Cobb Commissioners Raise Property Taxes

MARIETTA, GA — In a pair of 3-2 votes, Cobb County's Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a 2018 property tax increase and a new 2019 budget.

The votes came after a host of public hearings and town halls to discuss the tax increase and were pitched by backers as the only way to avoid crippling cuts to services in the county.

"I sincerely believe this millage rate will sustain Cobb County well into the future," board Chairman Mike Boyce said. "Maintaining this lifestyle in Cobb will be an investment for you, your children, and your grandchildren."

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Boyce said he believes the increase is enough to keep all county services operating and to begin restoring some services cut during tight economic times in recent years.

The budget would keep all of Cobb's parks, libraries, senior centers, and animal services open. It also would help begin hiring more police officers.

Boyce, and commissioners Lisa Cupid and Bob Weatherford voted for the increase, while commissioners Bob Ott and JoAnn Birrell voted against it.

The 1.7-mill tax increase would represent a $340 per year increase in taxes on the full value of a $200,000 home — but that's before factoring in the fact that homes are typically taxed at only a fraction of their value and other tax breaks like homestead exemptions which, in many cases, will dramatically lower that amount.

The votes came after dozens of Cobb residents spoke, both for and against the tax increase. Commissioners said that the majority of emails received on the issue were in favor of bumping up taxes instead of cutting county services.

Leading up to the vote, Boyce said the county has managed to keep its millage rate low for years by defunding positions, delaying vehicle replacements, putting off building repairs and reducing services. Even with the 1.7-mill increase, Cobb will still have a lower millage rate than most metro Atlanta counties, he said.

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