The Cobb County Board of Commissioners opened the first of two public hearings on Nov. 12, 2025, on a package of 2025 code amendments that would establish a stormwater utility and change rules for wastewater lift stations, building permits, animal services and other local regulations.

Jessica Gwynn, director of Community Development, told the board the public hearing is the first step in a two‑hearing process and that staff will post updated drafts before the board votes following a second hearing scheduled for Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. "We had a presentation at the work session on Oct. 28, and subject matter experts are here to present the amendments," Gwynn said.

Judy Jones, speaking for the Cobb County Water System, described the proposed stormwater package as a structural change that would codify stormwater services and create a fee charged on the monthly water bill or as a separate bill for properties not served by the water system. "What this section does is it codifies the stormwater services provided by the water system and it also sets a rate structure instead of charging based on water and sewer usage to charge based on impervious surface," Jones said. The draft sets up a credit manual with exemptions and credits, an appeals process and exemptions list; it does not set specific per-parcel rates in the ordinance text.

The ordinance language on new lift‑station policy drew sustained comment. The draft would, among other changes, discontinue approval of new public lift stations for new single‑family subdivisions and revise conditions for private lift stations. Matt Yarbrough of the Council for Quality Growth told the board he "strongly support[s] the establishment" of a dedicated stormwater fund but opposed a blanket ban on lift stations. "We believe Cobb's BOC and the water department each respectively have the wisdom to decide when a lift station is appropriate," Yarbrough said, asking the board to reject a unilateral prohibition and to focus on maintenance and funding solutions.

Environmental groups and neighborhood speakers urged adoption. Jessica Sterling of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said the proposal "provides a steady, dedicated revenue source to maintain, repair, and replace aging stormwater infrastructure, which will ultimately protect people, property, and improve water quality in the Chattahoochee River." Residents and some business groups raised concerns about rate design and timing: Sharon Mason of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce thanked staff for draft changes but recommended delaying the implementation date from June 2026 to January 2027 to give businesses time to plan and budget.

Staff and commissioners repeatedly said changes discussed at the Oct. 28 work session and during today's hearing will be incorporated into the revised drafts that will appear in the agenda before the Nov. 20 hearing. The board did not take a final vote on the code package on Nov. 12; the public hearing remains open with the Nov. 20 meeting set as the second hearing and anticipated vote.

What happens next: staff will post updated draft language reflecting work‑session and hearing comments; the board will hear the second public hearing Nov. 20 and then may vote to adopt or amend the ordinance package.