Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners met on July 14, 2026, at 12:45 PM for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting included an invocation by Pastor Chip Dean, the Pledge of Allegiance led by retiring firefighter Jan Fox, and a presentation honoring State Representative David Wilkerson with the ACCG Legislative Service Award. The board conducted two public hearings: one on the proposed property tax increase (millage rate) and one on the Fiscal Year 2027 proposed budget. General public comment followed, along with consent agenda approvals, transportation and public services items, appointments, and a contested community development hearing regarding a business license denial for Relaxing Head Spa.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda as revised (pulling item 34 for separate discussion). Items 21 and 35 were revised; item 22 (Commissioner Burl) and item 5 (Commissioner Gamble) were noted as not supported but passed as part of the consent agenda. The motion carried 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing on Proposed Tax Increase:

• Christine Rossman expressed frustration with rising property values and taxes, stating that citizens feel their tax dollars are spent on frivolous events rather than infrastructure and public safety.
• Craig Harfoot called for a rollback of the millage rate, criticized spending on infrastructure that requires ongoing maintenance, and argued that the county should spend less.
• Myrna Cavan argued that her home's assessed value of $350,000 is inflated compared to actual offers, making taxes unfair for homeowners.
• Christina White (East Cobb) noted that senior citizens on fixed incomes struggle with tax increases tied to unrealized property values.

Public Hearing on FY27 Budget:

• Andy Kingry (District 2) supported creating a deputy director position for the Board of Elections and Registration, noting Cobb is the only large county in Georgia without one.
• Craig Harfoot opposed the stormwater utility fee and new positions, advocating for a 10% spending cut and lower millage rate.
• Christine Rossman criticized the scope creep of spending and suggested forming a citizen-led government efficiency group, referencing prior efforts by Jan Barton and Larry Savage.
• David Musser (East Cobb) opposed the proposed expansion of Cobb microtransit, calling it a financially irresponsible measure that benefits a small percentage of residents.

General Public Comment (after hearings):

• Kevin James (Peace State Drive for Good Foundation) proposed a Lockheed Heritage Innovation Center at Dobbins Air Reserve Base as a revenue-generating tourist attraction for Cobb County.
• Thomas Xavier Bartlett (Marietta resident) advocated for more affordable housing and solutions for the unhoused population, citing data on over 1,000 homeless individuals and 2,800 families lacking adequate nighttime residence.
• Lily Trottier (Borgen Project) called for better communication from the county on budget decisions and prioritization, such as funding overtime for departments rather than increasing commissioner budgets.

Discussion Items

Budget Presentations:

• CFO presented the proposed FY27 budget totaling $1.409 billion, an $84 million increase over FY26. The budget includes 59 new full-time positions (23 general fund, 27 fire, 6 stormwater, 3 water/sewer). Millage rates are proposed to remain flat (general fund 8.46 mills, fire fund 2.97 mills, Cumberland Special Service District 2.45 mills). Net digest growth is 5.06%, with commercial revaluations up 7.6%. The floating homestead exemption locks in the general fund portion of taxes for primary residences.
• Commissioners discussed the budget process, particularly the addition of a deputy parks director position without prior consultation. Commissioner Sheffield noted that not all department heads had equal opportunity to advocate for their requests. Commissioner Gamble expressed frustration over the lack of board-level prioritization and the inclusion of a $5,000 increase for each commissioner's operating budget while critical departments lack overtime funding.

Agenda Item 34 (Executive Search Firm Contingency):

• The item proposed a $60,000 fund balance appropriation to establish a contingency for using executive search firms for hard-to-fill positions. The HR director explained it is a tool for recruiting competitive candidates. Commissioners Burl and Gamble opposed, arguing it undermines the county manager's role and that the process should be followed first. The motion passed 3-2.

Community Development Hearing (Relaxing Head Spa Appeal):

• The appeal concerned the denial of a health spa license for Relaxing Head Spa (doing business as Top Massage) at 3372 Canton Road. The denial was based on two violations: the applicant (Zhentong Meng) failed to disclose an arrest history (bench warrant for failure to appear on traffic citations) and failed to disclose prior employment at VV Massage in Cartersville, his mother's business.
• Detective Brandon Hughes testified to extensive background investigation linking the applicant and proposed manager to other massage businesses that had been closed for illicit activity, including unlicensed massage and potential human trafficking. The applicant's attorney argued that the omissions were misunderstandings due to language barriers and that the aggravating factors were irrelevant and prejudicial.
• Commissioners debated the relevance of the additional information. Chairwoman Cupid expressed concern about the volume of circumstantial evidence potentially prejudicing the board. Commissioner Sheffield noted the pattern of failing to follow rules. The motion to uphold the denial passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Tax Increase Public Hearing: No action taken; additional hearings scheduled for July 21 and July 28, 2026.
• FY27 Budget Public Hearing: No action taken; additional hearing on July 21 and adoption hearing on July 28, 2026.
• Agenda Item 34 (Executive Search Firm): Approved 3-2 (Commissioners Burl and Gamble dissenting).
• Consent Agenda: Approved 5-0, with items 5 and 22 noted as not supported by individual commissioners.
• Transportation Items (13 items): All approved 5-0.
• Public Services Items (3 items): All approved 5-0.
• Support Services Items (3 items): All approved 5-0.
• Appointments: Crystal Lynn Wigging Lambert (Historic Preservation Commission), Joan Kral (neighborhood safety commission), Betty Smoot Madison (Transit System Advisory Board) approved.
• Community Development Hearing (Business License Appeal): Denial upheld 5-0.
• Next Steps: The board will hold a special called meeting on July 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM for the second public hearings on the tax increase and budget, followed by the third and final hearings on July 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM.