Cobb former Commissioner opposes Cobb transit tax referendum, urges citizens to join him in voting NO 

Former Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott, who has largely stayed out of public commentary on county government since leaving office in 2021, has now spoken out against the proposed 30-year transit tax referendum in Cobb County.

In a recent letter to media outlets, Ott expressed firm opposition to the tax, calling it “a bad idea and needs to be defeated.” Ott called for a thorough review of county “needs vs. wants” before committing taxpayer funds, emphasizing the importance of careful spending, which is opposite of the unpopular position being taken by Cobb Chair Lisa Cupid, who is willing to saddle citizens with a $30 billion dollar tax, among other taxes on citizens that she has proposed since she came into office. 

Ott, a Republican who represented District 2 from 2009 to 2020, highlighted that the Cobb Mobility SPLOST, unlike typical Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Taxes, extends for 30 years. “Think about that for a moment,” he wrote, “your middle schooler would be in their mid-40s at the end of the tax.” Ott pointed out that SPLOST taxes are typically shorter-term and directed at specific infrastructure and maintenance projects, unlike this broad-based transit solution.

Ott is not alone in voicing concern and sounding the alarm against this tax. He joins other critics, such as former Cobb Chamber Chair John Loud, who argue that Cobb’s low transit ridership doesn’t justify such a prolonged and expansive tax. He raised concerns about the regional transit authority, ATL, which would oversee transit projects, stating that its members are primarily from outside Cobb and may not represent the county’s best interests.

Ott also highlighted what are critical transit needs in Cobb, such as connecting the Cumberland area to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and widening Roswell Road to the Fulton County line, which could be addressed without a 30-year tax.

While he has tried to avoid political issues since leaving office, Ott says he felt compelled to speak out after hearing from former constituents who were concerned and unaware of the tax proposal and its long-term consequences.

Ott also expressed concern with the current political climate, saying, “Our elections have turned away from the issues.”

Ott said citizens should return to an election that focuses on the candidate’s positions and how these positions impact them as Cobb citizens.