Cobb County BOC Meeting - March 10, 2026: Awards, Appointments, and Routine Approvals
Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 10, 2026
This meeting of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by presentations, public comments, and approval of the consent agenda and regular agenda items. The board approved several infrastructure, park, and facility contracts, and appointed a new county attorney. Chairwoman Lisa Cupid was absent throughout the meeting.
Awards & Proclamations
- Silver Eagle Award: Parks Director Michael Brandley presented the 2025 Silver Eagle Award to Dr. Jatun Gibson, Public Services Agency Director, recognizing her leadership and teamwork. Dr. Gibson thanked her team and family.
- Women's History Month Proclamation: Commissioner Burrell read a proclamation celebrating Women's History Month, recognizing contributions of women in Cobb County. Several elected female officials were present.
- Procurement Month Proclamation: Commissioner Burrell also read a proclamation declaring March 2026 as Procurement Month in Cobb County, honoring procurement professionals.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Corey Barnes (Cobb County resident): Expressed frustration over a fire and health hazard on an adjacent property, stating that code enforcement and the courts are aware but no action has been taken. He criticized Chairwoman Cupid for not responding to his email and called for the board to address the ongoing safety threat. He noted that people are camping on the property and that the situation remains unresolved.
- Jeremy Sistruck (speaking as a citizen): Opposed the U.S. military conflict with Iran, arguing that the president did not seek consent from the American people or Congress. He requested the board support a resolution to restore war powers to Congress and the people, noting that many citizens are expected to voice similar concerns at the March 24 meeting.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved the consent agenda as revised, which included adding two items: (1) authorization of settlement of a workers' compensation claim on behalf of Michael Brown, and (2) authorization of settlement of Cobb County Board of Commissioners versus Purdue Pharma LP (public version). The consent agenda was approved unanimously (4-0) with Chairwoman absent.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of County Attorney: County Manager presented the recommendation to appoint Deborah L. Blair as county attorney effective March 15, 2026, and to approve her employment agreement. Ms. Blair has 20 years of legal experience, including 10 years in the Cobb County Attorney's Office, and has served as Deputy County Attorney since 2019. The motion passed 3-1 (with Chairwoman absent). Ms. Blair thanked the board and introduced her husband. Vice Chair noted that the board made an excellent choice.
- Transportation Items (Items 21-27): All seven transportation items were approved unanimously (4-0):
- Item 21: Engineering services for countywide bridge maintenance ($493,730.50) with Pond and Company.
- Item 22: Pedestrian improvements on Pine Mountain Circle ($272,434.07) with Glossen Enterprises LLC.
- Item 23: Flashing yellow arrow upgrade ($422,387) with Smart Road Technology LLC.
- Item 24: Encroachment agreement with Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority for Shallerford Road at Grady Parkway West.
- Item 25: Project framework agreement with GDOT for New Day Creek Trail Extension design ($814,825.14) with BCC Engineering.
- Item 26: Revised budget and schedule for 2016 SPLOST Transportation Improvements Program.
- Item 27: Construction contract with Benning Construction Company ($4,708,624) for State PI 19687.
- Parks Items (3 items): All approved unanimously (4-0):
- Purchase and replacement of water play structure at South Cobb Aquatic Center ($146,836.25) from cell tower lease revenues; installation expected by summer.
- Synthetic turf replacement at Mud Creek and Terrell Mill Parks ($2,378,614) under 2022 Parks Plus Program.
- Fence replacement at Wallace Park ($127,097) through master contract with Malden and Cook Fence Company.
- Facilities Management Items (2 items): All approved unanimously (4-0):
- Renovation of public restrooms in the State Court Building ($193,428) with HEC Construction Solutions.
- Emergency parking lot drainage repairs at Police Headquarters ($109,311) with WE Contracting Company.
Key Outcomes
- Deborah L. Blair appointed as County Attorney (effective March 15, 2026) – vote 3-1.
- All transportation, parks, and facilities contracts approved (each 4-0).
- Consent agenda approved (4-0) with added settlement items.
- The board recognized retiring County Attorney Bill Rowling (30 years of service) and departing Transportation Deputy Director Jonathan Y. (last meeting).
- Commissioner Burrell presented the Women's History Month and Procurement Month proclamations.
Commissioner Announcements
- Commissioner Gambrell announced upcoming public meetings: March 18 open house for Alatoona Creek Greenway Trail, and a 2028 SPLOST Open House. Also promoted the spring book sale at Cobb Civic Center.
- Commissioner Burrell reminded of veterans programs at senior centers and wished everyone a happy St. Patrick's Day.
- Commissioner Sheffield highlighted the activation of a new traffic signal at Veterans Memorial Highway and Buckner Road, a ribbon cutting for a remodeled Chick-fil-A, a gardening workshop for seniors, and the fourth annual community cleanup on March 28. She also recognized a police officer who saved a newborn's life during a traffic stop.
- The meeting adjourned after the commissioner announcements.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. And welcome to our BLC meeting, those in the audience and online. We are going to start our meeting with the invocation from Pastor Mitchell Shrever from Legacy Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Cobb County Police Officer Nicholas Christian. Please stand. Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and to participate. Will you all pray with me? Heavenly Father, we uh give this meeting to you. Um we give this day to you. And Lord, as leaders, we ask for wisdom to make decisions that are right and in the best interest of all of your people, knowing that every person is created in your image. Uh, Father, we further ask for courage because courage is wisdom applied, and it is the currency of leadership in our day to do what is right even when it's difficult. God, we ask that you would help us to look to Jesus as the greatest leader in human history who humbled himself even though he deserved every right to exalt himself, and so help us to lead in the way of Jesus and put others' interests before ours, and to acknowledge that every person is created and has dignity and value in your eyes. We give this day to you in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Good morning. Uh I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and invisible liberty and justice for all this. And for that, we're going to call up Parks Director Michael Brandley. Good morning, Vice Chairman, Commissioners, Madam County Manager. It is my pleasure to present the annual Cobb County Silver Eagle Award. This award program, which began in 1995, recognizes a Cobb County Department Head who has demonstrated teamwork and outstanding leadership among the department head team throughout the year. Helping others stay focused and confident. Their ability to lift spirits and bring people together has a meaningful impact on the culture of the team and the workplace as a whole. Another department had commented they have consistently demonstrated strong teamwork and loyalty to Cobb County through the way they support countywide initiatives and actively contributing to building a positive culture for employees. They take pride in representing the organization well, and they approach their role with a genuine commitment to helping both their agency and the county succeed. Finally, I would like to say personally, she is steadfast, caring, keeps me grounded with her words, motivated to succeed with her actions, but most of all, she keeps me somewhat sane with her unique and wonderful sense of humor. It is with great honor that I announced the winner of the 2025 Silver Eagle Award to our public services agency director, Dr. Jatun Gibson. Well, Dr. Gibson is surprised by her family being here. She stepped into this role a few years ago and uh has never stopped running. She gives up her time, her prayers, her passion for this job. She's out on weekends, late nights. She is there for her team and for anyone else who needs it. So on behalf of the entire leadership team, we say thank you for your leadership, and we welcome your family here. Congratulations. Two minutes. So Dr. McMore says two minutes. My sister behind me, it's my older sister, my baby sister. She said, Don't be long. So I won't say what that says about me, but I will say thank you. Um speaking of an eagle and soaring, I think that's what we do here in Cobb. And it comes from the top, Dr. McMorris to our commissioners as well. Uh, that's the expectation. And we just like to hope that we are fulfilling that as a team. My team is the best.
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