East Cobb Cityhood Bill Passes GA Senate Committee, Full Vote Expected Soon

EAST COBB, GA — The East Cobb cityhood bill advanced through another legislative hurdle Thursday, passing a state Senate committee and moving to a full Senate vote as early as next week.

In a 4-3 vote, the Senate Local Government Operations Committee advanced the bill — House Bill 841 — in spite of concerns from panel members and from a citizens group opposed to East Cobb becoming its own city, East Cobb News reported.

One of the concerns was related to district residency requirement for city council candidates not being included in the bill, which was addressed when state Rep. Ed Setzler added clarifying language to it.

The other concern was related to the shortened timeline for the voter referendum, which was moved from November up to May. Setzler didn't entertain the possibility of pushing it back again to November, ECN reported, calling a May referendum ideal so mayor and council elections could take place in November, with the city starting up in early 2023.

The bill now goes to the Senate Rules Committee, which could schedule a floor debate and full Senate vote next week.

The proposed city of East Cobb would have a similar geographic size as the city of Marietta at roughly 25 square miles, bordered by the Chattahoochee River in the southeast, Shallowford Road in the north and Old Canton Road in the west. Most of its 50,406 residents (17.2 percent) would be age 65 and older, while Marietta's population age 65 and older is 12.9 percent.

Related:

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