By D. Harvey
Despite a strong turnout of public commenters demanding a rollback of the millage rate and a reduction in the general fund budget, the Democrat-majority Cobb County Board of Commissioners, led by Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, ignored these concerns and voted to pass a $1.3 billion budget while keeping the millage rate unchanged. Many residents voiced their worries about skyrocketing housing prices, inflation, and increasing healthcare costs. Additionally, questions were raised about the county spending $5 million on consultants’ fees for various questionable projects. “The people of Cobb just can’t afford another tax increase,” one commenter stated.
The budget and millage rate votes fell along partisan lines, with a 3-2 split. Republican Commissioners Keli Gambrill and JoAnn Birrell opposed both measures. “We’re collecting more money than we should,” Gambrill emphasized.
The general fund millage rate and the fire fund millage rate remained steady at 8.46 mills and 2.99 mills, respectively. While the tax rate remains unchanged, rising home values will bring in an additional $22.6 million in general fund property tax revenue, increasing from $365.5 million to $388.1 million. The fire fund will also see a significant increase, collecting $11.7 million more than last year, rising from $138.7 million to $150.4 million. The proposed tax increase for the owner of a $450,000 home is estimated to be $119, according to the county.
To maintain the same amount of property tax revenue as last year, the county would need to lower the general fund millage rate to 7.761 mills and the fire fund millage rate to 2.807 mills. Cobb’s general fund millage rate has remained the same since 2018 when then-Chairman Mike Boyce increased it by 1.7 mills.
Bill Volckmann, the county’s chief financial officer, noted that the budget includes $16.5 million in “impact items”—which affect future budgets—approved by the board for fiscal year 2024. Chairwoman Cupid detailed these impact items before the board voted on the millage rate. “Just looking at numbers on a page truly don’t make sense, but if you have an opportunity to see what is tied to those numbers, there may be some clarity,” Cupid said. She conceded that most of these decisions were made by the majority of the board, not the entire board. One of the largest items is an $8.4 million step-and-grade plan for public safety personnel, passed by the board in May.
Despite the concerns of Cobb County residents, the Democrat-majority board proceeded with its budget and millage rate plans, reflecting a significant divide in priorities and fiscal responsibility.
