[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6339098,"mediaKeyId","2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d","parentId",2265311,"title","Cobb County budget division honored with GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award","audioSeconds",174,"startMs",962075,"endMs",1136559,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d&start=962&end=1136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d/thumbnail_962075.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339098/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-budget-division-honored-with-GFOA-Distinguished-Budget-Presentation-Award","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339098-1d3f52196a973383f3eecbd8ab5e56b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771041031&Signature=fiGpQGLZtEmnYyfV36COejliVu5ZAwmt80J4QmlFXwISQnhINztj6e6074xp7CTqdK0KhiGQa~UHa0Fs7ewDNRAC0MbqqB~ypQ8AqbkBhvAfkFsTEjaGix9E577wgMFaResg3La4MRGkCTiLVcPDcFG24g81yHF9r0FxJ3luNeiL6fUe8zfvaPWpjbwjyWznnzHPLyDGWu5EUxEMaatzzGK9JOIqJH~I08Qg8oa40XMjb-86UuGdY2tjZa8nbu9pTDieJbnypJUyM5KhbDHbixFb5Yzy2YFoH6lvGEAVZQZ79~iWDq0jIo7R27EzwVhYW~R~T~ohTvhlpSohIE0vjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-12T04:21:49Z","article","Cobb County leaders recognized the county budget division Feb. 11 after the Government Finance Officers Association awarded the department its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and a special recognition for the county’s capital program.

County Manager Dr. McMorris presented the award and praised the budget division for producing the county’s biannual budget book, which the manager said met GFOA’s rigorous criteria. The manager said the county also received special recognition for its capital program, an honor given when all reviewers on the GFOA panel award the highest possible score in a category.

The budget division manager thanked the departments and board for their support and noted the team has received recognition repeatedly during the manager’s 11 years in the position. A budget division representative thanked the team and named ‘‘Susan and her team’’ for their contributions during the ceremony.

The board asked commissioners to join the budget team for photos after the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meeting - 02/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","County leaders recognized the finance department's budget team for earning the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and a special recognition for the capital program during the Feb. 11 meeting.","taxTitle","Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",3733,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6339103,"Hearing for Vape Vibes alcohol license continued to March 11 after applicant missed notice",130,7238500,7368890,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d&start=7238&end=7368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d/thumbnail_7238500.jpg","/articles/6339103/Cobb-County/Georgia/Hearing-for-Vape-Vibes-alcohol-license-continued-to-March-11-after-applicant-missed-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339103-0f2c974cf52f85f1db5a6572a4dcb3d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771041031&Signature=KRFg069WxQTzQVd3pz0lh1AQrJ9BaV9tHKgAWlJnp1kcm80wBq0YDoLIDdG~sa5ZEpK~FVwOHZvwSJIkagJnZPRTZwVlyqQlYKkXLJwCapnZDLxV804nz4LwrAyh0uYak8v2Xs-3teMEVtfeNYMgP6CvQRztvWwsGkSdXAcarM0a~2TPcowEafRIzmP-MSNB6JXXbXiVc8ihu9tj-E~Y-2Z63jfquJZ69cnNMp7J17ISHssVTbn9pJfp-yP9MXFAPX~LdwofVQUUA3b6L~OAbjQ7Yr8EM3qxI3ijaDhcn7uU1umoaoIECmE5FhI6UR8iWUnOThKydi4ThWdzoReIGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted to continue an alcohol-license appeal hearing for Vape Vibes LLC (doing business as Vape Vibes, 4968 Austell Road, Mableton) to March 11 after the applicant told staff he had not received notice of the Feb. 11 hearing.

Sam Hensley Jr., attorney for the business license division, told the board that the division had evidence an email and mailed notice were sent but could not prove delivery and that the applicant, Mr. Rohail Hatta, said by phone he had a conflict and requested a continuance to March. Hensley recommended the board grant the continuance; Commissioner Sheffield moved to continue agenda item No. 50 to the March 11 hearing and the board carried the motion 4-0.

Procedural follow-up: Commissioners and staff discussed improving notice procedures for license hearings; one commissioner suggested certified mail and follow-up phone calls to reduce the chance of missed hearings. The business license division said it will review its notification process.

The board recorded the continuance and will consider the application at the March 11 meeting.","The board continued the hearing on an alcohol license application for Vape Vibes LLC to March 11 after the applicant said he did not receive notice of the Feb. 11 hearing; staff recommended rescheduling and the board approved the continuance 4-0.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6339108,"Votes at a glance: Cobb commissioners approve transportation, parks and IT contracts and budget adjustments",629,4979280,5608489,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d&start=4979&end=5608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d/thumbnail_4979280.jpg","/articles/6339108/Cobb-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Cobb-commissioners-approve-transportation-parks-and-IT-contracts-and-budget-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339108-13577fedfa8f8a5bd1d818611c5e7ea3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771041031&Signature=PwRLyxBWHFI1fHCuLTp5ZDSTvxWWaa5gVwSZ~6H7NFdFRne1d3D7-uJOTf4ot0xknVJHjZvsEkQbHNQk0hiAaeFYADxuFU1vzGoN7eaDlptcfrJ9~7Byu8ZjlT~xdKqjftmM0PdP8P~h2x2C7ApEUCtcdc929sDLVXIrUuSLw36d~HAOsBD3QlWQAkrXDfXeHap05vVQjGyhULbeO0EG2UHutVU7onu0jtyB08rZlXY-rv7sW5vj7UdDDhnk8~GeUtOHEUiNGarQ67JdOvWR8FZuLm-ilGIqE9N0p4Qwa5vBS53h-OH6Ya6iaS~T4HWlo8nA6XLjWCuVTbFjJoFLTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cobb County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 11 approved a range of contracts, consultant agreements and budget reallocations across transportation, parks and information technology. Most items passed with unanimous recorded votes (4-0) as part of the regular agenda.

Key actions approved (motions recorded at meeting):

- East–West Connector: Preliminary engineering design task to LOA Engineers, LLC for up to $84,472 (project B23OA). Motion carried 4-0.

- Cumberland Parkway resurfacing: Contract with Acceler Construction LLC for up to $228,700 (Cumberland Parkway from Paces Walk to Paces Ferry Road). Motion carried 4-0.

- Cumberland Sweep corridor work: Two consultant agreements with Kimberly Horn and Associates for preliminary engineering design — Segment D not to exceed $418,250.09 (project B2434) and Segment E not to exceed $558,992.85 (project B2433) — plus a memorandum of agreement for Segment F with the Georgia Department of Transportation and a $35,000 preliminary engineering oversight fee. Each motion carried 4-0. County staff said the Cumberland Community Improvement District and outside grants support these projects and that the county is serving as grant administrator; county funding was not pledged.

- 2011 Transportation Improvements Program: Approved a revised budget and schedule for SPLOST-funded projects. Motion carried 4-0.

- Parks projects (2011 PRCA SPLOST pool): Reallocated unspent funding totaling $805,432.08 to complete open projects; approved concrete replacement at Rhine Park with WE Contracting Company (up to $263,400), fence replacement with Malden and Cook Fence Company (up to $213,800) and electrical/LED upgrades for athletic lighting at Rhine Park with All Star Electrical and Lighting Services (up to $283,566.40). Each motion carried 4-0.

- ITS/Community Development: Approved a five-year sole-source contract with Acela Inc. to migrate county permitting software to Acela Cloud, contract amount $2,486,049.03. Meeting materials listed a 10% contingency amount of $29,800; that contingency figure is mathematically inconsistent with a 10% contingency on the approved contract amount. A true 10% contingency of $2,486,049.03 would be $248,604.90; meeting materials appear to include a typographical error. The motion carried 4-0.

Procedural note: These items were considered on the regular tab with brief staff presentations and limited discussion; several motions were made, seconded and carried with recorded 4-0 votes.","At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved multiple project contracts, consultant agreements and budget reallocations across transportation, parks and ITS. Most motions passed by unanimous 4-0 recorded votes.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6339112,"Cobb County holds second public hearing on House Bill 581 homestead cap and possible opt-out",1485,2267505,3753460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d&start=2267&end=3753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d/thumbnail_2267505.jpg","/articles/6339112/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-holds-second-public-hearing-on-House-Bill-581-homestead-cap-and-possible-opt-out","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339112-15e2b22a3870baa9eaa688b21832e7b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771041031&Signature=gLVMEGaDxNQWY9gudGEj3mJ9ona1cacecIC-5yrCsJx0h1TxqbKpdJjxBO2jmSyVFMTK8WjcwXDUVbTPnXeaT-CViFTYM3XZ~T~6n2N4~l9Jjq0qgD00IP-iejAB7fuDEhYK7PBQH13hEsLhcvGNudH8~KDYdnS3OGFPUkD8ItA34lKEKh-Yd-41xJyxRuMDAzFt3DamKZ0oDC4IZMIm~opA5iPfabw2YstzZh97E6enzpG0q~4Knsn5Ufe9XARMWQnRxZHlsf~pVOE64ASu3H0CTdYE8O~hfsswqm9DTsiMHHAmGfKzECVQyEZ2ywz~Je4BvdwCtXj0IqVUCJCZ1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cobb County held a second public hearing Feb. 11 on whether to opt out of House Bill 581, the new state law that creates a statewide homestead float designed to limit the taxable-value increase for homesteaded properties to the inflationary rate set annually by the state revenue commissioner.

Chief Financial Officer staff explained the law and how it would apply in Cobb: the law, effective Jan. 1, 2025, authorizes a statewide homestead float that caps increases to the taxable values of homesteads according to a percentage tied to the consumer price index as provided by the revenue commissioner. County staff told the board the change would effectively begin limiting increases in 2026, while taxable values for 2025 would carry forward at 2024 levels. Staff also said the county’s general fund existing homestead freeze would not be affected; however, because the county’s fire fund currently does not have an existing homestead float, that fund could be subject to the statewide cap if the county remains in the program.

Public comment and concerns: A number of residents urged the board to opt out. Christie Minor told the board, “Please opt out of 5 81.” Resident Lee Ramkin warned about sales-tax offsets and said, “A 1¢ increase is a 17% increase in sales tax. A 3p increase in sales tax is a 50% increase in sales tax. None of us can afford a 50% increase in sales tax.” Other speakers — Dondra Roberts, Craig Harfoot, Christine Rosman and others — also urged the county to retain local control and opt out.

Board and staff clarifications: Commissioners asked staff to clarify how House Bill 581 interacts with local sales-tax options described in state law: FLOST (floating local option sales tax), LOST (local option sales tax) and HOST (homestead option sales tax). Staff explained that FLOST is the new option created under House Bill 581 and that LOST and HOST are existing options; all of these require voter approval before a sales-tax levy could be imposed. Staff also explained the county has three available sales-tax “slots,” two of which are already used, leaving one available for an additional approved local tax if voters authorize it.

Next steps and schedule: Commissioners said they will hold a final public hearing and then take a vote in the coming weeks to meet the statutory opt-out timeline. The board scheduled one more public hearing at the board’s night meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at 7 p.m., and staff emphasized the need to meet the March 1 statutory deadline if the board votes to opt out.

No formal opt-out vote was taken at the Feb. 11 meeting; the public hearing was the second in a required series and the board indicated it will consider a resolution after the final hearing.","County officials explained how House Bill 581 would limit increases to taxable values on homesteaded property and noted the county can opt out; residents urged the board to opt out. The board scheduled one more public hearing and plans a vote in the coming weeks to meet statutory deadlines.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6339117,"Cobb County appoints Michael A. Cunningham as fire chief",356,1237715,1593965,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d&start=1237&end=1593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2265311-8d9cabdefc66ddfbed2dc52687fedb5d/thumbnail_1237715.jpg","/articles/6339117/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-appoints-Michael-A-Cunningham-as-fire-chief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339117-57285757df0ad46b9fa7c69bdfb0db78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771041031&Signature=mjocKuNU5zpXbh8bnPk83MDaiKbx1pN1d-t38JikkXu7yd050mn7i4tm6IM8AJZ7SgVNyiHLjf4JHlhA7lJvg5sJg-0ZWasZMasg0QIcpGjKhtZ596p3Dw6O6uYHCkjOEg3kyNUsfLJR1o89G1X-vGsTv00zlU1krKJf6igKETLXwkqXDKH~~JgXscFROcrmUqHn2dYwiEMRuE1Paps8xEyrkJqLHpneiRJKq4Eqnhr61TM8Ta32oLHfG99pYK~Uoz-QhpKYB2jMelD8htMGN~6zBuHmrMPX6ImWfE5zFH4zW~rcEMiTz-0WP7hg6jMUUcOYWuT4b4D30Sr2pmTUrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Feb. 11 to approve the appointment of Dr. Michael A. Cunningham as the county's fire chief following a recommendation from County Manager Dr. McMorris.

Cunningham, who joined Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services in February 2005, was promoted through the ranks from firefighter to engineer, lieutenant, captain and chief of staff. The county manager told the board Cunningham has advanced through multiple leadership roles and holds an Associate of Avionic Systems from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Bachelor of Computer Science from Troy University, an MBA from Kennesaw State University and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from Grand Canyon University. The manager also noted Cunningham has earned the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing and completed leadership programs including Leadership Cobb (2023).

Why it matters: The appointment names a permanent leader for Cumberland County's firefighting and emergency response operations after an internal selection process. The board recorded no opposing votes.

Commissioner remarks and ceremony: Commissioner Brown and others offered congratulations on the appointment. At the dais and later on the podium, Michael A. Cunningham called the appointment ‘‘a humbling experience and an absolute honor’’ and said he was ‘‘honored to stand alongside you and continue this tradition of excellence while we serve this department, this community, the citizens and visitors.’’ He thanked the board, County Manager Dr. McMorris, the department’s command staff and his family.

Formal action: The board moved to approve the county manager’s recommendation and the motion carried 4-0. No effective date beyond the appointment announcement was stated during the meeting.

The board invited Cunningham’s family and department command staff forward for remarks and for a group photo after the vote.","The Cobb County Board of Commissioners appointed Dr. Michael A. Cunningham as county fire chief in a 4-0 vote on Feb. 11 after a recommendation from the county manager. Cunningham, a longtime department member and Air Force veteran, pledged to continue the department's tradition of service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cobb County budget division honored with GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Hearing for Vape Vibes alcohol license continued to March 11 after applicant missed notice

Votes at a glance: Cobb commissioners approve transportation, parks and IT contracts and budget adjustments

Cobb County holds second public hearing on House Bill 581 homestead cap and possible opt-out

Cobb County appoints Michael A. Cunningham as fire chief