Welcome

Happy New Year! It’s been two weeks, and it already feels like so much has happened. Locally, our state government has gavelled in a new session - and campaigns are kicking into gear across the state for seats at the federal, state, and local levels. Elections are always important, but this year feels especially critical.

In this week’s newsletter, please take a moment to review the volunteer opportunity at the Marietta National Veterans Cemetery. There is a call for help from Wreaths Across America. My father is buried at the Georgia National Cemetery, where these wreaths are also placed - so I know how meaningful it is to see the hard work these volunteers put into honoring our veterans. Full details are below.

Also see below for details on an always-moving, inspiring event in Cobb celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as details on community meetings to be held in the coming weeks for the 2028 SPLOST, which will be on the ballot this year.

What’s Happening in the District 

2026 MLK Day Celebration with the Cobb NAACP!

Each year, Cobb County comes together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the 2026 celebration continues that tradition. The Cobb County Branch of the NAACP, in partnership with Cobb County Government, will host its annual MLK tribute on Monday, January 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta. The event is free and open to the public, and residents of all ages are encouraged to attend.

The program will feature a mix of musical performances, spoken word, and community reflections that focus on Dr. King’s message of equality, service, and shared responsibility. Local performers are an important part of the celebration, and the NAACP traditionally invites singers, dancers, musicians, and spoken-word artists to participate.

Many people recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day of service, choosing to volunteer or support local organizations. The NAACP program not only centers on tribute and education but also reminds attendees of the ongoing work needed to strengthen neighborhoods, expand opportunity, and build understanding across communities. If you want to observe MLK Day meaningfully in Cobb, this is a great place to start.

Community Spotlight 

Wreathes Across America - Volunteer Opportunity

I appreciate reader Tracy Stevenson bringing this to my attention. As I said at the top, I truly appreciate what this organization does for our veterans and hope this helps drive attendance for this effort.

No sign-up required!

From Tracy:

“WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CLEAN UP DATES AND TIME:
We now have some clarity on the dates and times for the wreath clean-up.

When: Saturday 1/17/2026 at 12:00 Noon
Where: Marietta National Veterans Cemetery
500 Washington Ave
Marietta, GA 30060

Come and join us for the wreath clean-up and bring some family and friends to show your appreciation for all that the veterans have done for us. This is a great activity for scout troops and other civic groups as well!

The city of Marietta has donated TWO 27 cubic yard garbage trucks to the effort at NO COST! This will speed up the process from last year as they can move along the graveyard roads and we can throw them in…and they COMPACT too! Thank you!

Bring a leaf rake (no, you don’t have to rake leaves or anything!) because you can pick up more wreaths faster, and it’s easier to carry them. The ‘leaf’ end of the rake acts as a stop as you slide the wreaths down them and drag the rake along behind you. We look forward to seeing everyone!”

The Big Story 

The 2028 Cobb County SPLOST and What It Means for You

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is an optional one-percent county sales tax. It is used to fund capital projects across Cobb County. SPLOST revenues can be spent only on long-term improvements, such as parks, public safety facilities, libraries, courthouses, and transportation infrastructure. They are not available for routine operating expenses. Each SPLOST program must be approved by voters. It is limited in duration, typically five to six years.

SPLOST has been a critical funding tool for Cobb County and its cities for decades. By spreading the cost of major projects across visitors and residents, SPLOST helps limit reliance on property tax increases, reducing the need for property tax increases to pay for large capital investments. The current SPLOST, approved by voters in 2022, will expire on December 31, 2027. The 2028 SPLOST that voters consider this year is a renewal of the existing one-percent tax, not a new tax.

This year, officials are working with residents and city partners to develop the next SPLOST project list. This list will appear on the November ballot. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners and leaders of the county’s seven cities began planning sessions in 2025. They have since drafted a preliminary list of capital needs for potential inclusion. Community engagement sessions are scheduled from January through March 2026. These sessions allow residents to review proposed projects and provide feedback. The final project list will be shaped by this input before being finalized by county commissioners.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Cobb County voters will decide whether to approve the 2028 SPLOST referendum. Approval will allow the county and participating cities to collect the one-percent sales tax for another six-year cycle, beginning in 2028, and to fund the projects identified through this process. Voter participation is important because SPLOST funding affects a wide range of public facilities and services used by residents throughout the county.

Key Draft Project Categories for the 2028 SPLOST:

1. Transportation and Infrastructure Improvements
The draft list continues to focus on road, bridge, and multimodal transportation improvements. This includes planning to support Cobb’s long-term transportation strategies and priorities. These plans are coordinated with regional planning efforts. Projects under consideration would improve traffic flow, safety, and pedestrian connectivity. They would also support the long-term sustainability of infrastructure. Many communities within Cobb County have identified targeted roadways and corridors for potential investment. These may include resurfacing, intersection upgrades, pedestrian facilities, and other capital improvements.

2. Parks and Recreation Facilities
Recreation infrastructure remains a high priority in draft planning. This includes upgrades to existing county and city parks. It also covers enhancements to recreational facilities and investments that support outdoor community assets. These improvements are intended to enhance the quality of life for residents across the county. They align with community feedback on open space and recreational needs.

3. Public Safety and Emergency Services Capital
Draft planning includes potential funding for capital needs in public safety. These needs include fire and emergency services facilities, equipment, and related infrastructure. Ensuring modern, effective public safety facilities remain a priority. This focus is part of the county's broader SPLOST investment strategy.

4. City-Specific Projects and Community Facilities
Cities within Cobb County are developing their own project proposals for inclusion. For example, Smyrna’s draft planning indicates that its portion of the SPLOST could support recreation facilities and infrastructure improvements. It may also fund significant transportation projects. These could include improvements to South Cobb Drive from Concord Road to Windy Hill Boulevard.

5. Other Community Assets and Capital Needs
Other possible projects include community facilities, libraries, cultural centers, and long-term capital assets supporting civic engagement and resident services. These options reflect typical SPLOST priorities and community interests gathered through engagement.

The final project list will be determined based on your feedback from the community engagement meetings scheduled from January through March 2026, as well as decisions by the Board of Commissioners and city councils. Attend these meetings to review proposals and share your input—your participation directly shapes which projects appear on the November 2026 ballot.

Upcoming 2028 SPLOST Community Engagement Meetings

Attend these public meetings to learn about proposed SPLOST projects and share your feedback with officials.

Jan. 15, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta

Jan. 21, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Public Safety Training Center, 2435 East-West Connector, Austell

Jan. 22, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Public Safety Training Center, 2435 East-West Connector, Austell

Jan. 29, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fullers Recreation Center, 3499 Robinson Road NE, Marietta

Feb. 5, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs

Feb. 12, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Acworth Community Center, 4361 Cherokee Street, Acworth

Feb. 25, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Smyrna Community Center, 1250 Powder Springs Street, Smyrna

March 5, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta

March 10, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw

BOC Meeting Recap 

At the January 13th Regular Meeting of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, the Board began with a presentation designating the day as Korean American Day in Cobb County. The proclamation recognized the contributions of Korean Americans to the local community, culture, economy, and civic life. It also honored the anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. Several community members and local Korean American leaders attended the recognition. This event emphasized Cobb’s growing diversity and the county’s ongoing efforts to celebrate cultural heritage. Following the proclamation, the Board moved into the consent agenda and advanced a wide range of county business. These included public works, court grants, and election administration.

Public safety and transportation were also central themes of the meeting. Cobb Fire and Emergency Services moved forward with the procurement of new vehicles and equipment. The department also received approval to begin design work on renovations at its regional training facility. Transportation staff advanced contracts for trail, sidewalk, and corridor improvements. These improvements will enhance mobility for residents. The Board also authorized several federal grant applications to support these and other transit efforts. Finally, advisory board members were reappointed, including the Employees’ Pension Plan Board of Trustees and the Planning Commission.

A major community priority received significant attention as commissioners acted to support the long‑planned veterans memorial project. For more than a decade, local advocates with the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation had worked to raise funds and engage the community in building a dedicated space to honor Cobb County’s veterans. The Board had previously committed county land and resources toward that effort. In the meeting, commissioners and foundation leaders reached an agreement on funding commitments. This agreement will allow the project to proceed and reflects a collaborative effort between the Cobnb and the foundation. Together, they are bringing the memorial closer to reality. This step acknowledged the Foundation’s fundraising work and the Board’s support for honoring veterans in a meaningful way. It sets the stage for the next phase of development.