Final Hearing on Cobb County Millage Increase Tonight

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners is holding the last of three public hearings on the proposed property tax rate increase Tuesday night.

Commissioners are eying a possible deficit of nearly $33 million for fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1. Because of 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.

As of Friday, Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott of District 2 was the only commissioner to make his position about the millage increase clear, as reported the Marietta Daily Journal.

"At this time, I can't support a millage increase," Ott told the MDJ. "The input I'm receiving from District 2 is four to one against the increase, and I was elected to represent those views."

Ott added that he is still reviewing information provided by Commission Chairman Tim Lee.

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 between $190,000 and $210,000. People on both sides said Cobb's quality of life is at stake.

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. They generally supported a millage rate increase to protect 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 when Special Olympian Candice Fitzgerald warned the commissioners that she'll be 18 and voting next year. Cobb Taxpayers Association head Lance Lamberton talked about his humbling, near-minimum-wage circumstances and his inability to afford any tax increase.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today at 100 Cherokee St, in Marietta Marietta. Patch will cover the hearing and vote live.