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.”
Related:
- Cobb revokes health spa license for Canton Road business
- Cobb Water System probing Lake Allatoona wastewater spills
- Proposed Cobb FY 2025 budget raises property taxes
- Cobb approves $7M Lower Roswell Road project
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