to follow throughout the school year.

A special FAQ page has even more, including several links pertaining to transportation needs for special-needs students.

One other handy tip for the start of the school year: Students are allowed to bring water bottles on the buses in August and September, in containers with a screw-on lid.

For more information contact the Cobb school district’s transportation department at 678-594-8000.

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New Cobb commission elections ordered in redistricting ruling

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New Cobb commission elections ordered in redistricting ruling
Alicia Adams speaking at a recent Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting.

New elections to fill two seats on the Cobb Board of Commissioners were ordered on Thursday by a Cobb Superior Court judge, who threw out recent primary results in deciding a long-standing electoral map dispute.

Judge Kellie Hill said in her ruling that the May 21 primaries as well as a June runoff for one of the seats were conducted using electoral maps that violate the Georgia Constitution.

She said the commission’s Democratic majority was not authorized to approve “home rule” maps in 2022 that were used by the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration this year because reapportionment is a function of the Georgia legislature.

Hill said that special primaries and special elections for seats in District 2—which had included some of East Cobb—and District 4 in South Cobb will be necessary following the November elections, using maps approved by the General Assembly in 2022.

She waited until after the Georgia Supreme Court threw out a separate lawsuit on a technicality in May to hear a different complaint against the Cobb elections board.

In her decision Thursday, Hill ruled on an appeal by a Republican candidate, Alicia Adams, who had been disqualified for the District 2 race under the home rule maps.

(You can read Hill’s ruling by clicking here.)

Adams lives within those boundaries under the legislative maps, but East Cobb resident Mindy Seger, a Democratic activist and ally of current District 2 Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson, challenged her qualification under the home rule maps.

The elections board ruled Adams didn’t qualify under the home rule maps.

Hill referenced a ruling in January by Cobb Superior Court Judge Ann Harris in another case that the home rule maps were unconstitutional.

“The Court, having ruled the Home Rule Map unconstitutional in the companion appeal finds the Plaintiff has a clear legal right to seek qualification for the Cobb County Commission, Post 2, using the Legislative Map, if qualified, to run for a special primary in that post,” Hill states in the ruling.

“The Court finds that the Plantiff is entitled to a writ of mandamus requiring the Cobb BOER to cease using the Home Rule Map for future elections and qualification purposes” as well as requiring the special elections.

The Cobb elections board said in a statement Friday that it would schedule those elections “as soon as practicable afterwards” but didn’t indicate when that might be.

Proposed Cobb commission redistricting map
The Cobb “home rule” maps included some of East Cobb in District 2 (in pink) in an election that was on the May primary ballot.

Most voters in East Cobb who cast ballots in the District 2 primary and runoff will not be able to do so in the special elections because the legislative-approved maps are now in force.

Democrat Jaha Howard, a former member of the Cobb Board of Education, won a Democratic runoff in District 2. The only Republican on the primary ballot was Pamela Reardon of East Cobb.

But Reardon won’t be able to run in the special election because she lives in District 3 under the legislative maps.

The legislative maps have most of East Cobb in District 3, represented by Republican JoAnn Birrell. District 2 includes most of the Cumberland-Smyrna-Vinings area, as well as the I-75 corridor north to Marietta and the Town Center area.

 

The commission Democrats decided to test the home rule provision after Cobb Republican legislators ignored maps drawn up by the Democrat-led county legislative delegation that would have kept Jerica Richardson, one of those Democrats, in her seat.

The legislative maps drew Richardson out of her home in East Cobb, and commissioners voted 3-2 along partisan lines in October 2022 to follow the delegation maps.

Cobb GOP BOC redistricting map
Cobb commission maps passed by the Georgia legislature include most of East Cobb in District 3 (gold).

In a statement issued Friday, the Cobb elections board said that Hill’s order “confirmed the Board of Elections’ long stated position that it did not have authority to declare the Home Rule Map resolution unconstitutional of its own accord.”

With the legal issues pending, Richardson ran for Congress in May, but lost in the Democratic primary to U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath in the 6th District.

Howard was one of five Democrats running in the primary to succeed Richardson, along with former State Rep. Erick Allen, who drew up what became known as the home rule maps.

In District 4, current first-term Democratic commissioner Monique Sheffield won the May primary, and was facing no Republican opposition in November.

But she’ll have to qualify and run again in the new special primary and election for that seat.

Those are the only two district seats up this year. The race for Cobb Commission Chair is unaffected, since it’s countywide. Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Cupid is seeking a second term against Republican Kay Morgan in November.

The terms of the commission’s two Republicans, Birrell and Keli Gambrill—an initial plaintiff in the lawsuit thrown out by the Georgia Supreme Court—run through 2026.

Cupid said in a statement on Friday that “I respect the judge’s ruling and we are assessing how to move forward.”

Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt told East Cobb News later Friday in response to a question if the county would appeal by saying that “there has been no discussion at this point about any further legal action.”

It remains unclear what would happen when the District 2 and District 4 terms expire at the end of the year, since elections are unlikely to be called before then.

And it’s also uncertain if Richardson will have to step down before her term expires at the end of the year, since district commissioners must reside within those boundaries.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Green Coyote Cantina; Mezza Luna; more

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Green Coyote Cantina, East Cobb Food Scores

The following food scores have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

A Delightful Bitefull Catering
2217 Roswell Road, Suite B1
July 23, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
3460 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 110
July 25, 2024 Score: 90, Grade: A

Chaska
1836 Lower Roswell Road
July 25, 2024 Score: 84, Grade: B

Green Coyote Cantina
255 Village Parkway, Suite 330
July 23, 2024 Score: 85, Grade: B

GTC Merchants Walk Cinema
1301 Johnson Ferry Road
July 26, 2024 Score: 99, Grade: A

Johnny’s Pizza
2970 Canton Road
July 23, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Mezza Luna
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2198
July 22, 2024 Score: 90, Grade: A

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Cobb FY 2025 budget, millage rate adopted amid tax relief pleas

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Cobb FY 2025 budget adopted

The outcome was as predictable as the calls to do otherwise.

After hearing homeowners begging for tax relief for several hours, the Cobb Board of Commissioners voted along party lines Tuesday night to adopt a fiscal year 2025 budget and millage rate that includes substantial spending increases.

They held the general fund, fire fund and other millage rates from the present fiscal year 2024 budget.

But the new $1.3 billion budget means property owners will still be paying more in taxes due to rising assessments.

At two public hearings Tuesday night—one for the millage rates and the other for the budget proposal—citizens pleaded with commissioners to “roll back” the property tax rates.

The new budget includes a 9 percent increase in spending, and $41.3 million more in general fund increases along, mostly to pay for public safety salaries and benefits.

Overall spending across all funds is $63.7 million.

(More budget information can be found by clicking here.)

The three Democrats who make up the majority voted in favor, while the two Republicans voted against.

But there was little discussion before those votes were cast.

Some citizens said their assessments have gone up by much more, exceeding 30 percent in some cases, and causing an undue burden with inflation.

As in the two previous hearings, Tuesday’s hearing included pleas from citizens to find ways to cut spending.

“Stop DeKalbing us. Stop Fultonizing us,” said Alicia Adams, a Republican who’s challenging her removal as a commission candidate in a continuing legal dispute over electoral maps. “We’re Cobb County.

“Our money isn’t your money. Live by a budget. Our family does, so you need to too.”

Cobb resident Hugh Norris noted earlier during the hearing that the Austell City Council rejected a budget that included a 106 percent property tax increase, with only the mayor left to defend it.

“The constituents showed up, and apparently, the city of Austell, city council members remembered that they’re supposed to represent their constituents. . . . So far every single speaker has been against this, so we shall see where you all shake out.”

Because the millage rate didn’t roll back to fiscal year 2024 spending, the state considers that a tax increase, and the county had to advertise and hold three public hearings.

The general fund millage rate of 8.46 would have to be rolled back to 7.761 mills to meet 2024 spending, and the fire fund of 2.99 would have to be rolled back to 2.8 mills.

GOP commissioner Keli Gambrill referenced voter frustrations going back to 2018, when a previous board voted to increase the millage rate.

She said at the time, the county didn’t have much in funding reserves, “we are not in that position today.

“That is where the people are upset not many of them can have money in the bank earning the interest like the county is. This is where some of the frustration is. . . . We’re collecting more money than we should.”

Applause broke out when she said that, but Gambrill’s Democratic colleagues were unswayed.

Cobb chief financial officer Bill Volckmann presented a list of budget items passed last year that represent $16.5 million this year, and are long-term obligations.

Chairwoman Lisa Cupid read them aloud, and later extended her remarks to claim that the increases are needed to catch up with years of underfunding operations, and to pay for public safety overtime due to staffing shortages.

County department heads requested 380 new positions, but the FY 2025 budget includes only five.

Cupid said “I personally don’t care for” a higher tax bill, but that Cobb operates at a lower millage rate than most local governments in metro Atlanta.

“The significant wins” of Cobb government, Cupid added, are done largely on the backs of county employees.

“They try their best to serve you, with the limited dollars they have. . . Cobb County is known for providing stellar service, and we’d love to do it for free. But you and I both know it doesn’t operate like that.”

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, July 1-5, 2024

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Bishop Claude, East Cobb real estate sales
Bishop Claude

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records. They include the street address, subdivision name, high school attendance zone and sales price:

July 1

2114 Wyeth Walk, 30062 (Chadds Ford, Pope): $595,000

3561 Woodshire Trail, 30066 (Northampton, Pope): $865,000

1932 Jamerson Road, 30066 (Kell): $632,000

1603 Lake Holcomb Lane, 30062 (Holcomb Lake Village, Sprayberry): $555,000

985 Grey Village Way, 30068 (Greystone Village at East Cobb, Wheeler): $760,000

3329 Chastain Ridge Drive, 30066 (Chastain Ridge, Sprayberry): $650,000

2830 Cottonwood Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills, Sprayberry): $430,000

786 Gardenside Circle, 30067 (Gardenside at Powers Ferry, Wheeler):$475,000

3075 Gant Quarters Circle, 30068 (Gant Quarters, Wheeler): $789,000

1661 Canton Hills Circle, 30062 (Canton Hills. Pope): $475,000

1902 East Piedmont Road, 30062 (Sprayberry): $629,000

3702 Hembree Lane, 30062 (Hembree Hills, Pope): $485,000

4504 South Landing Drive, 30066 (North Landing, Kell): $444,000

4353 Highborne Drive, 30066 (Highland Pointe, Lassiter): $1.091 million

1738 West Point Circle, 30068 (Jacksons Creek, Walton): $685,000

July 2

3200 Palisades Court, 30067 (Park Place, Wheeler): $615,000

2895 Torreya Way, 30067 (The Woods Condos, Wheeler): $282,700

1800 Millview Drive, 30062 (Barnes Mill Lake, Wheeler): $345,000

4352 Hampton Woods Drive, 30068 (Hampton Woods, Walton): $1.075 million

3165 Wicks Creek Trail, 30062 (Wicks Creek, Pope): $717,000

1904 East Piedmont Road, 30062 (Sprayberry): $460,000

2691 Arbor Glen Place, 30066 (Arbor Glen, Sprayberry): $312,000

2011 Shadowwood Drive, 30066 (Shadowwood, Sprayberry): 4450,000

4361 Stockton Terrace, 30066 (Stocktons Ford, Lassiter): $440,500

1658 West Point Place, 30068 (Jacksons Creek, Walton): $927,000

328 Tiger Lily Court, 30067 (Woodlawn Park, Walton): $980,000

July 3

4755 Blisston Street, 30066 (Everleigh, Lassiter): $950,000

2134 Winslow Cottage Circle, 30062 (Village Green at East Cobb, Sprayberry): $680,000

251 Brighton Way, 30066 (Huntington Woods, Sprayberry): $400,000

1929 Brownridge Drive, 30062 (Brownridge, Pope): $617,000

4435 Spring Circle, 30062 (Bishop Claude, Walton): $600,000

3873 Seven Dials Court, 30062 (Wesley Hills, Lassiter): 4475,000

1392 East Bank Drive, 30068 (Willow Point, Walton): $565,000

4569 Pond Lane, 30063 (Chimney Springs, Pope): $620,000

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Cobb FY 2025 budget and millage rates set for adoption

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Cobb FY 2025 budget and millage rates set for adoption
East Cobb resident Jan Barton holds up a sign at a public hearing Wednesday for the proposed Cobb fiscal year 2025 budget.

Cobb commissioners are scheduled to adopt the fiscal year 2025 budget for Cobb County government as well as the 2024 millage rate on Tuesday.

The budget proposal that was presented earlier this month calls for $1.27 billion in spending, $41.3 million increase in the general fund from the current fiscal year 2024 budget, and holding the line on the general fund millage rate at 8.46 mills.

That constitutes a tax increase under state law, since there is no proposed “rollback” millage rate to match current spending levels.

Commissioners have held two of three required public hearings on the budget, with the final hearing set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee St., Marietta.

The property tax revenues in the proposed budget are a 9 percent increase from fiscal year 2024.

A number of citizens have asked commissioners to reduce the millage rate due to rising property tax assessments.

On Wednesday during a special-called public hearing on the budget, they held up graphics showing how the costs of daily living have gone up for citizens.

“Lower the millage, otherwise it is a nine percent increase,” said East Cobb resident Jan Barton.

“The only thing down is weekly average earnings. Your decisions are putting people out of their homes.”

Maria Cooper, who said she’s on a fixed income, rattled off household costs that have gone up for her and asked for the millage rate to be rolled back. “I don’t want to be pushed out of Cobb County,” she said.

The overall proposed budget includes $63.7 million in new spending, with an additional $14.7 million for the fire fund, with a proposed millage rate to remain the same at 2.99 mills.

Only five new positions would be created in the FY 2025 budget, whittled down from 382 requests for new jobs from department heads.

Also in the proposed budget is a reduction in the amount of Cobb Water System revenues to the general fund, from six percent to five percent.

The Cobb finance department has created a presentation (click here ) breaking down how property taxes are divided, what general fund revenues pay for, and “how the county will spend this year’s budget growth.”

During the Wednesday hearings, resident Sue Marshall held up a copy of the budget brochure and said the county could have done a better job of informing the public of the meeting.

A Cobb resident since 1977, she said previous commissions held town halls and actively asked for public feedback.

“But you’re not doing that,” she said. “You want to raise taxes and keep up with the Joneses and be more like DeKalb and the city of Atlanta.”

Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid responded to some of the commenters.

“It’s very difficult for all of us, for my family, to know how much we’re paying,” she said. “A lot of this is being driven by fair-market [home] values. We are not building houses to the rate of demand.”

Cupid said commissioners have a duty to be stewards in maintaining basic county operations. Two-thirds of the additional revenues for FY 2025 will be paying for public safety salaries and benefits.

“You said we should value public safety and we do,” she said. “If this budget does not pass we won’t be able to sustain the raises that we’ve recently provided for those who are sworn officers.”

More budget information can be found by clicking here.

The full agenda for Tuesday’s meeting can be found by clicking here.

You also can watch on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

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Cobb school board adopts millage rate for FY 2025

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The Cobb Board of Education voted Thursday night to hold the property tax millage rate for schools added reserve funds to the adopted fiscal year 2025 budget.Campbell High School lockdown

Despite public speakers asking for a rollback, the board voted 6-0 without discussion—with vice chairman David Banks of East Cobb voted present—to maintain a tax rate of 18.7 mills.

The motion included a provision to add $1.258 million to the previously adopted fiscal year 2025 budget of $1.8 billion due to less-than-anticipated growth in the 2024 Cobb tax digest.

During a work session Thursday, Brad Johnson, the chief financial officer for the Cobb County School District, asked board members for the additional funding to reach a balanced budget.

The new budget, which went into effect July 1, is up 8.73 percent increase from fiscal year 2024 (nearly $55 million) and includes across-the-board staff pay raises.

Johnson said the initial estimate for tax digest growth from the Cobb Tax Assessor’s Office was 7.56 percent higher than 2023, but the final estimate turned out to be 7.32 million.

The $1.258 million, taken from the general fund balance, represents the difference in those two figures.

He and Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said during the work session the district is preparing for the effects of a possible recession in the coming months, and using fund balance may be necessary.

It’s why Ragsdale last week asked the board to cancel a planned $50 million special-events facility that would have been paid for in part with fund balance dollars.

“We have to make sure we have the fund balance to last through a recession,” Ragsdale said, recounting how those monies were used during the recession in 2008-9.

Even then, there were staffing cuts and hiring and salary freezes he said he didn’t want to repeat should there be another recession.

District officials said cutting back the millage rate would lead to layoffs in what they have termed an “employee-centric” budget.

At the final tax digest hearing before Thursday night’s vote, four citizens spoke in favor of rolling back the millage rate to meet fiscal year 2024 revenues, a “rollback rate” of 17.199 mills.

Eliza Consliglio, the parent of a son in the Cobb school district, was among them.

She said her property tax assessments and those of others she knows are up 25-30 percent over last year.

“I know the schools need money,” she said, “but there are people who are hurting more than we are.”

Patricia Hay agreed.

“People are hurting, the economy is bad, and prices are up,” she said. “You know all this. I’m just asking to do the right thing.”

In 2024, the board reduced the millage rate to 18.7 mills, after the Cobb school district levied a millage rate of 18.9 mills from 2007-23.

That was done to offset rising assessments. Banks, who is retiring from office at the end of 2024, voted present last year, saying he wanted a larger millage rate reduction.

He didn’t explain his reason for voting present on Thursday.

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Cobb Chamber accepting 2024 Citizen of the Year nominations

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Cobb Chamber accepting 2024 Citizen of the Year nominations
Irene Barton, center, the 2023 East Cobb Area Council Citizen of the Year, with Cobb Chamber of Commerce leadership.

Submitted information:

The Cobb Chamber is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Citizen of the Year Awards. The Citizen of the Year Awards, created by Cobb County civic clubs and co-sponsored by the Cobb Chamber Area Councils and Cobb County business associations, have annually been presented to extraordinary individuals for the work they have done in Cobb County.

Awards are given to deserving individuals based on nine local area nominations: Acworth, Austell, Cumberland, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Mableton, Marietta, Powder Springs, Smyrna, Town Center, and West Cobb. Given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model, these outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live.

Nominations are now open through Friday, August 30 at https://tinyurl.com/z5p6rr2d. Thank you Presenting Sponsor, Capital City Bank. For more information on the Citizen of the Year Awards, contact Katie Guice at 770-859-2334 or kguice@cobbchamber.org. 

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Pope Band to hold recycling fundraiser in August

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Pope Band to hold recycling fundraiser in August
For a larger view, click here.

Submitted information and graphic:

ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT POPE HIGH SCHOOL BAND!
We accept metal, electronics, appliances, glass, and paper shredding while you watch!! DONATION $15 per car + disposal fees. Metal items are FREE w/donation (excluding large items). A complete list of fees + more details can be found on our website: http://www.popeband.com/recycle.html
Onsite Payment can be made in cash, credit card, or check payable to PBPA.
Pick-Up services may be offered, WITH ADVANCE RESERVATION, within a 5-mile radius of Pope HS, based on truck and volunteer availability. (Sorry, for your security – NO document pick-ups)!
**RESERVATION IS REQUIRED** for pick up and payment must be made in full by cash or check (no credit cards) at time of pick up. These slots are very limited. To make a reservation for residential or business pick up, please visit our website at
http://www.popeband.com/recycle.html
Business Pick-Up Fee: $100 plus any TV, monitor, laptop, large item or paint charges.
Residential Pick-Up Fee. $50 plus any TV, monitor, laptop, large item or paint charges.
Questions? Contact popebandrecycling@gmail.com and/or visit http://www.popeband.com/recycle.html 

East Cobb UMC to hold ‘EC Olympics’ fall kickoff event

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East Cobb UMC to hold 'EC Olympics' fall kickoff event

Submitted information:

Get ready for an unforgettable day of fun, fellowship, and celebration at East Cobb United Methodist Church! We’re excited to announce our Fall Kickoff event on Sunday, August 11, immediately following worship at 12:30 PM. This year’s theme is the East Cobb UMC Olympics, and we have a fantastic lineup of activities planned for everyone to enjoy.

Test your skills and compete in a variety of fun and engaging games designed for all ages and abilities. Mark your calendars, register your family, and get ready for a day full of fun, fellowship, and celebration at the East Cobb UMC Fall Kickoff. We can’t wait to see you there!

East Cobb United Methodist Church, 2325 Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30062

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East Cobb Food Scores: Reunion Kitchen; Cafe Rivkah; more

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Reunion Kitchen and Bar opens

The following food scores have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Cafe Rivkah
2100 Roswell Road, Suie 2104
July 18, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

Completos Burger
2852 Delk Road, Suite 215
July 16, 2024 Score: 87, Grade: B

Dogwood Catering of Marietta
4961 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 125
July 19, 2024 Score: 97, Grade: A

Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins
2885 Canton Road
July 16, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Empire Care Center
4360 Johnson Ferry Road
July 17, 2024 Score: 96, Grade: A

Frankie’s
3085 Canton Road
July 18, 2024 Score: 88, Grade: B

J. Christopher’s
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 500
July 16, 2024 Score: 99, Grade: A
(This is a reinspection after a failing report on July 3)

JMZ 
4400 Roswell Road
July 19, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Katana Sushi Hibachi
4400 Roswell Road, Suite 152
July 18, 2024 Score: 83, Grade: B

Mediterranean Grill
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 15
July 18, 2024 Score: 85, Grade: B

Reunion Kitchen & Bar
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 16
July 18, 2024 Score: 96, Grade: A

Ruby Tuesday
2435 Delk Road
July 17, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

Wendy’s
3035 Canton Road
July 16, 2024 Score: 88, Grade: B

Wendy’s
1312 Johnson Ferry Road
July 16, 2024 Score: 96, Grade: A

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Richardson to hold ‘taxpayer clinic’ and budget session

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From the office of Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson:Lower Roswell Road project delayed again

I am pleased to invite you to Commissioner Richardson’s special Community Chat on the FY25 Budget, which is tomorrow, July 18 at 6:30pm.

The event will kick off with an in-person “Taxpayer Clinic” from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. at Sewell Mill Library [2051 Lower Roswell Road] in the Community Room. Commissioner Richardson will offer to individually review your tax bill and answer any questions you may have about a line item. Please bring a copy of your 2024 property tax bill with you if you plan to attend the clinic.

Then, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Commissioner Richardson will host a virtual Community Chat to focus on the FY25 Budget. We strongly encourage you to attend this informative event to gain a deeper understanding of the budget and share your thoughts/ideas.

Please note that the Community Chat will be held virtually via Zoom. You must register in advance to receive the Zoom meeting link.

Click here to register: https://form.typeform.com/to/ExccWdv5

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KIDS Care, Cobb Police culminate school supply drive

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Submitted information:Cobb Kids Care food drive

KIDS CARE and the Cobb County Police Department are excited to announce the 4th annual Backpack and School Supply Drive. The program collects new backpacks and school supplies for Cobb county students in need. Donations will be accepted through July 20.
Donation drop-off locations/times:
  • All 5 Cobb County police precincts and Police Headquarters, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily through July 20.
  • Cobb Civic Center from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at an event co-hosted by Keep Cobb Beautiful, at 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta.
Over the last three years, the organization donated 1,374 new backpacks with school supplies. Donations can also be made on the KIDS CARE website.

Cobb school board to hold retreat, adopt FY ’25 millage rate

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The Cobb Board of Education will discuss some academic subjects on Thursday as part of a long day and night of public meetings.Campbell High School lockdown

According to an agenda item, the board will meet for a retreat Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to receive presentations on literacy, dyslexia and prisms math.

The agenda also calls for a board policy process update, if time allows, but the agenda item wasn’t more specific.

That meeting takes place in the board room of the Cobb County School District’s central office (514 Glover St., Marietta).

The retreat will be followed by a work session at 2:30, an executive session and a final public hearing on the millage rate for the fiscal year 2025 budget.

That public hearing starts at 6:30, and a voting session with millage rate adoption scheduled for 7 p.m. (agenda for all public meetings here).

The board in May adopted a fiscal year 2025 budget of $1.8 billion, but must adopt a millage rate after the Cobb Tax Digest is revealed in July.

An agenda item notes that the board will be asked to “adjust” the adopted budget figure because the final tax digest was less than anticipated.

“Specifically, the total revenue is decreasing and budgeted expenditures are unchanged,” the agenda item states. “The difference will be funded from the district’s fund balance.”

That budget was based on a proposed property tax rate of 18.7 mills, the same as last year. But because the budget is an 8.73 percent increase from fiscal year 2024, that constitutes a tax increase under state law, and the board is required to hold public hearings.

Only two speakers turned out for last week’s public hearings, with one of them noting that the Republican board members are not paying school taxes. They are eligible for the senior tax exemption from Cobb school taxes.

The rollback millage rate to match FY 2024 spending would be 17.199 mills.

The work session agenda includes a review of a report by Cognia, the school district’s accrediting agency, but an agenda item didn’t disclose any details.

The open meetings also will be live-streamed on the Cobb County School District’s BoxCast channel and on CobbEdTV, Comcast Channel 24.

The executive session, which is limited to land, legal, personnel and student discipline matters, is closed to the public.

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