Commissioners Pass Budget, Raise Water Fees

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners adopted a 2012 budget, which includes a tax increase to make up a possible $33 million deficit.

The county raised the rate from 9.6 mills to 11.11 mills for the year that ends Sept. 30. Tax bills went out in mid-August.

The total proposed budget for next year is $723 million. The adopted budget for the current year was $720.6 million.

Cobb County's proposed general fund budget for fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1, is about $4 million more than the current $317 million budget that was revised in April.

The commissioners also raised water and sewer fees.

there will be a 6 percent increase in water rates for usage over 3,000 gallons and a 2 percent increase in sewer charges. The increases affect both residential and commercial users and will take effect Jan. 1.

9:02 Chairman Tim Lee opens the meeting. Pledge and prayer. Commissioner Woody Thompson is absent.

9:05 A public hearing is opened to request for qualification (RFQ) for the Program Management Services for the 2011 SPLOST projects for the parks. No one speaks and the hearing is closed.

9:06 Public comment

Chairman of the Citizens Oversight Committee. The committee has been meeting with department heads since the group's preliminary report.

"We appreciate the consideration that has been given" to the committee's suggestions so far. They want to simply honor the cooperation with the county that has been developed thus far, he said.

9:11 Craig Hartfoot encourages people to go to the EMC meeting and vote for new leadership. He tells the commissioners they need to change the chicken ordinance and "let people grow their own food." Currently the ordinance says there has to be a certain acreage before people can own chickens.

9:16 Consent agenda passes.

9:16 Water Department head is talking about fee increases due to rising costs. They are trying to save money. They might go out and repair a line instead of replacing it.

They are proposing a 6 percent increase in water rates for usage over 3,000 gallons and a 2 percent increase in sewer charges. The increases affect both residential and commercial users and will take effect Jan. 1. The county's rates are still some of the lowest in the area, he said.

9:21 Commissioners approve the rate increase. Ott votes against it.

9:29 Commissioners approve a contract with JJE Constructors, Inc., for pedestrian improvements and streetscape on the Dallas Highway Streetscapes. It will be funded by SPLOST monies.

The commissioners approve a construction agreement with GDOT for South Hurt Road sidewalks.

The commissioners approve a project for installation of aerial fiber-optic traffic signal interconnect cable on Macland Road.

The commissioners approve putting traffic control measues at the intersection of Hampton Farms Drive and Hidden Lake Court.

The commissioners approve an all-way stop at the intersection of Kirk Lane and Tarpley.

9:35 County Manager David Hankerson is suggesting the launch of a book recycling program to last one year, sponsored by Better World Books, at recycling bins designated by the county.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell says it is a win win situation for the county. There is no cost. The bins will be provided by Better World Books. They will be at parks and fire stations.

Commissioners approve.

9:40 The commissioners approve having two public hearings on a change to the county code that will enable the economic development folks to have some wiggle room as far as eligibility is concerned for certain businesses to locate in various spots in the county.

9:43 Finance Director Jim Pehrson is up.

Commissioners approve the authorization of the finance division to get insurance coverage for boiler machinery, public officials, airport liability, fidelity crime insurance, cyber crime and fiduciary liability effective Oct. 1, 2011

Pehrson is talking about the 2012 budget which is up for adoption today. He explains the process of how they came to a balanced budget.

The county raised taxes recently to make up a possible $33 million deficit due to the continued lag in the economy. The county's tax digest has continued to decrease due to the decline in real estate values.

The total proposed budget for next year is $723 million. The adopted budget for the current year was $720.6 million.

Cobb County's proposed general fund budget for fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1, is about $4 million more than the current $317 million budget that was revised in April.

The county is able to avoid employee furlough days and layoffs for 2012.

Chairman Lee says the county still doesn't know what the economy is going to do, but the long-range plan for the county should help the county ride out the recession.

Commissioner Bob Ott says he is concerned that they are considering a budget with many of the same problems that last year's budget had.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell says they are looking at ways to save money, reduce cost and consolidate programs. All of this is in coordination with the Citizens Oversight Committee.

Commissioners approve the 2012 budget 3 to 1, with Ott voting no.

10:08 Public comment.

Resident says he had some concerns about the budget. With the tax increase he said there would be excess funds coming in. Resident says Pehrson told him that that the excess would be applied to the reserve fund.

Resident said he approves.

He urges the commissioners to plan ahead of time, before there is a deficit in the budget.

10:13 Commissioners comments

Commissioner Birrell said that the recent adopt-a-thon at the animal shelter found 61 animals homes. She mentions several events going on in her district.

Commissioner Helen Goreham says that the give-your-perscriptions-back program will be held Oct. 24 at the East Cobb Senior Center.

Chairman Lee makes several appointments to various boards from his district and that of Commissioner Thompson.

Lee encourages residents to visit the battlefield in Kennesaw where 3,000 plus flags were placed in memory of the people killed in the 9/11 attacks.

10:25 We are adjourned.