Mableton opts for one‑year joint CDBG agreement with Cobb County to access HUD funds

MABLETON — The Mableton City Council authorized the mayor to notify Cobb County that the city will enter a one‑year joint cooperation agreement to receive and have Cobb assist in administering Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, the council decided at its 2026 organizational meeting.

Director Michael Hughes and Dr. Kimberly Roberts of the Cobb CDBG program office told the council that as a newly designated HUD entitlement community the city may either administer CDBG on its own or participate in a one‑year joint agreement with the Cobb Urban County program. Dr. Roberts said the county’s program uses an independent third party contractor, Blue Link Solutions, as the program manager and estimated the city’s 2026 entitlement at about $264,000 based on a 70% allocation formula.

Hughes and Roberts recommended the one‑year joint option to speed access to funds and use existing administrative infrastructure; the council discussed capacity to administer a program in‑house and whether to hire a dedicated coordinator or a third‑party administrator for future years. Council members asked clarifying questions about who performs financial accounting and environmental reviews; Roberts said the county approves allocations and finance handles checks, while the independent contractor manages program operations.

Councilman TJ Ferguson moved to authorize the mayor to send the county a letter indicating the city’s intent to participate in a one‑year joint agreement; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The mayor noted a tight turnaround: the county required notification by Jan. 8. The council agreed staff would return with a recommendation in May on whether to enter a three‑year agreement when HUD allocations are finalized.

By choosing the joint approach for 2026, the city aims to get funding into community projects faster while it evaluates long‑term administration options.