Kennesaw council transmits 2025–2029 short-term work program, accepts February crime stats and names SPLOST committee

The Kennesaw City Council unanimously approved several routine and planning items during an April 2025 meeting, including the transmission of the 2025–2029 capital improvement short-term work program, acceptance of February crime statistics, approval of a 10-item consent agenda, designation of a special-purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) project-selection committee, and ratification of actions taken in a closed session.

Daryl (staff) presented the annual transmittal required to maintain the city's qualified local government status under the city's development impact fee program adopted in 2010. "This agenda item is the transmittal, an annual report, prepared by your staff to maintain our qualified local government status," Daryl told the council. If the council adopts the final product after public notification, staff will transmit the report for regional review by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Council opened the final public hearing on the short-term work program, heard no public comments, and voted unanimously to transmit the report for external review. The motion to approve the transmittal passed by a 5–0 vote.

The council then approved a 10-item consent agenda in bulk by unanimous vote. The transcript does not list all consent items in detail during the audio excerpt; council recorded the consent-approval motion and a unanimous 5–0 vote.

Police Chief Mitchell presented February 2025 crime statistics. Mitchell reported increases in several categories: intimidation rose to 12 (an increase of 7), larceny-theft increased by 7 to 17, and weapons violations increased to 6 (up 5). There were 95 auto accidents in February with 13 involving injuries, 15 hit-and-run reports (none with injuries), one pedestrian struck with injuries, 690 calls for service, 1,208 self-initiated officer activities, 601 traffic citations, 656 traffic warnings, and 85 arrests. Council voted unanimously to accept the crime statistics as presented.

Mayor Derek Eichling announced the formation of a SPLOST project-selection committee to research and produce a list of projects to submit to Cobb County for the SPLOST referendum that would begin in January 2028. Marty Hughes, assistant city manager, will chair the committee. Other named members include Jennifer Gordy (Finance), Robbie Ballenger (Facilities), Bill McNair (Parks and Recreation), Ricky Stewart (Public Works), Council Member Madeline Ortena, and Council Member Tracy (last name not specified in the transcript) as council representatives.

Later in the meeting the council moved into a closed session under O.C.G.A. §50-14-2 and §50-14-3(b) to discuss land matters. After returning to open session the council voted to direct the presiding officer to execute an affidavit in compliance with O.C.G.A. §50-14-4 and ratified actions taken in closed session; that ratification motion carried on a recorded voice vote.

These items were recorded as routine and procedural approvals; no additional policy changes or funding allocations for the transmittal, consent items, or SPLOST committee were enacted during the session.