Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meeting – August 26, 2025
Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meeting – August 26, 2025
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners convened on August 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend Greg Meadows, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of veterans. Two proclamations were presented: declaring August 26, 2025 as League of Women Voters of Marietta Cobb County Day, and September 17, 2025 as Constitution Day. The board then proceeded through a consent agenda, regular agenda items, public comments, appointments, and commissioner updates.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items scrolled on screen) was approved unanimously (5-0) without changes.
Public Comments & Testimony
First Public Comment Period – Multiple veterans and advocates spoke in support of funding for the Cobb Veterans Memorial Park:
- Melissa Crudwick (disabled veteran) urged commissioners to honor the original commitment to the memorial.
- Skip Bell (chairman of Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation) asked the board to approve Commissioner Burrell’s $1 million transfer from her SPLOST share.
- Bob Feister (retired Major General) advocated for the project, noting Cobb County’s military ties.
- Painter Dixon Luster (president of Georgia Vietnam Veterans) requested reconsideration of funding, citing 10 years of delays.
- Howard McMahon (retired Major General, physician) asked for a favorable vote to honor veterans.
- Mark Maloney (chairman of Cobb Salutes) urged completion of the memorial as a testament to service.
- Hal Burke (Navy veteran) asked for support, quoting Cicero on honoring heroes.
- T. Day Jorgensen (former military brat) stated the memorial will be built with or without county funds but requested full support.
Second Public Comment Period – Speakers addressed the veterans memorial and other topics:
- Bob Maynard expressed pride in the board but frustration with delays, urging use of private funds.
- A South Cobb resident opposed shifting park funds from her district to the memorial, citing a need for safe playgrounds for children.
- Elizabeth Hara (mother of military children) stressed the importance of planning and execution for the memorial.
- John Gargas praised the county’s triple-A credit rating and hoped for compromise on the memorial.
- David Holmes (Marine veteran) urged commissioners to reconsider, noting the county budget and discretionary funds.
- JT Jackson expressed gratitude for county investments in parks, trails, and events.
- Hannah Johnson spoke about missing WWII pilot Charles Dobbins (base namesake) and requested help to find his remains.
Discussion Items
American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Consulting Service – The board approved a $2,999,992 change order with Lord Consulting LLP for final administration of 2021 ARPA funds, creation of a $750,000 audit contingency fund, and transfer of interest earnings. All funding from ARPA, not general fund. Passed 5-0.
2022 SPLOST Revenue Above Projections (RAMP) Allocations – The county manager presented a $175 million allocation increase for existing SPLOST projects due to higher-than-expected sales tax revenue. Commissioner Burrell made a substitute motion to shift $1 million from Ebenezer Downs Park (District 3) to the Cobb Veterans Memorial Park. She argued the memorial was on the original SPLOST list and other parks received substantial RAMP funding. Commissioner Allen opposed, stating that the original MOU required the foundation to raise most funds, and offered a compromise: build everything except the $2.2 million tower with current funds ($3 million county, $500,000 state, ~$1.5 million foundation) and then fundraise for the tower. Commissioner Burrell’s substitute motion failed 4-1 (only Burrell in favor). The original motion to approve the RAMP allocations passed 4-1 (Burrell opposed). The county manager noted a second round of RAMP funds is expected in January 2028.
DOT Regular Agenda – Seven items were approved unanimously (5-0 each):
- Reimbursable right-of-way acquisition for Dallas Highway at Lost Mountain Road/Mars Hill Road (GDOT).
- Contract with Glosson Enterprises LLC ($256,975) for 2026 resurfacing/ADA ramp upgrades east.
- Supplemental agreement with Kimley-Horn ($73,850) for Johnson Ferry Road at Shallford Road design.
- Contract with Advanced Road Construction LLC ($283,825) for 2026 resurfacing/ADA ramp upgrades west.
- Contract with Blaus and Enterprises LLC ($389,740) for 2026 resurfacing/ADA local maintenance grant.
- Contract with Glossen Enterprises LLC ($146,966) for Jamerson Road at Davis Elementary School improvements (following a fatal accident).
- Final change orders for completed projects in 2011/2016/2022 SPLOST and Water System Fund, with total savings of $1,574,284.41.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 5-0.
- ARPA consulting contract approved 5-0.
- 2022 SPLOST RAMP allocations for existing projects approved 4-1 (Commissioner Burrell opposed). Substitute motion to shift $1 million to Veterans Memorial failed 4-1.
- All seven DOT items approved 5-0.
- Appointments: Thomas W. Tribble to Neighborhood Safety Commission, Charman South Hall reappointed to Historic Preservation Commission, Fadi Ali to SPLOST Oversight Committee (announced by commissioners).
- Veterans Memorial: No additional funding approved tonight. Commissioner Allen offered compromise to phase the project (build all except tower) with existing funds; the board expressed willingness to continue discussions. A future RAMP round in 2028 may be considered.
- Commissioner announcements: Cobb Foodie Week (Sept 6-13), Dog Days at Smith Gilbert Gardens, Labor Day closing, safety improvements on Jamerson Road and Holly Springs Road, opening of Tunnel to Towers Veterans Village (98 apartments for veterans and first responders), and community meeting for new 911 center (Sept 8, 2025).
- Chairwoman Cupid highlighted the county’s 28th consecutive triple-A bond rating, the Silver Comet connection to the Atlanta Beltline, the All-Star game, Cobb 101, and a new Medical College of Georgia partnership at WellStar Kennestone.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. We'll go ahead and get started. It's good to see everyone. That's August twenty sixth, two thousand and twenty-five for our Board of Commissioners meeting. I'm pleased this evening that we have Reverend Greg Meadows with Mount Zion United Methodist Church. For those of you willing and able, please stand for both our invocation and pledge. So I invite you now to bow your head if you would like, or take the posture of prayer, and let's share together. And Lord, we are thankful for the blessings in our life. We are thankful for the opportunity of where we live. And Lord, we ask your blessings now. It's all of the things that take place here tonight that you would bring wisdom and discernment. And Lord, that in the midst of all that goes on, we will be reminded to heed one of your calls, which is to seek mercy, to seek justice, and to walk humbly with you and you alone. Bless all that takes place here tonight. For it's in the lovely name of Jesus, we pray this prayer. Amen. Please direct your attention to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag. The United States of America. And to the Republic, for it expands, one nation. Under God, indivisible for liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Reverend Meadows and Firefighter Lamb. And thank you all of you for being here this evening. We recognize we have a number of you who have served our country, and we all want to thank you for your service. With that, we'll call our meeting to order. We do have presentations before us, and the first one is to recognize the League of Women Voters of Marietta Cobb. May you please join me up front. Good evening, ladies. We'll go ahead and we'll send your report. Oh, there's many more of you. It's good to see all of you this evening. Thank you for being here. And it's certainly my pleasure to provide this proclamation on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. Whereas the League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 as a bold and visionary, mighty political experiment by the trailblazing women of the suffragist movement and the National American Women's Suffrage Association. Its mission was to help the 20 million newly enfranchised women voters understand and fulfill their civic responsibilities following the ratification of the 19th Amendment. And we're asked for more than a century. And whereas the League of Women Voters is widely respected for its nonpartisan approach to providing reliable election information, including hosting candidate forums and publishing resources on state and local ballot initiatives, while working tirelessly to register, educate, and mobilize voters. Whereas Monica E. Granderson, President of the Women of League of Women Voters of Marietta Cobb County Incorporated, exemplifies the League's enduring belief that it informed and engaged citizenry, regardless of gender, race, or political affiliation, is the cornerstone of a thriving democracy. Now, therefore, we the Cobb County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim August 26th, 2025 as League of Women Voters of Marietta Cobb County Incorporated Day in Cobb County. Say that five times for us. This the 26th day of August 2025. Congratulations. You know what? As president, I'm actually going to pass that to one of our oldest members of our league, Miss Elizabeth Melville, who's also one of our past presidents. Thank you so much for honoring us today. One more thing. Today is the day. How fitting today is the day. So we'll line up here for a photo.
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