UPDATE – Mableton Town Hall CANCELLED

The City of Mableton has cancelled the Town Hall and Special Called Meeting that was scheduled for Monday, December 22, regarding the proposed millage for a Special Services District to fund public safety.

No new date has been announced. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on when the meeting will be rescheduled and how public input will be gathered.

City of Mableton to Host Town Hall on Proposed Public Safety Tax

Mableton, GA – The City of Mableton has scheduled a Town Hall and Special Called Meeting for Monday, December 22, at the Riverside EpiCenter, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., to gather public input on a proposed millage rate for a Special Services District.

City officials are seeking community input on a proposed millage rate for the Special Services District that would be created specifically to fund public safety, including police and related services. This Town Hall is not just a meeting — it is an opportunity for residents to shape how public safety is funded in Mableton.

This meeting is a critical chance for residents to learn how the proposed millage would work, how much it could cost property owners, and how funds would be allocated. Showing up, asking informed questions, and sharing concerns will help ensure that any decision made reflects the will and best interests of the community.

While many residents welcome the opportunity to learn more and share their perspectives, some citizens have expressed concern about the timing of the meeting, which falls during the week of Christmas, when many families are traveling, working reduced schedules, or managing holiday obligations.

Community members and other elected leaders worry that holding such an important meeting during a major holiday week could limit participation and make it difficult for residents to attend, particularly given the significance of the issue. The proposed millage would create a new tax district and could have long-term financial implications for homeowners, renters, and businesses throughout Mableton.

Residents say decisions of this magnitude deserve broad community engagement and are urging city leaders to ensure that all voices have a fair opportunity to be heard. Some are calling for additional meetings and outreach, alternative meeting dates, or expanded options for public input to ensure transparency and inclusivity in the decision-making process.

City officials have stated that the purpose of the meeting is to provide constituents with an opportunity to offer feedback before any final action is taken. For those able to attend, the meeting will include discussion of the proposed millage rate, how funds would be used to support public safety, and how the Special Services District would operate.

Despite the concerns, residents who can attend are encouraged to do so and to come prepared with questions about the proposal, its cost, and how funds would be managed. The meeting will be held:

• Monday, December 22
• 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Riverside EpiCenter
• 135 Riverside Parkway, Austell, GA 30168

Community members who are unable to attend due to holiday commitments are encouraged to contact city officials directly to share their input and request additional opportunities for engagement.

Public participation is essential, as decisions about taxation and public safety funding have long-term impacts on homeowners, renters, businesses, and the overall quality of life in Mableton. Residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and share their perspectives before any final decisions are made. Community feedback will play an important role in shaping how public safety is funded moving forward. All Mableton residents are strongly encouraged to attend and make their voices heard.

Questions Mableton Residents Can Ask at the Town Hall – Here Are Some Key Questions to Consider Asking During the Meeting

About the Proposed Millage Use of Funds

What is the exact millage rate being proposed for the Special Services District?
How much would this millage cost the average homeowner annually?
How will the tax impact renters, if at all?
Will businesses in the district be taxed at the same rate as residents?

Use of Funds

Specifically, what public safety services will the funds support?
How much of the revenue will go toward police staffing, equipment, and training?
Will any funds be used for administration or overhead, and if so, how much?
Are there plans to fund community-based safety programs, not just enforcement?

Accountability & Oversight

How will the city ensure transparency and accountability in how the funds are spent?
Will there be annual reporting to the public on revenue collected and expenditures?
Is there an independent oversight mechanism or audit process?

Duration & Future Impact

Is this millage temporary or permanent?
Can the rate be raised in the future without voter approval?
Will residents have an opportunity to revisit or vote on the tax later?

Alternatives & Equity

Were other funding options considered before proposing this millage?
How does this proposal ensure the tax burden is fair and equitable?
How does Mableton’s proposed public safety funding compare to neighboring cities?

All Mableton residents are strongly encouraged to attend, bring their questions, and make their voices heard at the Town Hall Meeting on Monday, December 22 at 6:30–8:00 p.m. at the Riverside EpiCenter.

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