Chairman to hold meetings on tax hike

Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce will hold town hall meetings to explain his proposed millage rate increase:

■ 7 p.m. July 17 at West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.

■ 7 p.m. July 19 at East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta.

■ 11:30 a.m. July 22 at Thompson Community Center, Thompson Park, 555 Nickajack Road, Mableton.

■ 7 p.m. July 24 at North Cobb Senior Center, 4100 S. Main St., Acworth (GPS address: 3900 S. Main St., Acworth).

During the first public hearing on the tax rate increase, Boyce explained he is requesting an extra 0.13 mills to fund $27 million of the $40 million 2008 parks bond.

The SunTrust Park bond of 0.23 mills is being added to the 6.66 mills in the General Fund for a total of 6.89 mills — close to the pre-recession level of 6.82 mills.

Instead of the current 9.85 mills, the new proposed millage rate of 9.98 mills is comprised of the 6.89 mills for the General Fund and the SunTrust Park bond, the .13 mill for parks and 2.96 mills for the fire fund.

This 9.98 millage rate is lower than it has been since 2012, but there is an 6.625 growth expected in property tax revenues for the $383.6 million budget.

Still, Boyce said the county does not have the funds to hire 60 more public safety officers and their vehicles, provide incentive pay for public safety officers, more pay for county employees, replace vehicles, mow the medians, restore services to pre-recession levels such as at the libraries, full funding of the $40 million park bond and capital replacement and maintenance for large mowers, armored vests and IT equipment.

Boyce video: youtu.be/byobwLwlHL0