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Cobb announces record high tax digest amid budget troubles

Stephen White, the director and chief appraiser for the Cobb County Tax Assessor s office, qualified for an exemption from county school taxes after his father moved in with him and White added him to his property deed. JOHNNY CRAWFORD / FOR THE AJC
Stephen White, the director and chief appraiser for the Cobb County Tax Assessor s office, qualified for an exemption from county school taxes after his father moved in with him and White added him to his property deed. JOHNNY CRAWFORD / FOR THE AJC
By Meris Lutz
June 28, 2018

Cobb County announced a record high tax digest of $36.7 billion Thursday, a nine percent increase over last year.

The announcement comes as Cobb faces a minimum $30 million shortfall in its 2019 budget.

VIDEO: Previous coverage on this issue

The county is facing a $30 million shortfall this year.

Commission Chairman Mike Boyce is making a public push for a millage rate increase to cover the gap, arguing that the floating homestead exemption means the county general fund will not benefit enough from rising property values.

Boyce is holding a series of town hall meetings on the budget and millage rate. The next one is scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. at the South Cobb Community Center.

About the Author

Meris Lutz is a contributing writer covering climate, the environment and the economy. She is particularly interested in stories that explore the intersections between climate change and labor, markets, health, biodiversity, government transparency and public access to natural resources.

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