[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,74,85,97],{"_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",6164816,"mediaKeyId","5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8","parentId",5427001,"title","Chairwoman outlines county options for tenants with maintenance complaints; residents directed to building inspections and courts for remedies","audioSeconds",123,"startMs",3003000,"endMs",3126000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8&start=3003&end=3126","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8/thumbnail_3003000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164816/Cobb-County/Georgia/Chairwoman-outlines-county-options-for-tenants-with-maintenance-complaints-residents-directed-to-building-inspections-and-courts-for-remedies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164816-0af32d1d4e71db96d59987a933fa9d4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973024&Signature=cXLWIHpJO9g3zCgkgPEMKOlWw6QI9eiplBBsuQgjEwXX4chZr3JfGSxsza2Y222BtlFBzidIg509LATgxUKQj7qZUonHsvv6XBYWtwoHnEgo1VqR52wdSvz7wgoNtn7kdsbAsry6TDqBppiAiuR35SdKowuXcD7dxBSbotAGYCU60Qsjlby5JVqYJSkO0WHG0Z-pz2f1qkDbFZZJEUKqYuHEjg4DmxgZSPhdsWh5opf7Vo4uxsJme0ZwuBuSOrlCMuuWea7Z7U4YKYfT5y5vsAq7LMmtFH4FL2p0S0LnTx1MSzS38V7qTkxBmRDs0eiMGn6PCYVIq0Ci-o4mydSj3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-18T21:07:07.063Z","article","At the July 17 town-hall, Chairwoman Lisa Cupid addressed resident questions about corporate landlords and the county's role in enforcing maintenance standards for rental units.

Cupid said residents who believe their rental unit is not habitable or safe should contact Cobb County Community Development, specifically the chief building official's office, and provide the unit address to request an inspection. \"If someone is experiencing issues of their rentals, home not being habitable, not being safe to live in, you can actually reach out to our Cobb County community development office,\" she said.

She explained that for multi-family complexes, county inspection requires a resident invitation for inspection of a specific unit rather than a general complaint about a building. Cupid also referenced a recent state law that offers protections from landlord retaliation and noted court remedies available in landlord-tenant proceedings, including the defense of withholding rent and paying rent into the court so the court can compel repairs.

Why it matters: Tenants with unaddressed maintenance or habitability issues may have administrative remedies through local building inspections and legal defenses in court; the county does not itself provide direct tenant-advocacy services but enforces building codes through Community Development.

Ending: Residents with unit-specific issues were advised to contact Community Development for inspections and to consult court processes; Cupid suggested those facing poor follow-through should reach out to their commissioner for assistance with follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chairwoman Lisa Cupid \"All In\" Town Hall - 07/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","Chairwoman Lisa Cupid advised residents with habitability concerns to contact Cobb County Community Development for unit inspections and described state protections against landlord retaliation; she outlined possible court defenses such as paying rent to the court where applicable.","taxTitle","Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",3733,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":78,"_47":79,"_49":80,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6164821,"Cobb County staff to fund limited new positions, proposes 2% pay-scale adjustment amid recruitment gains",1180000,1303000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8&start=1180&end=1303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8/thumbnail_1180000.jpg","/articles/6164821/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-staff-to-fund-limited-new-positions-proposes-2-pay-scale-adjustment-amid-recruitment-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164821-242a7342c52eecaf2f90089b8b122d8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973024&Signature=AoYUwYkw2fOjH1V7FDb2o8Epd3xDF~bEsNQS4mAG9K4HTvT4JIdak7KiTuDwr92XM~5qU~FExX1VkromiAbgTy63rdu-xajIGRtnvbj4DfbqNtadIM1Mc6mRFKUjgMuFU1Kp3QghFqNVJJ2nD5-QJ-SyxsbPUo9kBXe6q9MTUKsjAR6tnb9RfrMKnPze4kJdpnw7YuW-TO4lRtNDT~j9Il7AkQZMv5ubuSSlQeO2iw1wY3i8M2eDQLJ5TW2iQ5sdg79uu1iJjBV~sVepgfHWoJR3oXUKXRLqXzS92QQ12ZGeB9ujRBExqZFD3yVzLi2weE4wQ7Y3BcznKbQhKeWMMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cobb County officials told residents July 17 that recruitment efforts have filled longstanding vacancies and that compensation changes are a notable cost driver in the proposed budget.

Chief Financial Officer Bill Volkmann said the county filled 106 previously vacant positions and that many departments asked for a total of roughly 290 new positions during the budget process. \"These are not new positions. These are positions that we had on our books that we were simply struggling to fill,\" Volkmann said. The proposed budget funds four new positions (two for fire, two for stormwater).

Officials described a proposed 2% pay-scale adjustment to keep pace with the market and avoid larger, less frequent class-and-pay studies every three to five years. The chairwoman said the board is also continuing step-in-grade increases for public safety and maintaining merit pay programs; staff estimated the combined cost of the pay-scale adjustment and related items at about $8.6 million countywide.

Why it matters: Filling vacancies affects county service capacity; compensation changes affect recurring budget obligations and long-term fiscal planning. Officials said tough tradeoffs were necessary because the board has aimed to keep the general fund millage flat while balancing departmental requests.

Ending: The county noted its conservative budgeting posture and urged residents to review the budget binder for department-level plans and to raise questions at the upcoming public hearing.","Officials said 106 previously vacant positions were filled, the board proposed funding four new positions and is considering a 2% pay-scale adjustment and continued step increases for public safety; county leaders said they prioritized conservative budgeting while addressing recruitment and retention.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6164826,"Cobb County outlines SPLOST-funded road, trail and bridge projects for FY25-26; residents urged to request traffic studies through DOT",116,2110000,2226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8&start=2110&end=2226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8/thumbnail_2110000.jpg","/articles/6164826/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-outlines-SPLOST-funded-road-trail-and-bridge-projects-for-FY25-26-residents-urged-to-request-traffic-studies-through-DOT","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164826-37f851b8a1016a4e0b76012151db8a67/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973024&Signature=NUqLRnP3ABQSnU2oDnBV3QapldBmk13nLeB5NO5vDwzHFNGd8DNIALskqkuQAZnrEKN5bMgK2OxUK1IIsbihHXak0ZQ5K99jREzSEcnaSnkHybCoLP6cmiWwvg4r2qwln4YXUrT46gn-cRenVhiW8jALoIKQ4y3ouDiEtw90fz7jUkdmEux2tnRX4lQYEDFGp3hDt9Q6IFYT154QlnD7B22Bbf4soKyvEtdpJtyInM-9EKdAXhVkaeMC~8fDGLHSCnuiJa2fExDxs6LYPHSLQbh2r5itTHRFZ4k5TcuY8Lc39jqqv8Vtw10RYR1Bdi2~xwA~P8SK1RvALjRZMqKwMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the July 17 town-hall, county leaders reviewed how Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars and other funds are used for transportation and capital projects and listed projects slated for completion in 2025-26.

Chief Financial Officer Bill Volkmann and Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said SPLOST remains the county's primary capital funding source for resurfacing, sidewalks, drainage replacements and larger projects. \"Right now, staff is evaluating where they perceive needs are and opportunities that the news plus program can address,\" Cupid said.

Transportation projects the DOT director provided for 2025-26 include the Bob Callan Trail, Lower Roswell Road improvements, the South Barrett Reliever, a Silver Comet Trail connector and the Kyle Parkway pedestrian bridge rehabilitation. Officials said these are among the major SPLOST priorities for the coming year.

Residents were told how to request traffic pattern studies: contact Cobb County Department of Transportation (DOT) by email or phone and provide specific locations and concerns. The county said traffic studies commonly accompany zoning applications and that the county's comprehensive transportation plan (updated roughly every five years) guides capital spending and prioritization.

Why it matters: Rapid housing development and growth can change local traffic patterns; SPLOST-funded projects and DOT studies are the county's principal tools to address roadway capacity, safety and pedestrian access.

Ending: Officials encouraged residents to watch for SPLOST notices, sign up for county newsletters, and contact their district commissioner or DOT to request studies or suggest capital projects.","Officials said SPLOST will fund resurfacing, sidewalks, drainage and named projects including Bob Callan Trail and Lower Roswell Road; residents were told to report local traffic concerns to Cobb DOT for study or to their commissioner.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6164831,"Cobb County chairwoman says general fund millage will stay flat; board to vote Tuesday on FY2025 millage and proposed FY2026 budget",3245,217000,3462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8&start=217&end=3462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427001-56cd76e4ee3317f9746ed93671c0cda8/thumbnail_217000.jpg","/articles/6164831/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-chairwoman-says-general-fund-millage-will-stay-flat-board-to-vote-Tuesday-on-FY2025-millage-and-proposed-FY2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164831-832a9afba9c728d49a67d998f909948a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973024&Signature=eqNvzzik1RsyKmYGb7e5gIria3HU95tRJq-syC~y~4kEIo-CHo8ScF6-yhLxSUJMtIZ8w0cUu6aY7vkdwI5ooCzpXEV-lOHx3XGZa4U4pCdSkZchtpxS88LPYp8r8AjiYcK8sKNe50YI70lfKMecbILCtsP1G3r1NguprHs5QVP9xScZYn7K-7WIwrNp7BCOuPlgSjuP0hoKd~v71iruMFJy2o3oyE487yxxMH6xzyX08erojA7zBqbvqPDg8LHsTQTaddXMFcN0Lr997gHot7l4NqowWzoB9WrDCqd9SK-fKXOsNcr43rQvKRGB9d1snVMOqP2hCE7YFWDiVuckig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairwoman Lisa Cupid opened a July 17 virtual town-hall on the county budget and said, \"Today is July 17, and we are currently in the throes of budget season.\" She and Chief Financial Officer Bill Volkmann reviewed the proposed fiscal-year plan and answered resident questions ahead of a scheduled public hearing and votes on Tuesday.

The chairwoman and Volkmann said the county is proposing to keep the Cobb County general fund millage flat while reducing the fire fund millage by 0.02 mills. \"We are proposing general fund to remain flat,\" Volkmann said during the presentation. The proposal also zeroes out the 6 Flags Special Service District millage because that area now falls within the City of Mableton's boundaries.

Why it matters: The millage the board will vote on next week applies to fiscal year 2025 collections and provides a basis for planning fiscal 2026 spending. County officials emphasized the distinction between the millage vote (which applies to the current fiscal year when tax digests and collections are finalized) and adoption of next year's operating budget.

Budget highlights offered at the meeting show roughly $48 million in countywide increases across all funds, Volkmann said. The largest single fund increase called out was $11.4 million in the water operating fund (tied to water purchases, chemicals, parts, and utilities). Officials also flagged a roughly $12.3 million increase in compensation-related costs for existing positions, driven by filled vacancies and changes in pension and health premiums.

County leaders said the budget assumes the county's digest will grow roughly 3% this year and that the board is aiming to preserve a conservative approach to maintain flat millage. As part of compensation planning, the board is considering a 2% pay-scale adjustment and continuation of step-in-grade increases and merit pay for public safety; staff estimated the countywide cost of those items at about $8.6 million.

Officials said departments requested roughly 290 positions during the process; the proposed budget funds four net additional positions (two in fire and two in stormwater) and notes that 106 previously vacant positions have been filled through recruitment efforts.

The chairwoman reminded residents that the board does not set school district millage rates and that although the board must approve the school board's certified rate as the county taxing authority, the school board itself sets its millage. The meeting also referenced House Bill 581 as the statute that would have let the county extend the homestead exemption to the fire fund; the county opted not to apply the homestead exemption to the fire fund this year.

The county encouraged residents to review the proposed budget binders and the revenue and expenditure detail posted on the Cobb County finance page, and to attend the public hearing on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Board of Commissioners meeting space at 100 Cherokee Street in downtown Marietta.

Ending: Officials said citizens can submit questions by email and that detailed budget documents, including revenue breakdowns and fund-by-fund explanations, are available on the county's finance web pages.","Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and CFO Bill Volkmann discussed the county's proposed fiscal plan, saying the general fund millage is proposed to remain flat while the fire fund millage would drop 0.02 mills; a public hearing and votes are scheduled for Tuesday.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chairwoman outlines county options for tenants with maintenance complaints; residents directed to building inspections and courts for remedies

Cobb County staff to fund limited new positions, proposes 2% pay-scale adjustment amid recruitment gains

Cobb County outlines SPLOST-funded road, trail and bridge projects for FY25-26; residents urged to request traffic studies through DOT

Cobb County chairwoman says general fund millage will stay flat; board to vote Tuesday on FY2025 millage and proposed FY2026 budget