On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 the Cobb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) held a Work Session as the county is considering a Mobility Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (M-SPLOST) that could pay for a bus rapid transit system, a microtransit on-demand program, and transportation facilities in the county. The goals of the M-SPLOST Referendum includes connectivity to regional activity centers, mobility within activity centers, and serving the community. Drew Raessler, the county’s Department of Transportation director, detailed the options that commissioners and the public are considering: either a 0.5% or 1% sales tax, lasting for 10 years or 30 years.
Both of the Republican Commissioners made it clear they do not support a 30-year duration for the transit tax. The BOC is not considering any tax higher than 1%, and did not decide Tuesday which plan to go with. The BOC will vote on what to place on the ballot in November 2024, after receiving public feedback on the initial proposals. Over the next few months, county officials and staff will begin public outreach to get feedback on the proposals to determine which one will move forward.
The 1% sales tax is projected to collect nearly $11 billion over 30 years; the 0.5% sales tax is projected to collect $5.5 billion over 30 years.
The 30-year proposal includes a $4.5 billion transit expansion with seven bus rapid transit routes with a dedicated lane and three arterial rapid transit routes, totaling 108 miles.
Under the 10-year plan, estimated at $3.4 billion, the county would create five bus rapid transit routes totaling 53 miles.
2024 Cobb Mobility SPLOST Work Session Presentation Aug22_2023
In-Person Meetings Partner Event Pop-Ups (September through October)
- Taste of Smyrna, 9/16
- Marietta Street Fest, 9/18
- Fall-O-Ween Festival in Kennesaw, 10/7
- Farmers Markets (County Wide)
- Town Hall Meetings, 9/7, 9/25, 10/5, 10/9, and 10/19
Open Houses (October 16 -27)
- Cobb Government Center, Marietta
- District 1: North Cobb Regional Library, Kennesaw
- District 2: Vinings Library, Vinings
- District 3: Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center, Marietta
- District 4: Powder Springs Library, Powder Springs