Cobb chairman touts county’s financial stability

Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens used his state of the county address Monday morning to promote the county’s economic stability in tough times.

The county is projected to have a budget surplus, Olens said. Officials will learn more at Tuesday’s commission meeting when revenue receipts are presented.

Cobb County is the only large jurisdiction not to raise its millage rate, dip into its financial reserves, cut staff or reduce services, he added.

County commissioners did approve about $19.5 million in spending cuts last month, including the elimination of more than 30 vacant positions and a halt to merit raises for county employees.

Olens also used his speech at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce breakfast to recognize the county’s growing racial diversity.

There are more people of color on boards and committees than before. But, he said, “we can do better.”

About 23 percent of Cobb’s 691,905 residents are African-American; 11 percent are Latino, and 4 percent are Asian, according to a 2007 census report.

He plans to ask fellow commissioners to restart the county’s community relations council. The council was formed in 1988 in response to several racially charged incidents, but has been inactive for years.

“We need to make sure the minority community feels at home,” he said.

Olens spotlighted the county’s accomplishments of the past year, including the creation of a special police unit targeting high-crime areas; the approval of a $40 million parks bond; and the continued relationship with the South Korean city of Seongdong-Gu, which county officials will visit again this year.