Even an estimated 7.5 percent increase to Cobb’s tax digest won’t be enough to erase a $30 to $55 million budget deficit, county officials said in a statement Thursday.

The county announced the highest percentage increase to the tax digest since the recession, with the average sales price of a home in Cobb surpassing $285,000.

While the increase is expected to be a boon for schools and the fire fund, the county general fund will see less benefit due to the high number of homestead exemptions.

Chairman Mike Boyce dropped a heavy hint that he would bring forward a proposed tax increase to bridge the gap.

"We knew this $30 million hole was coming years ago, and because the floating exemption prevents the general fund from fully benefiting from the tax digest increase, the board must bring forth a millage rate that will support a quality of life Cobb residents expect,” he said.

Read our in-depth reporting on how the county found itself in a fiscal crunch despite a growing economyBraves stadium hardly a home run for Cobb taxpayers

In other Cobb news:

The first pitch was at 4:10 p.m., right as the evening drive gets into full swing.

About the Author

Keep Reading

ajc.com

Featured

Demonstrators protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Presidents Day in front of the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, February 17, 2025, as part of nationwide demonstrations organized by the 50501 movement. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC