To Combat Staffing Crisis, Cobb Eyes $178M Increase To Upcoming Budget

COBB COUNTY, GA — As budget talks continue in Cobb County for the upcoming fiscal year, county staff requested a $178 million budget increase and the addition of over 600 new employees as staffing issues continue to hurt the county.

Throughout budget presentations and discussions over the last six months, department heads have told Cobb commissioners that they need more staff, which means more spending, the Marietta Daily Journal reported.

Commissioners were briefed about the issue again at a work session this week. Staff requested $1.2 billion in total spending for the upcoming year, which includes the $178 million increase and 658 new positions, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Cobb didn't approve any full-time employee additions in the 2020 budget cycle due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MDJ reported. In 2021, the county approved four new positions, three of which were in the elections department.

Finance Director Bill Volckmann said during the work session that a tax increase may be required to fully fund the sizable budget increase request.

He said there's a roughly $80 million gap in the general fund alone, which would have to be closed by reducing spending elsewhere or raising revenue.

However, these figures don't take into account the possible creations of three cities set to be on the May 24 primary ballot: East Cobb, Vinings and Lost Mountain.

County officials have previously said could cost the county up to $41.4 million in revenue annually, including the Mableton cityhood effort, which would be on the November ballot.

It also doesn't consider the pay study commissioned by the county last year. Results from that study are expected in April, which could affect the budget depending on its recommendations, according to the MDJ.