Cobb County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – October 14, 2025

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on October 14, 2025, beginning at 12:45 PM. The meeting included an invocation, pledge, presentations, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, a public hearing on an alcohol permit appeal, and various board actions. Key decisions included a 3-2 vote to delay the appointment of the police chief, a 3-2 vote to increase election board stipends, a 4-1 vote to grant an alcohol server permit to an applicant with a recent felony conviction, and several unanimous approvals.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Croy Engineering 20th Anniversary: Proclamation honoring the firm for two decades of service. Unanimous recognition.
• Ageism Awareness Day (October 9): Proclamation designating October 9, 2025 as Ageism Awareness Day. Noted that an estimated 155,000 adults aged 60+ in Cobb County may experience ageism.
• Friends of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District: Certificates of recognition presented to members for installing the Toni Morrison Bench and Matilda’s Garden. Parks Director Michael Brantley and staff received a framed illustration for their collaboration.
• Pension Board Annual Report: Sam Heaton, vice chair of the pension board trustees, reported that the plan is currently 64% funded (up from 61.4% last year), projected to reach 80% funding in 12 years and 100% in 19 years. The actual return since inception is 8.34%, exceeding the 7.25% target.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved 5-0, with Commissioner Gambrel opposing item 39 (name change of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority to "Cobb County Convention Center"). Three non‑agenda items (workers’ compensation settlements and a litigation settlement) were added to consent by a 5-0 vote. Agenda item 27 (election board stipend) was pulled from consent for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony Coleman (Veterans Memorial Center Foundation): Expressed support for the veterans memorial project and requested a meeting with commissioners.
• Donald Barth: Urged the board to address stormwater flooding with a dedicated fee (not a “rain tax”), and expressed support for the new police chief appointment.
• Kim Peace Hill: Criticized Chairwoman Cupid’s delay of the police chief swearing-in, calling it “political games” and demanding a fair, transparent process. Stated the public supports the board’s choice.
• Sherry Frost: Thanked individual commissioners for their service and compassion, encouraging the board to continue leading with love.
• Peter Friedrich: Opposed Georgia Senate Bill 375 (Hindophobia legislation), arguing it would weaponize courts against critics of foreign governments. Asked the board to adopt a resolution opposing SB 375 and distribute it to state legislators.
• Corey Barnes: Described a 20-year code enforcement failure at a neighboring property (trash, feral cats, no running water, fire hazard). Requested a multi-departmental review, ordinance amendments to allow emergency abatement, and immediate action to address the public health risk.

Discussion Items

• Election Board Stipend Increase (Item 27): The Board of Elections and Registration requested raising monthly stipends from $150 (members) and $200 (chair) to $500 and $600, respectively. Commissioner Allen proposed an amendment to $350 for members and $450 for chair, citing the need to match metro counties and account for new W-2 tax treatment. After debate, the amendment passed 3-2 (Commissioners Burrell and Gambrel opposed). The original request had not been increased in 35 years; the board now meets 36 times per year due to state legislation.
• Police Chief Appointment: The county manager recommended holding the appointment of Dan Farrell as chief of police to the October 28, 2025 meeting. The motion passed 3-2 (Commissioners Burrell and Gambrel opposed). Chairwoman Cupid supported the delay to address concerns about the search process.
• Alcohol Server Permit Appeal (Public Hearing): James Boyce appealed the denial of his alcohol server permit after a 2025 felony conviction for aggravated assault. He had answered “no” on his application about felony convictions. The License Review Board upheld the denial. During the hearing, Mr. Boyce testified he is in a 10‑year probation program with drug court (18‑24 months), is sober since December 2024, and has a job offer as a sommelier at Canoe restaurant. He said he answered “no” because he believed the conviction would be sealed. The board heard testimony from police and the business license division. After discussion, Commissioner Allen made a motion to grant the permit, which passed 4-1 (Commissioner Burrell opposed). The permit is valid for one year; the board noted the oversight of the accountability court as a mitigating factor.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 5-0, with one opposition noted on item 39.
• Election Board Stipend: Approved 3-2 (members $350/month, chair $450/month).
• Police Chief Appointment: Delayed to October 28, 2025 meeting (3-2 vote).
• Alcohol Server Permit: Granted to James Boyce (4-1 vote).
• Transportation, Parks, Support Services, Facilities Management Items: All 15 items approved unanimously (5-0).
• Appointments: Several board and commission appointments approved, including Laurie Robinson to the Civil Service Board (4-1, Commissioner Gambrel opposed).
• Community Announcements: Upcoming events include a breast cancer 5K (Oct 25), pumpkin contest (voting through Oct 31), water system trick-or-treat event (Oct 17-18), veterans fair (Oct 21), Medicare workshop (Oct 24), and a senior fall cleanup (Nov 14). Applications for the Youth Commission are open.