Cobb's Board of Commissioners approved the 2024 millage rate and the FY25 budget during its regular meeting on July 23. The board kept the property rate steady, but with an increase in the county's tax digest the general fund budget grew by $41 million. The majority of that growth will be used to bolster public safety and help put a dent in hundreds of open positions.
Chairwoman Lisa Cupid says Cobb's growth has put more pressure on county government to provide services that have been traditionally been underfunded.
Student safety top priority for return of school year
Cobb County Schools start back Thursday, Aug. 1. This means every motorist must be alert for school buses and the children who board them. Georgia law changed on July 1 making illegally passing a stopped school bus a high and aggravated misdemeanor when stopped by a police officer punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both. When the violation is caught by school bus-mounted cameras it is punishable by a civil fine of not less than $1,000.
Consider these reminders:
Yellow flashing lights mean the school bus is slowing down and about to stop.
Red flashing lights and the extended stop arm mean children are boarding or exiting the bus. Motorists must come to a complete stop a safe distance from the bus. They must wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is retracted, and the bus starts moving again before they return to their drive.
Children alongside the road might dart into traffic without looking. Motorists are responsible for driving slowly, yielding to crossing children and coming to a complete stop to protect children on the roadway.
Motorists should drive more slowly if they see children beside the road or a bus nearby.
Please drive slowly in your neighborhoods as school buses conduct pick ups and drops in subdivisions too.
Remember to use your headlights if it is dark outside to ensure visibility of pedestrians.
Please stay alert and keep everyone safe throughout the school year.
Two district elections impacted by court ruling
A ruling by a Cobb Superior Court Judge will result in new elections for commissioners from District 2 and 4. Judge Kellie Hill ordered the Board of Elections and Registration to remove those two races from the November ballot and to have Elections schedule the district elections as soon as possible.
It remains to be determined how those two commissioner positions will be filled until the special election occurs, particularly if the special election occurs after this calendar year.
Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said, "I respect the judge's ruling and we are assessing how to move forward."
Construction materials for the Austell Senior Center renovation are experiencing significant backorders, resulting in a delayed reopening date of Sept. 3. Originally, officials had planned to be finished by August.
Center clients will continue to meet at Freeman Poole and Marietta Senior Centers while the renovation continues. During the ongoing closure, residents can also reach out to Cobb Senior Services at 770-801-3400 or 470-544-2122.
Bonjour! The Cobb Public Library System has online opportunities for you. Learning a new language offers numerous cognitive, cultural, and professional benefits. Engaging in language learning stimulates the brain, enhancing memory, problem-solving skills, and mental agility. Knowing other languages can enhance your job prospects, opening doors to opportunities and making you more competitive in the job market.
Be part of the solution at a coordination meeting of agencies and organizations working on behavioral and mental health across the county 10 a.m. - noon Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Jim R. Miller Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road, SW, Marietta.
Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and Cobb Collaborative invite organizations and public safety professionals to the meeting. It will focus on navigating the system of care, focusing on the roles of 988 and 911.
9:30 a.m. - Networking and registration
10 a.m. - Program begins
Summer reading is almost done, but there's still a few more days to add your minutes and win prizes from Cobb Libraries. The challenge runs until Wednesday, July 31, so make the most of this time to dive into your favorite books, go on an adventure, or learn something new.
Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, the wholesale drinking water provider to utilities in Cobb and surrounding counties, is hosting educational seminars at its administrative building, located at 1170 Atlanta Industrial Drive, Marietta, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.
During each event, representatives of the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority will review the sources of drinking water in Cobb County, the processes used to transform the water into clean drinking water, and the means of distributing drinking water from the water treatment facilities to wholesale customers. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and sign up for a drinking water treatment facility tour.
To attend an event, register by calling 770-514-5300 or emailing elanders@ccmwa.org. Attendance is limited to the first 70 people who register for each event.
Neighbors to gather for National Night Out
There will be multiple sites for National Night Out in Cobb County Tuesday, Aug. 6. This annual event promotes law enforcement and community partnerships as well as neighborhood camaraderie. Organizers have planned for fun, food and festivities. Have an entertaining night out with your family. Locations and times include:
• Cobb County, 6 - 9 p.m., Jim R. Miller Park and Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta. Click here for more information.
• Austell, 6 - 8 p.m., Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road. Click here for more.
• Kennesaw, 6 - 8 p.m., Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old 41 Highway. Click here for more.
• Acworth, 6 - 8:30 p.m., Cauble Park with a golf cart parade, 4425 Beach Street. Click here for details.
Fresh options available for fresh food
Get free products, food, resources and services at Cobb and Douglas Public Health Farmers Market and Resource Fairs in July and August. There will be fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs.
• Markets are open to the entire community.
• WIC participants: bring a WIC ID to receive $30 free per eligible WIC participant per season.
• Events run 8 a.m. - noon at two locations:
• Aug. 7 and 21
1738 County Services Parkway, Marietta
• July 30 and Aug. 13 and 27
875 Riverside Parkway, Austell
Come see what 4-H can offer
Find your spark at this year's 4-H Open House on Aug. 8. Check out clubs and activities including archery, creative arts, public speaking, STEM, cooking, horse and pony activities, competitive teams, agriculture and more. The extension office is located at 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta.
Help those who run to help you at Cobb County's First Responder 5K on Saturday, Aug. 17, at The Battery Atlanta. Participants can walk, jog, or run either in-person or virtually. This family-friendly event for all fitness levels will include first responder vehicles and displays, field games with The Atlanta Braves' mascot Blooper, and a performance from the Braves Heavy Hitters drumline. This event is a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race.
Sample the world through the Cobb International Festival 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Jim R. Miller Park and Event Center in Marietta. The annual event will bring together sights, sounds, and tastes from around the globe.
CobbTV brings you coverage of public meetings, events, and stories of interest to those who live in Cobb. Visit www.cobbcounty.org/CobbTV and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
Cobb's Board approved this year's millage rate and the county budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Listen to Chairwoman Lisa Cupid's explanation on why the county's budget needed to grow this year.
Each week, we take you on a 60-second tour of the county to show you some of the news and events happening around Cobb. This week we check out a dramatic rescue, a new store opening, and teaching kids self defense!
Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 9 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 13
Board of Commissioners zoning hearing, 9 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20
Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27
Meetings take place at 100 Cherokee Street, 2nd floor unless otherwise noted. Many public meetings and hearings are broadcast live on CobbTV and YouTube and are available on demand on YouTube.
Events are subject to change.
Get the news you need
There's a lot going on in Cobb County that doesn't fit in one newsletter. Keep up with what's going on around Cobb County with the help of other emailed publications and social media. You'll be informed of new events and programs, cancellations/delays, emergencies, disruptions to services and more.
