Chairwoman Lisa Cupid says Cobb County officials are eager to work toward an agreement with the county’s six cities regarding Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) negotiations after accepting an offer from the cities to enter mediation.

The state mandates that counties and cities within its jurisdiction must establish a Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) every decade. Cobb County and the cities have been operating under such an agreement since 2004, which is set to expire on October 31, 2024.  These agreements are crucial as they prevent taxpayers from being double-taxed for the same service or services they do not receive.

The county and cities have been engaged in negotiations since March 2023 with the aim of reaching an agreement. The mediation, tentatively scheduled to start later this summer, is a significant step in this process.

“Our primary objective is to identify the services received by every resident in this county, regardless of whether they reside in a city or unincorporated Cobb County. We are steadfast in our commitment to ensure that residents are taxed equitably for these services,” affirmed Chairwoman Cupid.  “Our aim is to adhere to state law and ensure that the county and cities are on an equal footing in providing services that every resident in this county deserves.”