Mableton Residents Push Back: “We Were Promised No New Taxes”

MABLETON, Ga. — A wave of frustration is sweeping through Mableton as city leaders voted to move forward with the creation of a Public Safety Special Service District, a mechanism that allows the city to levy a tax to help pay the looming $9.5 million bill to Cobb County for police and transportation services — despite repeated assurances during the cityhood movement.

More Than a “Campaign Promise” Revisited

During the push for cityhood, then-candidate Michael Owens and other cityhood proponents repeatedly assured voters that incorporation would not result in higher taxes. Campaign materials, town halls, and feasibility studies emphasized a “city-lite” model — with Cobb County continuing to provide police services as it had before incorporation — and slogans like:

• “No new city taxes.”
• “Same taxes, better services.”
• “Cityhood will not raise your property taxes.”

Those assurances were central to winning voter support. Today, many residents say those promises feel hollow.

From Candidate Owens to Mayor Owens

Last week, the Mableton City Council unanimously approved a resolution creating the Public Safety Special Service District, establishing the legal framework for a new tax. While the resolution does not yet specify a millage rate or exemptions, residents are clear on what it represents: the possibility of paying again for services they have funded for ages through Cobb County property taxes.

Owens acknowledged his own discomfort with the move, stating during the council meeting, “I’m not OK with this either.” But for residents, Owen’s discomfort is not enough. Many see the decision as a stark departure from the promises made during the massive push for cityhood. Then candidate Owens promised no new taxes; Mayor Owens is now overseeing the mechanism that makes new taxes possible.

“Same taxes, better services” was a central promise made by cityhood founders. Now, the prospect of a tax — essentially a new property assessment — feels like a broken promise to homeowners who trusted that incorporating as a city would not cost them more.

Double Taxation, Same Services

Councilwoman Debora Herndon voiced what many in the community have been saying privately: “This goes against what residents were promised when the city was formed.” She noted that this tax would mean residents are paying for the same police services they already receive through Cobb County — effectively paying twice for the same thing. Said Herndon, “If you pay for something at one time, and then now because you change your name or you change your status but you’re not getting anything additional… I don’t think anyone would be OK with that.”

Residents argue they did not vote for cityhood to pay extra for the same level of police services — especially without clear explanations of costs, calculations, or exemptions.

Decision First, Conversation Later

Adding to the community’s frustration, the council approved the resolution before holding a public hearing or town hall to discuss the district’s millage rate, tax obligations, or exemptions. Many residents say this sequence undermines trust and feels like a reversal of the transparency and accountability promised during the campaign. They were promised transparency, which is not occurring says many.

Councilman T.J. Ferguson urged residents to speak up and make their voices heard: “Speak with our council members, speak with your commissioners, speak with everyone from here to the governor if you need to, to make sure they understand what the situation is and what you will bear.”

Before the Town Hall: Organizing and Advocating

Community leaders and others are answering that call, organizing neighbors ahead of the upcoming town hall to demand transparency and ensure that their voices are heard. Residents are being encouraged to attend meetings and be prepared, ask pointed questions, and insist on full disclosure of the tax district’s future millage rate (cost calculations and fiscal planning), and a public vote before any taxes are finalized. Community leaders are urging neighbors demand accountability from elected officials before the final tax figures are set. 

Some voices in the community are even pushing for a formal resolution demanding that the resolution be rescinded and that no tax be imposed without a public vote — an effort to hold city leadership to the commitments made during the incorporation process. Others are exploring legal and legislative avenues to challenge what they view as an unfair financial burden on residents.

Looking Ahead

As Mableton navigates its early years as an incorporated city, residents say one thing is clear: promises matter — especially when they involve people’s wallets. While there is support for maintaining public safety, trust and transparency are now at the forefront of the debate.

One long-time resident summed up the sentiment: “We were told no new taxes. That was not a footnote. That was the deal.”

The proposed town hall meetings will be a critical test of whether city leadership can rebuild credibility and fully address the community’s growing concerns over broken promises and potential double taxation.

For a city still defining itself, residents say one thing is clear: promises matter — especially when they’re made to voters.