Cobb County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – August 11, 2026
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Cobb County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – August 11, 2026
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The meeting included recognitions for transportation staff, public hearings on two microtransit expansions, public comments on various topics, approval of routine consent and regular agenda items, a debate over establishing a deputy elections director (which ultimately failed), and several commissioner announcements.
Recognitions
The board presented certificates to Joshua L. Sperry (American Public Works Association Georgia Chapter 2026 Young Leader of the Year) and Dallas Kane (Transportation Manager of the Year). Both were recognized for their leadership and dedication to Cobb County's transportation system.
Public Hearings – Microtransit Expansions
Two separate public hearings were held for proposed microtransit service expansions. Both required Title VI equity analyses per FTA requirements.
South Cobb Microtransit Expansion
- Director Drew Ressler presented data: ridership grew from ~800 trips/month in November 2024 to over 3,000 trips/month by May 2026; cost per ride decreased from over $60 to $27.35; the expansion would add approximately 6 square miles in southwest Mableton, including the Floyd Road park-and-ride.
- The equity analysis found no disparate impact on minority populations or disproportionate burden on low-income populations.
- Funding: 70% from the Transit Trust Fund (via ATL/GTEA) with a $1 million local match (80% federal, 20% local). The existing two-year pilot has a third-year option.
- Speakers:
- Debbie (resident): Opposed, citing the 2024 voter rejection (over 60%) of a transit tax and bypassing state legislature; called microtransit an abuse of taxpayer money.
- Matt Segal (District 1 resident, transit advisory board member, personal capacity): Supported, praised transparency, noted the service benefits all populations and the top destination is the Walmart on East West Connector.
- Lance Lamberton (resident): Opposed, argued the program is not means-tested, cost per ride is high, and existing voucher programs are poorly administered; called it a
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to our Cobb County Board of Commissioners regular meeting this August 11th, 2026. I'm pleased today that we have Pastor Brian Hammond of New Hope United Methodist Church, and he will be providing our invitation. That will be followed by the pledge, which will be brought by Deputy Lossing of the Sheriff's Office. For those of you both willing and able, I ask that you stand for both our invocation and our pledge. Would you pray with me? Oh eternal God, in whose appointment our life stands, and who committed our work to us. We commit our cares to you. Father, you created us in your image. So grant us the grace to fearlessly contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression, and that we may reverently use our freedom and help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice to the glory of your holy name. Give us the wisdom and discernment to seek you and your will to serve our community and our world. Teach us, oh God, of every nation, to see every question of policy in the light of our faith, that we would check in ourselves and in others, every passion that makes for ungenerous judgment, that we would recognize the needs and aspirations of others, remove our own suspicions and misunderstandings, and honor all people in Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen. Please join me in the pledge. Our meeting is now called to order. So as I call your name, would you please come up? Today I would like to present certificates to Joshua L. Sperry and Dallas Kane in honor of receiving the American Public Works Association, Georgia chapter, twenty twenty-six young leader of the year, and Transportation Manager of the Year award. So on behalf of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, come on up, team. Team and family. Just this past July. So thank you so much for all you do. Congratulations. Would you like to say anything? Joshua? No. Would you like to say anything, young man? No. Okay. Sure. All righty. So thank you very much. Let's get a photo real quick. We can come on in. Come on in, Dallas. Everybody comes out. Sure. I got his ready. Three, one. Okay. And our second recognition goes to Dallas. We just call you Dallas. You got this one name. Dallas Kane. So on behalf again of the Board of Commissioners and the County Manager's Office, we congratulate you for becoming the American Public Works Association of Georgia. Chapter 2026, Transportation Manager of the Year. This honor is a tribute to your leadership, dedication, and commitment to delivering a safe and transportation system network. Your professionalism, integrity, and focus on excellence has made a lasting impact to your department. So on behalf of the board and the county manager's office, congratulations to you. So on this day, the 11th of August, we congratulate you. Thank you.
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