December 12, 2023 - Voters will decide next November whether to fund transit projects through a 30-year sales tax proposal known as a "Mobility SPLOST."  Cobb's Department of Transportation (DOT) Director unveiled the detailed list of projects during a lengthy presentation before the board. Drew Raessler told the board the list was compiled after months of meeting with residents in focus groups and town halls, as well as conversations with stakeholders, local educational leaders, and online surveys.

The list will be prepared to go before voters in the November 2024 election and will be preceded by a robust public outreach effort.

Calling it “transformative” for the county's future, Chairwoman Lisa Cupid praised the work of DOT for preparing the project list. “Cobb County has been considering the robust investment in transit for nearly 50 years now,” Cupid said. “If we kick this can down the road, we know one thing for sure: Cobb County will continue to grow, and we will continue to have more transportation issues in this county.”

“Like many in this county, my choice of transportation is my vehicle,” Cupid continued. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t understand the value this can hold for the county. This is transformation.”

The 2020 US Census estimated Cobb County had 766,149 residents and 375,815 jobs.  By 2050, the  Atlanta Regional Commission  (ARC) forecasts these numbers to increase to 1,035,800 residents and 526,000 jobs.

"SPLOST" stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.  It is a mechanism to allow local governments to fund large projects through a sales tax rather than by using property taxes. While residents pay into the property tax fund, both residents and visitors pay sales taxes.

A 30-year Mobility SPLOST could generate more than $10 billion.  This would remove transit operations from the county's general fund, and provide built-out and operation of the new transit proposals during its run.