Mableton says tax equity is central to stalled talks with Cobb County; mayor presses Austell Natural Gas for transparency
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Summary
Mayor Owens told the council the city will seek mediation with Cobb County over intergovernmental agreements and tax equity; he also urged clearer notifications from Austell Natural Gas after residents reported abrupt rate increases.
MABLETON — Mableton’s mayor told the city council on Feb. 25 that negotiations with Cobb County over service‑delivery intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) remain unresolved because the city is seeking tax‑equity credit for revenues its residents already contribute to county services.
Mayor Owens said the council has repeatedly asked for an allocation method that credits the city for taxes its residents pay into county operations and that, without that credit, numbers presented by the county do not reconcile with what the city regards as equitable.
"An IGA ... says that the county can charge whatever they want to for their services. It is up to us to decide if we want to pay for that service," the mayor said. He added that the city has agreed to pursue mediation with the county to find a neutral resolution to the dispute and noted the Department of Community Affairs deadline of May 31 as a timing constraint.
Austell Natural Gas and local rate concerns
The mayor also addressed residents’ concerns about recent steep increases in Austell Natural Gas bills and said a franchise agreement between the city and the municipal gas utility does not control the utility’s retail rates.
"A franchise agreement does not have anything to do with what rates are made up or down," the mayor said, urging residents to direct rate inquiries to Austell Natural Gas and promising the city would seek improved notification practices so the city could inform residents earlier if changes were planned.
Why it matters: Mableton’s ability to finalize IGAs with Cobb County affects how the city will receive and pay for essential services — police, stormwater and others — and could affect service levels and costs for residents. The Austell gas issue has catalyzed community concern about affordability and transparency.
Next steps
The mayor said the council has agreed in principle to go to mediation with Cobb County to resolve the dispute about tax equity and service pricing. He asked staff to continue negotiations, to prepare for mediation and to provide the council with regular updates.
Public reaction during the meeting included residents who had organized around gas‑rate notices and demand letters; several asked the council to be more vocal and to seek shared data showing which neighborhoods rely on Austell Natural Gas.