Mableton Council approves redevelopment resolution, tax‑collection agreement and retail strategy contract; outgoing council members honored

Mableton Mayor Mary Owens opened the Nov. 12 meeting by recognizing the community impacts of the federal government shutdown and announcing local resource coordination, then led the council through a series of motions that moved several administrative and economic items forward.

The council voted to approve a resolution asking the city’s legislative delegation to introduce legislation in the 2026 session that would authorize a referendum allowing Mableton to exercise redevelopment powers, including tax allocation districts, which would use future development tax revenue to fund infrastructure in redevelopment areas. Economic development Director Arlene Jones told the council the measure is the next step after an initial presentation and that, if approved by the General Assembly and the governor, the provision would proceed to a public referendum.

Council also authorized the city to enter an agreement, in substantial form, with the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) to recover unpaid or delinquent insurance privilege/occupational license taxes and fees. City staff explained GMA’s service is used by other municipalities and…