Marietta City Council and Board of Lights and Water Work Session - June 8, 2026

This work session of the Marietta City Council covered approval of minutes, detailed reports from the Board of Lights and Water (BLW) on finances and operations, a discussion on capacity for large loads and data centers, adoption of the FY2027 budget, and previews of pending rezoning and code amendment public hearings scheduled for the regular meeting on June 10, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• May 11, 2026 Agenda Work Session Minutes: Approved with amendments, including a written disclosure from Councilman Richardson regarding a client relationship (Miss Renfro). Motion carried 6-0.
• BLW Voting Delegate for MEAG Election: Council appointed Councilmember Carlisle Kent as voting delegate and Ron Mull as alternate for the upcoming MEAG annual meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
• BLW Sponsorship – Marriott High School: Approved a three-year, $10,000 sponsorship for the football program (Hall of Fame level).
• FY2027 Budget Adoption: Council adopted the budget ordinance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. No millage rate increase. Two public hearings were held on June 1 and June 3, with no objections from citizens. Motion carried on consent.
• Tourism Grant: Placed on consent without objection.
• Beyond Every Pay and Classification: On consent.
• Boards and Commissions: Civil Service Board appointments moved forward from personnel committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget Hearings: Two public hearings were held on June 1 (12:00 PM) and June 3 (6:00 PM). At the first, one citizen and staff were present; at the second, two citizens. Questions were asked about budget structure and fund carryovers, but no objections or concerns were raised. The second hearing was recorded and posted online.

Discussion Items

• BLW Monthly Report (April 2026):

  • Water sales averaged 83 million gallons per day (budget 75 million), revenue $9.4 million (exceeded budget by $696,000), net income $4.1 million (exceeded by $1 million). Year-to-date net income exceeded budget by $524,000. Capital spending $24 million year-to-date, with $60 million remaining in CIP commitments.
  • Power costs: Total power costs were over budget by $1.1 million for the month (April) and $3.3 million calendar year-to-date. The supplemental power costs were over budget by $1.7 million in May, but fiscal year-to-date power costs are below budget by $1 million.
  • Gas prices continue to fall below budget, impacting supplemental sales. Spot market prices opened at $31.9/MMBtu in April but dipped to mid-$20s in May.
  • Non-coincident peaks and energy requirements reached new five-year highs for the third consecutive month (four out of five months in 2026).

• Mayor's Report – Large Loads and Capacity:

  • BLW has no excess capacity after the South Fulton data center contract (which will consume all current excess). Bell’s Ferry (108 MW) and other large load proposals are not active. The board discussed that future large loads (e.g., 15-18 MW) could be served via market purchases, with costs borne by the customer and no rate impact on residential/commercial customers.
  • MEAG’s new generation is 6-7 years out; a 600 MW plant is being considered, but only 40% can be used due to federal limitations. Council discussed the need for clear communication about capacity commitments.

• Tree Replacement Fund – Enforcement: Councilmember expressed concern that a property owner who cut down trees without permits was only required to pay into the tree fund, which may not deter future violations. Staff explained that the contribution was larger than a typical municipal court fine, and the property remains under a stop-work order. Code enforcement has addressed overgrowth issues.

• SPLOST 2028 Intergovernmental Agreement: The IGA with Cobb County was approved, subject to final project list approval at the regular meeting. The 2028 SPLOST (if approved by voters on November 3, 2026) would generate $13.038 million annually for Marietta. Councilman Richardson disclosed his position on the SPLOST board and partially abstained.

• Rezoning Previews:

  • Webco Builders (544 Burney Street): Request to rezone from CRC to R4 for a residential use (existing house). Requires a variance to reduce lot width from 75 to 45 feet. Council discussed re-establishing non-conforming status or other options.
  • Riverstone Custom Homes (187 Mountain View): Request to rezone from R1 to R2 to subdivide a 1.38-acre lot into two lots, keeping two homes (net neutral). No variances required.
  • David Floyd / Justin Knight (353 Campbell Hill Road): Request to rezone from NRC to residential and renovate an existing office building into a home with attached garage. Variances needed for setbacks (front to 0 feet, rear to 0 feet). Council asked for precise measurements before the regular meeting.

• Home Occupation Code Amendment: Proposed amendment to prohibit alcoholic beverage manufacturing for commercial sale as a home occupation and make cleanup changes. Council discussed removal of annual recertification for business licenses; staff noted it hasn’t been common practice.

• Executive Session: Council entered executive session for real estate acquisition (motion carried 6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: May 11 work session minutes as amended; BLW voting delegate appointment; Marriott High School sponsorship; FY2027 budget; SPLOST 2028 IGA (subject to project list approval).
• Votes: All motions carried unanimously (6-0) except where noted. Councilman Richardson partially abstained from SPLOST vote.
• Directives: Staff to advertise the open BLW board position (non-Marietta resident, Cobb County resident with business or employment using Marietta Power).
• Next Steps: Rezoning cases and code amendment to be heard in public hearings on June 10, 2026. Final SPLOST project list to be approved that evening. Extended public comment period may be allowed by majority vote.