Cobb County raises monthly stipend for elections board members to $350, chair to $450

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 14 approved an increase in the monthly stipend paid to members of the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration, setting the monthly amounts at $350 for members and $450 for the chair, effective Oct. 4, 2025. The motion passed 3-2; Commissioners Joanne Burrell and Commissioner Gambrell recorded opposition.

Acting Elections Director Michael Ditry told commissioners the board’s responsibilities have grown in recent years after state legislative changes and a higher number of elections, which he said required more meetings, special called sessions and additional time commitment. Ditry described a billing and tax complication after an IRS interpretation requiring the stipends to be treated as taxable compensation.

Debate among commissioners touched on the appropriate comparator jurisdictions and the county’s other appointed boards and commissions. Some commissioners said the stipend increase was merited because the elections board now faces multiple mandatory meetings per election (pre-certification, election-night, certification) that can add to more than a dozen additional meetings in high-election years. Other commissioners expressed concern about setting a precedent for increases to other boards and the timing of a budget-neutral adjustment outside the annual budget process.

The approved motion amended an earlier, larger proposal; the board’s roll call recorded the two opposing votes and the effective date. The county will process corresponding budget transactions and execute necessary documents as directed by the motion.

Action summary: Approve increase in monthly stipend for Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration to $350 (members) and $450 (chair) effective Oct. 4, 2025 — motion carried 3-2 (Burrell, Gambrell opposed).