Cobb Taxpayers Criticize Stormwater Fee Passage, Call It a Political Betrayal by Cupid and Others

Cobb County, GA – Cobb County taxpayers expressed sharp frustration Thursday night after county commissioners voted 3–2 to approve a new $4.75 monthly stormwater fee, a measure opponents say unfairly burdens residents without resolving long-standing infrastructure issues. The fee, approved after a five-hour meeting that included several hours of testimony from angry residents, will apply to all customers in unincorporated Cobb and the City of Mableton beginning June 1, 2026. Residential properties will pay a flat rate, while commercial and institutional properties will be charged based on impervious surface.

Residents Say Commissioners Are Failing Accountability
Many residents called for a delay in the vote, demanding a full inventory of the county’s stormwater system and a comprehensive master plan. “This is not ready for prime time,” said East Cobb resident Debbie Fisher, noting that the county still cannot identify the extent of its stormwater pipes or the funding needed to maintain them. Many expressed frustration over what they called “double taxation,” noting that they already pay for stormwater services through their water and sewer bills. Critics argued that adding a separate stormwater fee unfairly charges homeowners twice for the same service, especially since water consumption has no direct correlation to runoff or stormwater impact.

Critics also raised concerns over Cobb’s long-standing practice of diverting water and sewer revenues—funds that could have been used for stormwater repairs—to the county’s general fund. Republican Commissioner JoAnn Birrell criticized the county for transferring portions of water revenues to the general fund instead of fully funding stormwater maintenance, suggesting that better fiscal management could reduce or eliminate the need for an additional charge.“I can’t justify any more revenue,” said Birrell, who voted against the fee. “If we had not done that, we’d have a lot more money to be addressing this now.”

Republican Commissioner Keli Gambrill, who voted against the fee, echoed concerns raised by residents during the public hearing, arguing that the new charge will not truly fix Cobb County’s stormwater problems. She highlighted issues such as upstream detention ponds that remain ineffective and the county’s incomplete stormwater infrastructure records, saying that until those fundamental problems are addressed, the fee simply shifts costs onto homeowners without guaranteeing meaningful improvements.

The Democratic majority—Chair Lisa Cupid and Commissioners Erick Allen and Monique Sheffield—argued the fee is necessary to address a backlog of pipe repairs, aging infrastructure, and increasingly intense storms. Cupid acknowledged the measure is not a complete solution but emphasized that it finally establishes a dedicated fund for stormwater maintenance. The residents in attendance did not agree. Tensions flared in the audience when Cupid expressed more concern for developers than for Cobb residents and grew angry at her hesitation to pass the fee onto developers instead of homeowners. Residents argued that while pipe repairs and infrastructure improvements are needed, the burden should not fall disproportionately on those already facing costly damages and ongoing maintenance expenses. To residents, however, the fee represents a political misstep more than a practical fix. Many say it underscores the growing gap between elected officials’ promises and taxpayers’ expectations for transparency, accountability, and results.

Homeowners Already Paying the Price
The fee comes as a bitter pill for homeowners like Rebecca and Orion Smith, whose East Cobb home was severely damaged during 2021 floods when a county stormwater pipe collapsed on their property. The couple spent $96,000 to replace the pipe and faces another $20,000 repair. “Why does Cobb County think it’s okay to make homeowners responsible for these repairs?” Rebecca Smith asked. “How do you expect anyone to continue living here under these conditions?”

Political Controversy: Residents Disappointed in Commissioner Allen
Residents who packed the meeting expressed particular disappointment with District 2 Commissioner Erick Allen, whom many had viewed as a champion for community interests after his defense of East Cobb neighborhoods against Sterigenics. Instead, they say “Allen has unleashed a different kind of hell onto them” —one that goes straight to the heart of their pocketbooks. “This is a political betrayal,” said one member of the community, “We trusted Commissioner Allen to protect us, and now he’s voting for a fee that hits every homeowner’s wallet without solving the real problems.”Allen defended his vote, saying, “The position of ‘do nothing’ does not solve a problem. This creates a mechanism to start helping our neighbors that are having these issues.” Many also wondered how Jaha Howard, Allen’s former opponent for the seat, would have voted. Howard, who lost his bid to Allen, had campaigned as a strong advocate for taxpayer protections, transparency, and accountability. He had also promised to resist additional fees.

A Fee Without Guarantees
Opponents argue the fee does not guarantee solutions to Cobb’s infrastructure failures. Without accurate records, there is no assurance that the new $17 million in annual revenue will be spent effectively. Homeowner associations, which must pay fees for common areas such as tennis courts and pool decks, also voiced concerns about additional financial burdens. “This is a cost-shifting scheme,” said Richard Enzinger, another resident. “It pushes responsibility onto residents, churches, and schools while the county avoids accountability.”

For Cobb homeowners still recovering from past floods—and for those wary of future storms—the new stormwater fee feels less like a solution and more like a new tax with uncertain benefits. “We want the problem fixed,” said flood victim Jeffrey Sims. “But we also want accountability. We deserve both.”