Georgia House Passes Vinings, Lost Mountain Cityhood Bills

VININGS, GA — On Monday, the Georgia House of Representatives passed two bills proposing cities of Vinings and Lost Mountain, moving the cityhood efforts one step further in the legislative process.

Both bills now advance to the state Senate. One bill proposes a city of Vinings with about 7,000 residents between Interstate 285 and the Chattahoochee River. Vinings would offer code enforcement, planning and zoning, and parks and recreation services.

The other bill would create a city of Lost Mountain in west Cobb, which would be the county's most populous city at roughly 75,000 residents if it continues to advance through the General Assembly and is approved by voters in May. Lost Mountain would offer the same services as Vinings, in addition to a sanitation department.

The news comes just days after the state Senate passed a bill proposing a city of East Cobb. If all three bills are signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, the May elections in Cobb County would be one of its most pivotal and historic.

There's also a bill proposing a city of Mableton, which would be on the November ballot if it continues in the General Assembly, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Related: East Cobb Cityhood Bill Passes State Senate Committee

Cobb's Democratic representatives claimed the process was rushed, according to the AJC, and in a letter circulated Monday, Cobb Elections Director Janine Eveler asked that the cityhood referendums be pushed back to November.

"Adding these additional complications to our workload increases the risk level for error," she said in the letter.

Cobb County officials also said they wouldn't be able to complete a financial impact study before May, which would give them more insight as to how cityhood efforts could affect the county's finances.

State Rep. Ginny Ehrhart, R-West Cobb, said she spoke to Eveler Monday morning and said November was just a preference, the Marietta Daily Journal reported.

Additionally, state Rep. Erick Allen, D-Smyrna, said not all residents of Vinings want to become an incorporated city.

But the Vinings cityhood bill still passed in a 99-56 vote, receiving the most number of votes in favor compared to the other cityhood bills. Lost Mountain passed in a 92-61 vote.

SEE ALSO:

• Vinings, Lost Mountain Cityhood Bills Move Forward
• Vinings Cityhood Bill Advances To Full House Committee Hearing
• Vinings Cityhood Considered 'Fiscally Feasible': UGA Study