Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 12, 2025
Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 12, 2025
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners convened on August 12, 2025, at approximately 9:00 AM. The meeting included four proclamations, public comments, a consent agenda revision, and approval of multiple items under the regular agenda covering transportation, parks, and support services. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless otherwise noted. Chairwoman Cupid announced she would leave early due to a funeral, but remained for the full meeting.
Presentations & Proclamations
- Constitution Week (Sept 17–23): Proclaimed by Commissioner Burrell, presented to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Fielding Lewis chapter. Commissioner Burrell honored the memory of member Carol Palmer.
- Child Support Awareness Month (August): Presented by Commissioner Sheffield. The Cobb County District Attorney's Child Support Services Division reported serving over 6,100 children, handling 4,000+ cases, collecting $9,396,140 in FY2024 and $8,339,000 (approx.) in FY2025 through September 30. The program includes fatherhood programs and a mobile app.
- Safety Village Foundation Recognition: Commissioner Allen recognized Marietta Records Service, Georgia Power (Al Martin), and Piedmont Injury Law (Ken Cross) for support. The Safety Village serves 22,000 students annually.
- National Water Quality Month (August): Chairwoman Cupid recognized the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Coosa River Basin Initiative, and Cobb County Water System. The Water Authority produces ~80 million gallons of drinking water daily and delivers to over 190,000 homes, schools, and businesses.
Public Comments & Testimony
Five speakers addressed the board:
- Christine Rosman: Expressed opposition to county initiatives (e.g., livable city initiatives), calling them "Agenda 21/2030" driven and costly to taxpayers. Questioned the July Muslim month proclamation as unconstitutional.
- Denny Wilson (District 4): Criticized Chairwoman Cupid for lengthy rebuttals during public hearings (up to 45 minutes), requesting equal time limits for commissioners. Noted the change from 5- to 3-minute public comment limits.
- Tracy Stevenson: Disagreed with proclamations on tax hearing nights, calling for transparency. Criticized the recent Board of Elections changes as lacking due process. Expressed concerns about perceived lack of patriotism from a board member.
- Iman Embad (Care Georgia, Muslim resident): Thanked the board for the July Muslim proclamation, stating it was within the board's purview and appreciated by the community.
- Susie Clark: Praised the board for listening to public comment and engaging respectfully, contrasting with the Cobb County School Board. Supported the Muslim proclamation as including marginalized voices.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was revised: Items 31 (Trickham Road) and 34 (Mapleton Food Mart alcohol hearing summaries) were withdrawn for future hearing dates. Item 32 (Ivy Walk appeal hearing) remained despite opposition from Commissioner Burrell (no further action taken). The revised consent agenda was approved 5-0.
- Item 27 (introduction of new fire dog Vinny and handler Lee Manis, arson detection) was recognized earlier.
Regular Agenda Items (Discussion & Votes)
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): Approved reallocation of up to $110,000 for support services to enhance mental, physical, and behavioral health care services. (5-0)
Transportation (10 items, all 5-0):
- Condemnation proceeding for one parcel on Due West Road at Nickajack Road (B2302).
- Application for GDOT Local Maintenance Improvement Grant for Cobb Parkway Pedestrian Bridge North (TR535).
- Drainage repair contracts: Farm Crest Point ($177,992.50) and Valley View Circle ($120,531.94).
- Consultant services: George Busby Parkway Corridor Trail design ($774,827.20) with Stantec; Oakdale Road Complete Streets Bridge Replacement ($593,412.98) with Pond & Company.
- Ranking of firms for Austell Powder Springs Road Trail design (top ranked: Heath & Lineback).
- Construction contract: Canton Road at Piedmont Road ($861,297.25) and traffic signal installation on Marshall Road at Giles/Hill Road ($559,653).
- Revised budget and schedule for the 2022 SPLOST Transportation Improvements Program.
Parks (1 item, 5-0): Approved contract with Southern Sign Systems for entry signage replacement at 7 parks (Fuller's, Hurt Road, Larry Bell Complex, Lost Mountain, Sweat Mountain, Traymore, Powder Springs) under the 2022 park SPLOST, not to exceed $153,812.50.
Support Services (1 item, 5-0): Approved acquisition of 5245 Magnon Road in Powder Springs for a future E911 emergency communication center from A Short Thing to LLC. The purchase price was noted as under appraised value.
Appointments: Unanimously approved the reappointment of Anna Murphy to the Cobb County Board of Family and Children's Services.
Key Outcomes
- All votes on regular agenda items (ARPA, transportation, parks, support services, appointments) passed unanimously (5-0).
- Two alcohol hearing summaries (Trickham Road and Mapleton Food Mart) were withdrawn from the consent agenda and will be scheduled for a future morning BOC meeting.
- The board recognized the July Muslim proclamation as within its scope despite public criticism.
- Several community events were announced: Connect the Comet trail opening, Town Hall on Aug 14, adopt-a-pet special ($25 through Sept), and the Fish with Your Commissioner & Fishing Rodeo on Oct 4.
- The meeting concluded before 10:00 AM after the commissioners' public address and announcements.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to today's Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting this August 12th, 2025. I'm not sure if we have Reverend Dr. Martin Hawley here today, but if not, we will have a moment of silence in lieu of our invocation, which will be followed by the pledge, which will be brought by Deputy Brian Montgomery. For those of you who are willing, please join me for a moment of silence. Thank you. You may now rise for the pledge. Join me in the pledge. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Deputy. And our meeting is now officially called to order. On top of our meeting, we do have four presentations, and what we will do, I think we're still looking for some of our plaques for the first presentation, so we will go on to the second presentation, which is to recognize September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week. That's okay in Cobb County. For those of you who are part of this presentation with Commissioner Burrell, please join her up front. So I have the honor of presenting a proclamation for Constitution Week to the daughters of the American Revolution Fielding Lewis chapter here in Marietta. In memory, um, we lost a one dear friend and warrior in DAR in the Fielding Lewis chapter this year, um, Carol Palmer, who is a faithful, faithful servant and patriot. So I just like to remember her with this proclamation. She would be here if she could. She was always here every year. So just remember her family and the DAR family in your prayers. And whereas, as a lasting tribute to the Constitution, the daughters of the American Revolution established Constitution Hall, a national performing arts center that opened in 1929 and continues to serve as a symbol of the organization's dedication to preserving American heritage. Therefore, we at the Cobb County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week in Cobb County. We extend our sincere appreciation to the daughters of the American Revolution for their unwavering commitment to civic education and advocacy. And we encourage all residents to reflect on the significance of the Constitution and the freedoms it protects. This the 12th day of August 2025. Thank you so much. The Daughters of the American Revolution, the Fielding Lewis chapter is the local chapter here in Marietta. And we treasure the opportunity to be able to commemorate and celebrate the Constitution. We're the daughters of the American Revolution, so it's important. So thank you for the opportunity, Ms. Burl. I'm so thankful to have you. We miss Carol. But you know, uh, she left a great legacy for us. So thank you so much, and thank you for the opportunity. Okay. And we'll get a picture. Okay. Thank you, Burlington. Good. Thank you. Here we go. Three. All right. Next up, our proclamation will be to recognize August as Child Support Awareness Month. Those of you who are part of this presentation, please join Commissioner Sheffield up front. Thank you. Good morning. How are you guys this morning? Good. Okay.
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