[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6251457,"mediaKeyId","3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005","parentId",3195659,"title","Residents report delayed 911 response after Afton Downs shooting; council, police pledge review and a town hall","audioSeconds",1951,"startMs",2538000,"endMs",4489000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005&start=2538&end=4489","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005/thumbnail_2538000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251457/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Residents-report-delayed-911-response-after-Afton-Downs-shooting-council-police-pledge-review-and-a-town-hall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251457-e14d7b058759fa151036b985f6cb7443/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184099&Signature=YUY0cWumV-REM88GYMCY6rtGUahA6q5UDNMWAGfLL~ClhDSqBUvrCXisJXSph4sx3EWHjuGBGv06Mm-hRSY7IxPnkEMPQZOokyp7eSX~yoqqyC22KTokup2670g7Idzf8OjVuHdAjro7wYQuQKtQwQCWS8xsk~P4JWCmqleZ93wX2TkfIezgLgJiWl0Ja1OSNBVZZBffNvGlhdjqHWYUx70K1OOhGiC93MwwitmlNqVmzR~0fweIMk0C~TzoWwSroe8w1uqAAxdY1B6U9S3dg6MqGibclThwfDeN1oxugs0P~lhVjQfmCoV86RbdDvYRqU3o-HwUSbJIwXkG~hGtmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-06T12:17:13Z","article","Residents of neighborhoods near Afton Downs and Woodbury told the City of Smyrna’s Mayor and Council that they were awakened by gunfire in the early morning hours and that initial 911 calls were handled slowly or abruptly, leaving families sheltering in place for more than 20 minutes.

Multiple residents reported hearing sustained gunfire and said they did not initially see follow-up patrol activity. Several said 911 calls were disconnected or handled curtly.

Speakers described homes and vehicles hit by bullets and asked for clearer city communication, improved follow-up, and additional police presence. Council members acknowledged the fear and frustration expressed and said the city would work with the Smyrna Police Department and the 911 center to review response handling and communication.

Police representatives attending the meeting described the situation as an active investigation. While some residents said suspects may have been detained, officials cautioned that details remain restricted.

Residents requested additional visible patrols in the short term. Council members said they would seek a review of response timelines, dispatch handling, patrol presence, and clearer public communication.

The council did not take formal legislative action but directed staff and the police department to review dispatch performance, coordinate a community town hall, and report findings back to the council.

Residents also described bullets entering homes, damage to property, and families sheltering during the incident. City officials provided direction on how residents can receive updates through appropriate court or city channels.

Council members committed to providing an update after reviewing dispatch logs, police activity, and neighborhood feedback. No ordinance, budget action, or formal personnel action was taken at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05.05.2025 Regular Mayor and Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Residents of neighborhoods near Afton Downs told Smyrna’s Mayor and Council that multiple homes and vehicles were struck by gunfire in the pre-dawn hours; callers described slow or curt 911 responses. Council members and police pledged an investigation, a community town hall and increased patrols, but made no formal vote.","taxTitle","Smyrna, Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",4148,"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},7256888,"Smyrna council approves part-time job reclassification in Parks & Recreation",94,2381000,2475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005&start=2381&end=2475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","/articles/7256888/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Smyrna-council-approves-part-time-job-reclassification-in-Parks-Recreation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7256888-c587204edbb3a7896e3fa44fa2a499cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184099&Signature=b9QmvOz35GDRz4blpTN2XE2BMxA~P2RmfQ3uCgL38k20gZrDupMc~XGvIcoLsRzdaZzNuYx6w6V62JcDykdffrOm3ysb2EPeX-bIm1AFERWTRK3LO-L7S7V5w-o96~SROhK0H7LsiO8gOsBty82jm1NhSBmGk4fbk1RpSqNVpv2pdkVFHJq8aS64bTpis8evkmLNselU5PQaLkCL1efzCWIg3gK7zgFhzKTokrXNYjYRVEzITfhZ9WPlTAFflx2k925rtj9Yz1M0Lv-da7RCzCS9tVqnHfp4yrCcH--IwJPEWAAFqnsL6t0ybpxcB~XBGCrhiEVOUBPru356-RL5Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Smyrna Mayor and Council approved a personnel reclassification in the Parks & Recreation Department that converts a part-time receptionist role into a part-time social media and public relations specialist.

City staff presented the request, saying the department needs dedicated promotional support and HR and Parks & Recreation recommended the change. Council Member Oglesby moved the reclassification and Council Member Travis Lindley seconded.

Motion and vote: Motion by Council Member Oglesby; second by Council Member Travis Lindley. Vote: 5-0, motion passes. The mayor was authorized to execute related documents.

Council members characterized the change as a reasonable reallocation of existing personnel resources to improve departmental communications; no budget increase or new hiring authorization was discussed on the record.","The council approved reclassifying a Parks & Recreation part-time receptionist position into a part-time social media/public relations specialist to provide dedicated promotion and communications support.",{"_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},6251447,"Council approves $111,730 change order for Parkway Drive box culvert; project total rises to $496,570",144,2222000,2366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005&start=2222&end=2366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005/thumbnail_2222000.jpg","/articles/6251447/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Council-approves-111730-change-order-for-Parkway-Drive-box-culvert-project-total-rises-to-496570","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251447-28eb73cc2e57b2dbfa099c247e7471f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184099&Signature=f46LvcfkUCIZqjg9~KRCz6Ds~V7kcIbZ6wZT1DBwdGrA8RTOZS95gvo1snx00P9vhkvL601JmLD~Rhlr3L44QQrWqIR0ZR2QiKnwVQJv-yG0xhvLEvK2YTxVDUVMnDsBq4SJeh8dXQG~EtfLVTXONg277llE6YDWKh2fCw9OULwWmDiX-JjhgiWK55TokTNWk-L5UX2KPCsakVRn1rBxkyqLktoXQbSyZ3C-0Fivd4mu2f5F2-uW~14iNbXkbrU3jVEsHHOc7r6y~VqeuPjEfwYHoytcdeaqwCo4DKWU1Gpk-si3ncydcgqPeHE5zyz1RZwLuCRNcMJypjLGDOBPoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mayor and Council approved a contract change order totaling $111,730 for additional work on the Parkway Drive box culvert replacement, citing unforeseen utility requirements that expanded the project's scope.

City staff said the council previously approved the stormwater project on Aug. 26, 2024, with an amount not to exceed $384,840. Due to unanticipated utility depth and coverage requirements, the contractor—Kilometers Davis Contracting Company, Inc.—requested a change order. Public Works and finance staff recommended approval, with funding to come from the 2025 stormwater fund.

Motion and vote: Motion to approve moved by Council Member Wilkinson; second by Council Member Hines. Vote: 5-0, motion passes.

The authorization sets the change order amount not to exceed $111,730 and brings the total authorized project cost to a not-to-exceed amount of $496,570. The mayor was authorized to sign and execute related documents. Council Member Wilkinson noted the project is in her Ward (Ward 5).","Mayor and Council authorized a change order for unforeseen utility work on the Parkway Drive box culvert replacement, increasing the project's not-to-exceed total to $496,570; funding will come from the 2025 stormwater fund.",{"_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},6251452,"Smyrna council certifies 8.99-mill property tax rate for 2025 assessment notices",223,3101000,3324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005&start=3101&end=3324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195659-a90e36e4c8a382e666ba93928466f005/thumbnail_3101000.jpg","/articles/6251452/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Smyrna-council-certifies-899-mill-property-tax-rate-for-2025-assessment-notices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251452-fae29ad77e8e463af251a43a51322d27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184099&Signature=BV~pjfiOYzAUfGLKqZ12JKsJbXcq70vAbKn-0yGKL1F0Vge-U03RcQI98yrkqdkfgPoOId9gBcMLITammUwkpxNwt3p5J8QvFTapBtIik2xMHAbLPt44NFNueFz8I6YqFlRf97rZmPHtTwjwQVPlXhx2fHB-WKNdwMgJaShN0dq3~gtFqwv9jfR6lHukxMQMwIDjT4krjnhuh0CWyW5VXjJVlQGY-E8y7y0y1vPLq9-jGSVY9rI9P8t8GrMj1MyylKmiyZDFzSCN10U6ie3erdAIXpi-Sje-8TUfZaazXfqG-fbShwtqQLVnFpIm5n~GNvJUj~CS8ULvwPWV3lZh7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mayor and Council of Smyrna voted unanimously to certify an estimated rollback rate of 8.99 mills for the 2025 tax assessment notices, a required administrative step under recent state legislation.

Garland, a city staff member, told the council that the city opted out of a newly enacted statewide homestead exemption because the city's existing floating homestead exemption was more advantageous to taxpayers. Garland said Finance and Administration, in consultation with legal staff, provided the anticipated millage rate of 8.99 mills to the county tax commissioner for inclusion on assessment notices.

Garland also said that HB 92, passed during the 2025 regular session, modified prior legislation (described in the meeting as HB 581, also referenced as the \"Save Our Homes Act\") by requiring a formal vote by the governing authority to certify the estimated rollback rate. Garland presented the certification and Council Member Travis Lindley moved to approve.

Motion and vote: Motion by Council Member Travis Lindley; second by Council Member Pickens. Vote: 5-0, motion passes.

Council members noted that the 8.99-mill rate has been in place for about 13 or 14 years and said they did not expect to raise the rate. No separate public hearing or amendment was made at the meeting.","The City of Smyrna voted 5-0 to certify an estimated rollback rate of 8.99 mills to be printed on Cobb County assessment notices after staff said the city opted out of a new statewide homestead provision.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents report delayed 911 response after Afton Downs shooting; council, police pledge review and a town hall

Smyrna council approves part-time job reclassification in Parks & Recreation

Council approves $111,730 change order for Parkway Drive box culvert; project total rises to $496,570

Smyrna council certifies 8.99-mill property tax rate for 2025 assessment notices