Welcome

Today is another big day for Cobb! Cobb’s District 2 voters will vote today in the Primary Runoff for the representative they want in the General Election next month. The 200,000 people of D2 - a critical district that stretches from KSU to Vinings containing the key economic centers such as the Town Center CID, the Cumberland CID, and juggernaut The Battery Atlanta - are currently unrepresented. Today’s election takes D2 one step closer to deciding who will take on this incredible responsibility.

If you are a registered voter in D2 and you did not vote in last month’s primary, or if you pulled a Democratic ballot in last month’s primary, you can and should vote.

As a reminder, the candidates are Erick Allen and Jaha Howard. Do your research on who you think will best represent you. Confirm your district and polling place at the Georgia Secretary of State My Voter Page. You can also find your residence here on the very handy Cobb GIS map.

What’s Happening in the District 

Shamrocks…and Llamas!?

The Avenue East Cobb has a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration coming up this Thursday, March 13th, with live music, dancing, kids activities, and, yes, llamas.

From the Avenue East Cobb website:

“Feeling lucky, Adventurers? Come out to Avenue East Cobb for a shamrockin’ evening full of fun featuring festive décor, live music, and more shenanigans. Grab your lads, lassies + little leprechauns for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 13th from 6 – 8PM in The Plaza.

Experience Details:

• Live Music by Taylor Harlow

• Live dance performance by Drake School of Irish Dance

• Complimentary Face Painting

• Festive huggable Llamas

• Decorative photo wall

• Bounce House

• Green beer + themed cocktails from Peach State Pizza

• Craft beers from Round Trip Brewing

• Festive fare from New York Butcher

• King of Pops

• + more!

Retailers Happenings:

• Boll & Branch: Stop in for champagne & complimentary design consultations with a stylist. Plus, enjoy 15% off the Waffle Collection and a special gift with qualifying purchases.

• Evereve: Stop by during the event for 15% off your purchase!

The event is subject to be canceled or postponed due to weather. In the event of inclement weather, a notice will be posted on our website and social media channels (@avenueeastcobb).”

Community Spotlight 

The Cobb Master Gardeners organization is a community of volunteers dedicated to sharing research-based horticultural knowledge with residents throughout the county. Supported by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, these passionate gardeners collaborate on educational programs, demonstration plots, and various outreach initiatives that promote a greater appreciation for the natural world. From designing pollinator-friendly habitats to giving guidance on sustainable lawn care, Cobb Master Gardeners makes gardening accessible to everyone.

A key feature of Cobb Master Gardeners is their commitment to hands-on learning. They maintain demonstration gardens across the county, showcasing practical techniques that help neighbors create thriving, eco-friendly landscapes. Whether you're a novice plant parent or an experienced grower, the group's seminars and workshops offer opportunities to learn about composting, water conservation, pest management, and much more—all taught by volunteers eager to share their expertise.

Getting involved with Cobb Master Gardeners is easy: attend one of their events or follow their updates online. Each year, they host plant sales, garden tours, and unique community programs that support local projects and nonprofits. If you want to expand your knowledge or connect with other gardening enthusiasts, you can apply for their Master Gardener Volunteer training program. To explore upcoming events and discover ways to support their mission, visit CobbMasterGardeners.com.

The Big Story 

As expected and written about here earlier, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners recently voted to opt out of the homestead exemption outlined in Georgia House Bill 581. This legislation became a ballot measure last November and was passed by Georgia voters. Its stated intent was to provide homestead exemption relief to Georgia homeowners. However, Cobb County already provides homestead exemption to its residents - and provides stronger protections than what was in this bill.

Opponents stated that the language on the ballot was misleading. For those who dug into it, they realized that the measure did not lock in the homestead exemption value in the same way that Cobb County does; it introduced the ability for local governments to create a floating sales tax to make up for the loss in revenue and reduced the ability to appeal any property value assessments. Arguments have also been made that this type of legislation favors homeowners and is more punitive to renters.

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners' unanimous decision to opt out of Georgia House Bill 581 reflects a commitment to maintaining stronger resident protections. While the bill aimed to provide relief, its probable drawbacks raised significant concerns. As community members, staying informed about local legislation and actively engaging with decision-makers is crucial - your voice is your power.

Here is Cobb County’s official statement about the BOC’s vote to opt out:

Cobb County Board of Commissioners Votes to Opt-Out of HB581 Statewide Homestead Exemption

Marietta, GA – The Cobb County Board of Commissioners has voted to opt out of the HB581 Statewide Adjusted Base Homestead Exemption, which was approved by voters in the November 2024 election.

Cobb County’s existing floating homestead exemption—implemented decades ago—provides greater tax relief to homeowners by protecting against rising home values. The exemption freezes a homeowner’s taxable property value when they apply for it, ensuring that their tax burden does not increase as property values rise.

“The main reason I support opting out is because Cobb County’s current homestead exemption is far more beneficial than what is offered to residents in HB581,” said Commissioner Monique Sheffield. “We understand how this amendment can be beneficial to taxpayers in counties without a homestead exemption, but Cobb has one of the best, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

The 4-0 vote to opt out followed the third and final public hearing during Tuesday night’s meeting, where a majority of participants urged commissioners to vote to opt out of the measure. Although the amendment passed with 59% of the vote in Cobb County, many speakers admitted they were confused by the ballot language and struggled to discern the amendment’s long-term impact.

Chairwoman Lisa Cupid acknowledged residents’ frustrations. “We feel the pain of our citizens who are here,” she said. “While I recognize this bill was intended to provide relief to citizens across all of Georgia’s counties, we are very fortunate to already have a homestead in place here, which is what makes any change to this good thing we have difficult to receive and confusing if it is not clear.”

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell noted that the overwhelming number of emails her office received on the topic urged her to vote to opt-out.

Despite concerns from some speakers that opting in might jeopardize Cobb’s existing homestead exemption or the county’s senior school tax exemption, outgoing Chief Assessor Stephen White assured the board that the provision would not affect existing exemptions and would maintain whichever option is most beneficial to homeowners.

BOC Meeting Recap 

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on February 25th at 7:00 PM. The session began with the third public hearing on opting out of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption. Following the hearing, the Board adopted a resolution confirming Cobb County’s decision to opt out, aligning with Georgia law.

The consent agenda included a range of community development and infrastructure projects. The Board approved additional funding for various stormwater management initiatives and authorized grants for juvenile court programs, library system improvements, and senior services. Transportation projects were prioritized, including grant applications for the Cumberland Sweep and Noonday Creek Trail pedestrian bridge. Additionally, agreements were secured for roadway safety improvements, such as new stop-controlled intersections and a pedestrian bridge easement.

During the regular agenda, the Board advanced key county initiatives, including approving a timeline and resolution for the proposed 2028 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Program. Multiple transportation projects were approved, including contracts for resurfacing, crack sealing, and sidewalk installations along Powder Springs Road and King Springs Road.

Important Dates

March 11th: Election Day for the D2 BOC Primary Runoff

March 11th: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting