On the Agenda

Hearing Held on Transportation Study

The county commissioners meet at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the government complex at 100 Cherokee Street.

Residents will get to weigh in Tuesday on plans for a mass transportation study that could improve traffic along the I-75 and U.S. 41 corridors. A public hearing will be held prior to Cobb County hiring a consultant to provide an environmental impact statement for the Northwest Atlanta Corridor Alternatives Analysis Study. The county commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the government complex at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta. Development of an environmental impact statement will provide a detailed description of the proposal, purpose and need, reasonable alternatives and the affected environment. The massive region-wide project, estimated to take 18 to 24 months to complete, will involve dozens of private companies …

• Photos (1)

Cobb Hearing Today on Job Incentives

The Board of Commissioners is considering revisions to the ordinance meant to lure businesses to the county.

Cobb County residents have their last scheduled chance this morning to comment on proposed changes to incentives to lure jobs to the county. The second of two public hearings on changes to the economic development ordinance is the highlight of the agenda for the county Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the boardroom at 100 Cherokee St. off Marietta Square. The changes would allow the Office of Economic Development to make decisions on a case-by-case basis whether to offer tax breaks or other incentives to companies to move to or expand in Cobb and bring in jobs. A key change would eliminate a requirement that a company add at least 25 jobs and have at least a $500,000 economic impact to be eligible for incentives. …

• Documents (1)

Vote Due Tuesday on Cobb Budget

The 2012 spending plan relies on the previous property tax increase from 9.6 mills to 11.11 mills.

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners is set to vote Tuesday on the 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. On a $140,000 to $160,000 house, the increase averages $82.67 per year. On a $190,000 to $210,000 home, the increase averages $111.66 per year. Property taxes make up 58 percent of the county's general fund. With the tax increase, the county is able to fill some public safety positions that were frozen, said Jim Pehrson, the county's finance director. "It gives us some breathing room," Pehrson said. The total proposed budget for next year is $723 million. The …

• Photos (1)

Citizens Committee's Cuts Upset Residents

The commissioners held the only public hearing on the proposed 2012 budget Tuesday afternoon.

Cobb County's proposed fiscal 2012 budget doesn't include any furlough days for the county's 4,200 employees, or any layoffs. But it does include some fee increases and service reductions, plus other cost-saving measures. We are live at the public hearing on the budget, where a crowd is gathering. Library hours have been cut as well as hours at the aquatic center. In personnel, 66 unfilled positions will be eliminated. The county is also looking to privatize the Cobblestone Golf Course. Cobb County's proposed general fund budget for fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1, is expected to be about $4 million more than the current $317 million budget that was revised in April. However, the $321.7 million proposal is $6.3 million less than the $328 …

• Photos (2)