Cobb BOC Votes on Rate Increase, MIC Meets with Mabletonians and More Tonight

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners are holding the last of three public hearings on the proposed millage rate increase at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 100 Cherokee St. in Marietta.

Cobb commissioners are eyeing a possible deficit of nearly $33 million for fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1. Due to declining property values, the board faced a deficit in 2011 as well. All departments were asked to cut 10 percent across the board, and take furlough days.

During the first two hearings on the tax increase—both on July 19—speakers were closely divided on whether to raise the rate from a total of 9.6 mills to 11.21 mills for the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

That change would add an average of $111.66 to a residents county tax bill for homes worth $190,000 to $210,000. People on both sides said Cobb's quality of life is at stake.

We'll be covering the hearing and vote live.

Most of the dozens of speakers at the second hearing took one of two directions:

The county can't afford to cut any more services without ruining the quality of life here and driving people away.
The county can't afford to raise taxes without ruining the quality of life here and driving people away.
Heavy in attendance were families involved in the Special Olympics program, who generally supported a millage rate increase to protect the programs that are vital to them.

On the other side, many speakers warned that in these tough economic times, even an increased expense of $10 a month could push people over the economic edge and cost them their homes.

It was a hearing packed with emotional moments, such as Special Olympian Candice Fitzgerald, who warned the commissioners that she'll be 18 and voting next year, and Cobb Taxpayers Association head Lance Lamberton, who talked about his humbling, near-minimum-wage circumstances and his inability to afford any tax increase.

Also, other important meetings being held tonight include:

• The Mableton Improvement Coalition will hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. at the South Cobb Community Center at 620 Lions Club Drive in Mableton.

They will have a short presentation and then attendees can split into discussion groups and find out more about projects and activities, ask questions and voice opinions. Community gardens, the Chattahoochee River Line, economic development and Christmas projects are all topics that may be explored. MIC will also be rolling out its Community Fitness Initiative, a new effort to give residents a chance to get outside with friends and neighbors.  

• The Cobb NAACP general membership meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at 605 Roswell St. N.E. Suite B in Marietta.

• Prevent Now! A meeting to inform citizens how to prevent child sexual abuse will be held at the South Cobb Regional Library at 820 Clay Road in Mableton at 6:30 p.m.