Marietta committees approve budget reconciliation, tourism allocations and multiple consent items; votes at a glance

Marietta committees on Oct. 14 voted to approve a year-end budget reconciliation, accept several restricted donations, and move forward on a set of planning and operations items, including a final plat for the Greenhouse Phase 2 development and a donation of right-of-way for a future sidewalk at 105 Ayers Avenue.

The finance presentation noted September hotel-motel collections were the lowest since fiscal 2022, though fiscal-year-to-date hotel collections remain above budget; auto-rental revenues were below prior-year levels but remain close to budget. Staff reported first-quarter revenues about 21% of annual budget and roughly $1.2 million ahead of the comparable Q1 last year, with property taxes, insurance-premium payments and intergovernmental transfers among the largest drivers.

Council committees approved the annual budget reconciliation, which moves year-end savings into capital and operational adjustments and identified $2,580,000 of capital available in the general fund for FY26. Parks and Recreation received and accepted $2,000 in Harvest Fest sponsorships and the Marietta History Center accepted a $20,000 restricted annual donation for exhibit rentals and updates.

Public Works accepted a 626-square-foot quitclaim deed donation of right-of-way from a developer at 105 Ayers Avenue to permit future sidewalk expansion, and the Planning Department approved the final plat for Greenhouse Phase 2 (140 units) after staff found no technical deficiencies.

Committees also authorized staff to submit two GDOT grant applications (a transportation "digital twin" project and a Cherokee Street scoping study) and approved a motion to allocate $175,000 from the tourism reserve to support marketing and events tied to Atlanta-area activities around FIFA World Cup 2026 and the United States' 250th anniversary.

Votes at a glance

- Budget reconciliation: approved (committee motion, passes). - Receive and file hotel/auto collections report: motion passed (committee consensus, 3-0). - Accept Harvest Fest sponsorships ($2,000): approved (consent). - Accept History Center donation ($20,000, restricted): approved (consent). - Certified election results and appointment, Civil Service Board Post 4 (Donald B. Barth): certified and appointment approved. - Fund police co-responder program using opioid-settlement funds: approved (committee motion; budget amendment to be prepared). - Approve Wildwood Park reallocation ($33,746.82): approved. - Allocate $175,000 from tourism reserve for World Cup/250th activities: approved (3-0). - Grant NAACP an additional $20,000 (tourism funds): approved (consent). - Final plat Greenhouse Phase 2 (140 units): approved (3-0). - Accept donation of 626 sq ft ROW at 105 Ayers Ave: approved (consent). - Set vehicle-immobilization removal fee for passenger vehicles to $75: approved (committee).

What remains pending

Several items were referred to future work sessions or outside counsel review: (1) a proposed public-gathering/expression ordinance was tabled and the committee directed staff to hire a constitutional-law firm for drafting or review; (2) an alcohol-code revision to clarify ancillary wine and malt-beverage on-premise rules will be reworked by the city attorney and finance director and return to the agenda work session; and (3) the downtown solid-waste/dumpster-enclosure plan will move forward at a downtown location after additional outreach with nearby property owners and stakeholders.