[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6533207,"mediaKeyId","3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989","parentId",3796379,"title","Residents and council debate service-delivery negotiations after county warned of potential service cuts","audioSeconds",1951,"startMs",3809000,"endMs",5760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989&start=3809&end=5760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989/thumbnail_3809000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6533207/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Residents-and-council-debate-service-delivery-negotiations-after-county-warned-of-potential-service-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533207-7c612dcf06fbcf1b77e1b136795c51f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159016&Signature=Pe1f-8RwE7r6jxQ9d~jtvi~bUX9hlSWJiuiBNe-eIa6fCEjsHd6U2-5a40col6o3ogRMeNXD2TK1n1qRyaxdz276MS~21BZ-VadtM10qttCPuaujY-GFzCDyB0~Vn5sFCP1an6aMJqZYvOXt1Kn7ZnzfVDuarRibgd~UkmFD6ccj11KtrVKAfooLfgshPODjazzpedfZ9L6XhSPJdSzwdNVtXBL64ZYV8yjr8Jg1hF7WURS5TF0eeNoeBF5RWvl9YiPtDc9yv3UIalZM88HM8gAheEef-xz~JMe1az~BwF1DJlrC5mtTrEkNt7V-OaDFPDaLAe7Jg95cKLP~UnVfcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mableton City","date","2025-06-12T14:23:24Z","article","Mableton — Public comment and council remarks on June 11 included extended discussion of recent service-delivery negotiations between city leadership and Cobb County and a controversial county letter that a speaker said warned of service cuts.

Resident comments: Kelly Johnson, a resident who said she filed an open-records request, read language from a county email she said was sent to Mayor Michael Owens. \"That email specifically said that as of 11:59, they would cut off law enforcement services. They would cut off DOT services, and they would cut off stormwater services to the city of Mableton,\" Johnson said, adding she saw the county letter and supported actions the council took to maintain public safety. Another commenter, Sheila Edwards, said residents have felt overlooked historically and asked city leaders to demand documentation supporting county charges and decisions.

Why it matters: service delivery negotiations determine which government (county or city) provides police, roadway, stormwater and other services and can have immediate impacts on public safety and operations.

Council comments: Council members addressed the public concerns and explained votes taken in recent weeks. Councilmember Keisha Jeffcoat said she voted in favor of a contract the council discussed earlier (described in the public record as a $9,550,000 agreement in the meeting discussion) because it aimed to preserve policing services and avoid sanctions that could have led to insecurity in local policing. \"If we did not make that date…what that meant is that we would essentially go into sanctions, and there'd be some level of police insecurity,\" Jeffcoat said, describing the council's decision as oriented to public safety. Councilmember Lynn Davis emphasized he makes decisions based on what is best for the city rather than electoral considerations.

Context and next steps: Speakers called on regional elected officials to be present and accountable; Sheila Edwards asked where county representatives had been during the dispute. The council and staff said they will continue negotiations and outreach, and that some issues remain subject to intergovernmental process and legal review.

Ending: Councilmembers reiterated the need for public input and said the administration and council will continue to pursue representations and documentation from Cobb County where appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Mableton - City Council Meeting - June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters and councilmembers on June 11 discussed recent service-delivery negotiations with Cobb County, including a published county letter that a resident said warned of potential cuts to law enforcement, DOT and stormwater services; council members explained why they supported a negotiated agreement in the city's interest.","taxTitle","Mableton City, Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",55728,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533212,"Votes at a glance: council approves agenda, minutes, two commercial leases and enters executive session",515,4445000,4960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989&start=4445&end=4960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989/thumbnail_4445000.jpg","/articles/6533212/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-agenda-minutes-two-commercial-leases-and-enters-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533212-9596ca781d68ac43d7a420be4bcb78de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159016&Signature=ISDz4hE1i18HkmZV-lFRwz0SzlzHfk3OQRUpbt2-tqZpE79jXUkLcDRH~OvKY0PlQjtXK9iEhuvUeoLtALlMQpzEQ2-T6IvO8oJ5NkqzyLmXWHELKiCZeXmaSdbbQov5z32LT12g~ytlmhqZp4Nx7dqJMpSnLQrTQb8tx-p3VLfwTH35FLCWCs6RUrSrM4aveiBIIwhDW22Dn24giFeC~oG7tlgFDPi2sAur49LE5iyoTeFshr1OsaRKsQvF5SSAcv28WKb6nE4UVjvOcHCqIZcz-j6aO87fBAMf0~EQT2H-2clZ3dMqNbpBlOmr~MWS-uDJS5O5cUdws-KFBJ4G3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mableton — The Mableton City Council recorded a series of procedural and contract votes during its June 11 regular meeting, approving the agenda and consent minutes and authorizing two property leases needed for municipal operations.

Highlights and outcomes

- Agenda approval: The council approved the meeting agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Deborah Herndon; the chair called for voice vote and \"the ayes have it.\"

- Consent agenda: The council approved minutes from prior meetings (May 28 work session and regular meeting; May 30 special called meeting) as the consent agenda. The motion was approved by voice vote.

- Hawthorne Plaza lease (municipal court): The council approved an agreement with Atlanta Commercial Real Estate Brokers for lease of Suite 30 at Hawthorne Plaza (1245 Veterans Memorial Highway) to provide municipal-court space adjacent to the city administration building. The motion was amended to \"authorize the mayor to execute and finalize the agreement,\" and the council approved the amended motion by voice vote. Council discussion noted the suite’s courtyard, private parking and the landlord’s in-house construction capability, and staff said the city aims to have court space ready by October or by the end of the year depending on build-out.

- Office expansion lease (community development): The council approved an agreement with MCRE Management Partners LLC for Suite 136 at 6116 Mableton Parkway to provide additional office space for community development staff. The motion authorized the mayor to finalize and execute the agreement; council approved by voice vote.

- Executive session: Council voted unanimously to enter executive session for personnel and real estate matters later in the meeting.

Votes and procedure: Most approvals were by unanimous voice vote and recorded in the meeting as \"the ayes have it.\" Individual roll-call votes were not read into the record for these items; the meeting record shows no recorded no-votes for the items described above.

Ending: With no further business reported from executive session, the council adjourned the meeting.","At its June 11 meeting the Mableton City Council approved the evening's agenda, the consent minutes, two lease agreements for municipal and office space and voted to go into executive session for personnel and real estate.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533217,"Council backs steps to establish 'Keep Mableton Beautiful' affiliate; application fee budgeted",409,3346000,3755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989&start=3346&end=3755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989/thumbnail_3346000.jpg","/articles/6533217/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Council-backs-steps-to-establish-Keep-Mableton-Beautiful-affiliate-application-fee-budgeted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533217-f62b554cfe04661887567e9587a1d344/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159016&Signature=HQJ8m~Z0aSBY9IKerlMZhyTYoSOpWlYYxNESoNKiFNFCmW7hhS0hI-itwILFX4gmUmH4-XqUVNcfewnTtd8hUFyHh30s7SnRT-CUIiqLYDiwEx0YaT0tc3WSmVz8u4lenoLIad9XQ~UA3FbIhXYofpW6N431ydWL10rUyNgXYvm6yoO-usiKk7j90d5MQV73n-IcxxpRFd~DIDcvU7bsPVA3zJWG~PDjSN3Def1ebNxyEHKuVnlOj5LV8BnUxCq1p6EmZZZLWGAk5Ge7O8MjgxW1Gqt4Wnoc-t0BN4FH-9WxUnCvw1tGmO4eBVqAJOSNsIxf15PgyKtQaccGO4IR5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mableton — The council received an introductory presentation June 11 on forming a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, \"Keep Mableton Beautiful,\" that would organize volunteer cleanups, recycling events and beautification projects and create access to affiliate grants and training.

Sustainability and Beautification Director Emily Croft described steps to affiliate with Keep America Beautiful, including a letter of support from the mayor or council, a one-time application fee (budgeted to start as early as July 1), council representation on the affiliate board, affiliate and community training and bylaws. \"One of the more exciting pieces is that this group can also file for a nonprofit,\" Croft said, adding that a separate 501(c)(3) would enable fundraising beyond the Keep America Beautiful affiliation.

Why it matters: An affiliate would centralize volunteer cleanups, create a predictable calendar for recycling and hazardous-waste events, and make Mableton eligible for small grants and in-kind support from the national nonprofit and its statewide network.

Council and staff context: Mayor Owens said $25,000 was previously allocated to beautification programs and that staff paused the effort until a director was in place. Council discussion clarified two training tracks: an open community training for larger volunteer committees and a smaller affiliate training for the formal seven-member board required by Keep America Beautiful. Croft and the mayor said staff will submit the letter of support and bring formalization options (resolution or ordinance) to the city attorney for review.

Program items mentioned: an Adopt-a-Road (city limits) program, an America Recycles Day calendar, a Great American Cleanup event, a possible household hazardous-waste event for the summer and existing drop-off locations for composting and small electronics at 6116 Mableton Parkway.

Ending: Council members indicated support to proceed with the application and to engage the 23 community volunteers who previously signed up to help launch the program.","Council heard a briefing June 11 on forming a Keep America Beautiful affiliate for Mableton, including an application, two-tier training, a potential 501(c)(3) arm and the use of $25,000 previously budgeted for beautification work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533221,"Community Development director outlines new staff, permitting software and comprehensive-plan schedule",860,2297000,3157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989&start=2297&end=3157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989/thumbnail_2297000.jpg","/articles/6533221/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Community-Development-director-outlines-new-staff-permitting-software-and-comprehensive-plan-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533221-4b36a31e76f4c856449ddf4c62e1e739/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159016&Signature=eqb640~gJ2o7AJt-db1v9BqRvp2B3i-KWBcUH0aAi~ApOLyKWOu-6hCjiSJyu5Vp3EIAa8Lbe3PSgbwpyEmJMTidUPgIWk-Kei0KhbwbryuUSQ2zTVA0D16YSHxH7FYrJgryuNcglIAKJFnHNcQxyydzOM9kVFDtrTP0ayZPT7cn3iV~1M6g7eXZPgHgYS9ojDmpotvgIFwM3ujMK9K4JLAJR--4JEA2ri5oz765e5Snzj-qUrYMcaKZisJ9yw-aijJFhoL-lc4C9ohlt3fczbg1Hd4LzKFVI0B1PjL5eCRB79BWD7Zwd6ARNfGUe5Hw8D-BDIFlW22LCoKSYdWmWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mableton — Community Development Director Michael Hughes briefed the council June 11 on staffing, code and permitting changes underway and near-term projects for the department.

Hughes said much of the management team has been in place for less than four months and that staff have completed a series of ordinance adoptions and regulatory updates. \"A majority of our community development management team actually has been here for less than 4 months,\" Hughes said, adding that the team is experienced and has accomplished significant work in that time.

Why it matters: Community development work drives permitting timelines, code enforcement and land-use decisions that affect development, housing and public infrastructure.

Permitting and technology: Hughes said the department will roll out Cloudpermit (a cloud permit software) to handle business-license submissions, building permits, planning and zoning, and code enforcement. He also said staff met with ESRI to explore GIS and with a vendor to evaluate Bluebeam for electronic plan review.

Building and inspections: Hughes reported 251 building permits issued and 315 trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) since March 1 and nearly 400 building inspections completed. He said the city obtained a local issuing authority for land disturbance on April 28 and is coordinating land-disturbance reviews with Cobb authorities and Georgia Soil and Water Conservation.

Zoning and boards: The city established a Board of Zoning Appeals and has advanced re-zoning and special-land-use applications through the planning commission. Hughes said a special land-use permit for a soccer club (referred to as the \"sworn football club\") completed the process and was approved by council; another rezoning for a church on Klipsch Drive is pending before council. He also said staff is developing an historic-preservation ordinance tailored to the Concord historic area and that, when an ordinance is in place, council can appoint a historic-preservation commission.

Staffing and next steps: Hughes said the department is hiring senior planner and planner positions and is considering additional site inspectors. He emphasized work to reduce phone-system issues and to provide clearer public-facing web information about business licensing and permitting requirements.

Ending: Hughes closed by offering to meet one-on-one with council members to review projects in their districts and to provide a public information meeting on the Mableton 2045 comprehensive-plan process; a public meeting was scheduled for June 12 and information can be found at mableton2045.org.","Community Development Director Michael Hughes told the council June 11 that the department has new leadership, is rolling out cloud-based permitting and is progressing on a comprehensive plan (Mableton 2045) and several ordinances, including historic-preservation and tree-preservation drafts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533226,"Mableton holds public hearing on FY26 budget; council proposes tree fund, carries forward 6 Flags special-district revenue",638,1241000,1879000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989&start=1241&end=1879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796379-dbab1f44ed119832567183ce1b72b989/thumbnail_1241000.jpg","/articles/6533226/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Mableton-holds-public-hearing-on-FY26-budget-council-proposes-tree-fund-carries-forward-6-Flags-special-district-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533226-eeb7aa0872f948becdb2c7c9e6467815/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159016&Signature=b37nmFC1NiyxSRGAgztNaU9jBqS2CVfnlNRzSJa90QShjeBgy0LAeCX-M8J-8keorCyvW5KplMjrlRty1ISKo6fpY2IqxCoxEtfSyy9hEKwlyCs9EMgKo~Xo8daM4-lz4cK9upQLSFAuqbmm9UbePcBKX4prweE~aCQfS9efBFQq~7gzAPVTUX-tKrO8EqcCEmdsnKDw0vsEFbIJZvPSgsJTgvqiJBtXegWJs1LA8-vYfJh8jtQayyntmWJF0m1BLXrPHf3Gvq-2P4~KoNZ-fpDGf3P1jCQGGrtG2nDAwDdWtQxko51cyLW9GGPTEaL8EnOHoGtuKSGRpOnXqIhUWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mableton — The Mableton City Council on June 11 heard a presentation on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and opened a public hearing before closing it later that night. Finance Director Karen Ellis told the council the proposed budget totals $19,211,093 and includes the general fund, a newly established tree fund, a hotel-motel fund, a 6 Flags Special Service District fund carried forward from Cobb County, and a capital projects fund.

Ellis said the budget was developed from priorities the council adopted in February and that the document will be finalized at the June 25 public hearing and adoption meeting. \"The fiscal year 26 budget includes resources that will allow the city to provide a high level of general government services to the citizens of Mableton,\" she said during her presentation.

Why it matters: the proposal sets staffing and program priorities for Mableton’s second full year as an incorporated city and establishes new funds that will shape tree planting, special-district work in the 6 Flags area and capital acquisitions.

Key details from the presentation: Ellis described a balanced budget that draws on prior fund balance while maintaining a 33% reserve. The fiscal summary in the presentation lists the general fund at $16,026,093. The proposed general fund content included $9,148,000 for personnel and related benefits, $4,404,900 for operations and equipment, and $1,960,000 for capital improvements; a line for related debt service was also mentioned. The budget packet posted to the city website will show vehicle-related TAVT receipts listed under property taxes for auditing purposes, Ellis said.

Council members asked for placement details for several line items. On the tree fund — a new line item — Ellis said the council is proposing an initial allocation to seed the program; sustainability and beautification director Emily Croft told the council that designation as a \"Tree City\" is a recurring certification from the National Arbor Day Foundation and \"helps to unlock additional grants, and tree programming from the Arbor Day Foundation.\" Croft and Ellis said that specific tree-planting projects will come back to council for approval once staff develops project proposals.

The budget also carries forward funds for the 6 Flags Special Service District. Ellis said the city received Cobb County figures for expected revenues and expenditures related to that fund and has included the district as a separate fund in the FY26 presentation. Other funds noted were a hotel-motel tax fund (presented conservatively) and a $750,000 placeholder in capital for future land acquisitions and equipment.

Public comments: During the public hearing, a Cobb County Master Gardener asked where tree plantings would occur; Croft replied that the fund will be project-driven and any expenditure will be brought to council before implementation. Other attendees spoke in favor of the city's priorities and thanked staff for the budget work.

Next steps: Ellis reminded the council that final adoption is scheduled for June 25. The council opened the public hearing during the meeting and later closed it with no adoption that evening.

Ending: The council directed staff to post the full budget document online and to return on June 25 for final consideration and adoption.","City finance director presented a proposed $19.21 million FY26 budget June 11 and opened a public hearing; council and residents discussed a new tree fund, a carryover for the 6 Flags Special Service District and next steps toward adoption on June 25.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents and council debate service-delivery negotiations after county warned of potential service cuts

Votes at a glance: council approves agenda, minutes, two commercial leases and enters executive session

Council backs steps to establish 'Keep Mableton Beautiful' affiliate; application fee budgeted

Community Development director outlines new staff, permitting software and comprehensive-plan schedule

Mableton holds public hearing on FY26 budget; council proposes tree fund, carries forward 6 Flags special-district revenue