Marietta City Council Finance & Legal Committee Meeting - Jan 27, 2026
Marietta City Council Finance & Legal Committee Meeting - Jan 27, 2026
The Finance Committee convened on January 27, 2026, to review the December fiscal year financial reports, discuss budget amendments, and approve various park and street improvement projects. The committee also addressed council rules of procedure, intergovernmental agreements, and personnel compensation adjustments. Key discussions involved the allocation of over $90 million in SPLOST funds for future capital projects, requiring several reductions to stay within the budget cap. The meeting concluded with decisions on staffing salaries and the scheduling of a special meeting for a legal settlement.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the December 18, 2025, meeting.
- Acceptance of the December Hotel Receipts Report ($295,354), which is $82,000 below the projected $377,000, with a remaining reserve of $1,355.
- Acceptance of the December Auto Rental Tax Report ($98,993), increasing the fiscal year reserve to $67,808.
- Approval of the Quarterly Finance Update for the second quarter of the fiscal year, noting revenues have exceeded budget projections by 50% while occupancy tax collections are slightly lagging.
- Approval of a $600 increase to the Parks and Recreation budget to cover additional event costs.
- Approval of a $2,800 budget amendment for the Marietta History Fund to receive an $8,000 donation from a foundation for education initiatives.
- Approval of appointments for Walt to the Board of Ward 2, D. Ateman to the Historic Preservation Commission, and the reappointment of a commission member to terms expiring February 11, 2029.
- Approval of the Final Plat for the Cotswold at Keeler Woods development (Phase 2).
- Approval of variance requests for Comcast to overlash fiber optic lines at 425 Chickamauga Ave, 191 South Marietta Parkway, and 99 South Marietta Parkway.
- Approval of a request to conduct a speed study on Whitlock Avenue.
- Approval of traffic calming measures on Banberry Road based on resident petition signatures.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Covenant Morris (DMDA Representative): Expressed full support for extending the street closure for the "Art in the Park" event to 9:00 PM to accommodate the 200 traveling fine artists and welcome out-of-town visitors, noting that traffic data shows a significant drop in vehicles after 7:30 PM. The speaker indicated that while they could work with a 9:00 PM closure, an earlier start would better serve the artists and attendees, though they acknowledged staff recommendations for a later time.
- Lemuria Adams and Joseetta Walker (Zion Historic Museum): Presented a plea for support for a theatrical production titled "AD Slaves," arguing that the project is essential for preserving the history of the African American community in Marietta. The speakers expressed that the production is vital for educating the public and maintaining the legacy of the museum, noting that the volunteers are amateur and that the funds are strictly for production costs.
- Joseph Elliott (Developer Representative): Argued against the city's proposal to require sidewalks through the yards of homeowners in the Keeler Woods development, stating that the current plan to have sidewalks on only one side of the street is sufficient and that forcing sidewalks through private properties would hinder the development and look incomplete.
Discussion Items
- SPLOST Spending Framework: Chairperson Eric discussed a framework for spending approximately $960,000 in rental over funds and the broader $90+ million SPLOST plan. The group debated the use of funds for parks, tourism, and economic development, noting that the rental fund can be used for tourism capital projects but has restrictions on direct economic development. Council members expressed concerns about the lack of a clear definition for "tourism" versus "capital improvement" and requested staff to refine the framework.
- Council Rules of Procedure: A detailed review of amendments to the rules regarding unscheduled public appearances was conducted. Key points of contention included whether a speaker can remove an item from the Consent Agenda, the maximum time limits for public comments (currently 30 minutes, subject to extension), and the ability of the Chair to allow members to speak on specific issues. Council members noted discrepancies between the current draft and past practices, specifically regarding the distinction between public hearings and general discussion.
- Sanitary Sewer Code Amendment (Section 32.02): Staff proposed revising the variance process for septic systems. Currently, conflicts between Marietta Water, Cobb County Water, and the Health Department regarding septics require a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) proceeding. The amendment would grant the water authorities and Health Department the direct authority to approve or deny septic systems to resolve conflicts without BZA intervention, provided they agree.
- Sign Ordinance Amendment (Code Section 7-14): Discussion focused on moving variance authority for signs within the Downtown Myriad District from the City Council to the Historic Resource Board. The goal is to align the sign review process with the Historic Board's guidelines, reducing confusion and eliminating the need for a public variance process for aesthetic issues.
- SPLOST Tier 1 Project List Review: A significant debate occurred regarding the $93.1 million in proposed projects against the $78 million budget. Council members proposed removing the Waynesboro (Ave) widening project due to induced demand concerns, the Whitlock Avenue widening, and several park initiatives to meet the cap. There was extensive discussion on the feasibility of issuing revenue bonds (similar to the 2020 Parks SPLOST) versus using the General Obligation, and the committee agreed to refer the list to a work session for further analysis of cost reductions and funding sources.
Key Outcomes
- Budget Allocation: Approved the quarterly finance update and specific budget amendments totaling $3,400 for the Parks and Recreation department and the Marietta History Fund.
- Street Closures: Approved the street closure request for the Glover Park Concert (West Park and associated streets) with a closure time of 9:00 PM, accepting the staff recommendation over the initial request for an earlier closure.
- Training Allocation: Decided to maintain the current council training budget for the first six months of the fiscal year at $10,000 (half of the previous year's allocation) and apply the remaining $7,000 to the new budget year starting July 1st, covering the remainder of the year.
- SPLOST Framework: Directed staff to refine the spending framework for the rental over funds and return with a more detailed list of eligible projects for the upcoming February committee meeting.
- Special Meeting Scheduling: Scheduled a special meeting for Thursday, January 30, 2026, at 2:30 PM to address a legal settlement regarding a lawsuit involving a property at 9 Allen Road.
- Personnel Compensation: Retrospectively approved salary adjustments effective January 1, 2026, for the Prosecuting Attorney ($71,680), Municipal Court Judge ($71,391), City Clerk ($62,098), and a correction for the City Manager's contract.
Meeting Transcript
So I'd like to finance committee meeting to order. The first order, Mr. Mayor. Is the minutes December the 18th? It's been moved. We need a second. Mr. Anderson. Yeah. Okay. Those in favor raise your hand. Three minutes approved. The next item take, I guess, in six tax, rental tax, and quarterly finance. Okay, thank you. Kent. Council. The first three that you mentioned, um, walk through those then um that's answering that you may have. Uh so the hotel functions for the month of December was 295, 354. Um, that the um thousand for the month of was booked in December. That normal amount would be 377, which is the highest in the last four years. Um much more in line with seen for um the prior decks collections. So the total fiscal date has necessary reduction, and that leaves a reserve of thousand three hundred and fifty-five dollars for the hotel. Then the next item is the auto rental, the December auto rental total ninety eight hundred and ninety-three on seven thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars will be placed the fiscal year reserve increase the reserve um year to sixty-seven thousand eight hundred and eight. And then we will have the finance date. So this is gonna be our quarterly um finance update for the um second quarter of fiscal year. You look on page in your packet, you'll see that the year-to-day exceeded expenses by just over thirteen. This comment um and of course um the further we get into the year, the more the expenditures will revenues. Um higher because we just um initial cycle for the real estate and our real property tax prize about 23 budgeted revenue, and we have collected about eight percent um mid-year. And so all of our all the areas of revenue have exceeded the budget projections, um overall collection leading 50 percent. License and per notice is much lower. Our occupational renewal runs through the March and revenue collection will increase as the deadline approaches commercial billets meeting the budget, but we'll continue to monitor those to the spring and to the heavier construction strike cycle. Now turning to pay in the packet review the pictures that we have as far. As you'll notice our personal comprises large portion of expenditure budget the salary and business item that's 40 percent budget have conservative measures in place to monitor those expenses throughout the year. Um the expenditures incurred year to date are um include our our year-in capital for 25 and so means that um what we do end is we were that um we have fulfilled all obligations and where our exceeding is we use that overage fund our general capital. So but that is done at the end of the year, so we take money and we roll it in the next fiscal year so that they can actually purchase it. So you won't see um at year end up back to council um and request capital request for the of fiscal year two. So the of those funds is what twenty give a little background on that one question though this is the line over on page two pull over encumbrance response prior to fund dollars. Okay. Um the um for all our um PNLs for the general looks very strong. We don't have any area that we are um truly concerned about at this point. Um as I mentioned, um we have some things in place currently for our um we have already put in for instance for the in this that are not in this budget. Um expensive to budget there are some areas that will um having to address funds that will come up the budget but to we're running strong to have no real concerns, and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about any of the items have any questions uh have time to be a motion to receive and yes, please all of the favorite hands on the agenda the operation of facility budget, please yes chairman's um item is six hundred increase to the um parks and recreation budget it a umulation of functions that have been received uh events over the past order. Um receive that is being passed after there is a second line of the budget amendment on the second page, which is a area on the pass that are correct it so that showed as an amendment um in advance of any motion for tonight. So with this one, we would have um an approval a motion or approve the budget uh increase the general fund by 2600 seconds in favor three of no objection to consent thank you step the nice the budget amendment or volume yeah so the budget amendment request that by the Marietta Center to receive the eight thousand dollars from the foundation it's for the implement of education initiatives. Um this is basically an an annual donation that will be and um the history museum would like to see these funds for fiscal year asking our the council to approve the increase in the Marietta History Fund account thousand dollars and it is question so coming from the volunteer distributed one time or yes, sir. So we receive um the check um and it has been received in the but this this would allow um the tenant to actually add those funds during the digit season as it was not previously projected will receive it. It's used for perfectly educational we need a motion to um the dollars from the foundation quick question um the the expenditure budget under operating expenses the appropriate that the restrictions has yes because they are going to be that to participate size and other items that they use to enhance educational favorite three oh um can we um put it on it section next item on agenda discussion on council and training allocation yes sir we uh on there so that we could we're clear on exactly what's supposed to do for next month or this of this year. Uh it was obvious with county approval that uh it was a thousand per uh individual for new budget that take place uh law one um but goes on in general we would need to do a amendment if we're gonna put them out now uh or we just can't out that we currently have for the rest of this budget. I don't know what is the pleasure the council. Yes.
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