Cobb County Proposes Flat General Fund Millage Rate Amid Slowing Revenue Growth

During the Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting held on July 22, 2025, key discussions centered around the proposed millage rates for the upcoming budget year. The board is responsible for four primary millage rates: the general fund, the fire district fund, the Cumberland Special Service District 2, and the Six Flags Special Service District.

The most significant proposal is to maintain the general fund millage rate at 8.46 mills, a rate that has remained unchanged since 2018. This decision reflects a commitment to stability in funding for essential county services. In contrast, the fire district fund is set to see a slight decrease from 2.99 mills to 2.97 mills, which translates to an anticipated revenue reduction of approximately $1 million for the 2025 budget.

The Cumberland Special Service District 2 will retain its current millage rate, which is crucial as it funds a portion of the debt service related to the stadium. Notably, the Six Flags Special Service District will see its millage rate proposed at zero mills due to the establishment of the City of Mableton, which has eliminated the need for a special service district in that area.

The meeting also highlighted the overall growth in the county's net digest, which, while positive at 3.39%, is showing signs of slowing growth compared to previous years. This aligns closely with the anticipated 3% growth projected in the 2025 budget, indicating that the county's financial outlook remains stable.

A visual presentation during the meeting illustrated the impact of property value increases on tax bills. For instance, a property valued at over $200,000 in 2018 has appreciated to over $450,000 by 2024. This increase in property value directly affects tax bills, particularly for the school board and fire fund portions, as there are no floating homestead exemptions to mitigate these increases.

In summary, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners is taking a cautious approach to millage rates, aiming to balance revenue needs with the financial realities faced by property owners. The decisions made in this meeting will have lasting implications for county funding and taxpayer obligations as the community continues to navigate growth and economic changes.