“Sticker Shocked” homeowners say they will take their concerns to the ballot box, hold Cupid and Sheffield accountable

Cobb County homeowners are grappling with shock and frustration as they face steep property tax assessments, prompting many to voice their intent to take action at the ballot box and hold Chair Lisa Cupid and Commissioner Monique Sheffield accountable. With both officials up for re-election, citizens are expressing dissatisfaction with their campaign claims of successfully serving citizens, citing soaring tax assessments and questionable fiscal decisions by the pair.

Homeowners are shaking their heads in disbelief as they review their property tax assessment notices, questioning the validity of Cupid and Sheffield’s claims of success while in office. To many residents, these claims seem like mirages, fading away in the face of escalating tax burdens and fiscal mismanagement.

The recent assessment notices, revealing significant spikes in property values, have ignited outrage among residents, with some witnessing assessment increases of over 50%. Higher assessments translate to increased property taxes, prompting citizens to demand transparency and accountability regarding the county’s fiscal management, particularly under Cupid’s leadership.

Last year’s unprecedented 12.3% growth in the tax digest, coinciding with Cupid’s tenure, has further fueled residents’ discontent. Additionally, voters are pointing fingers at consultants and lawyers hired by Cupid, whose hefty fees are ultimately footed by taxpayers. Criticism has also been directed at a $1 million slush fund championed by Cupid, allowing her and other Commissioners discretion over taxpayer funds without accountability. Chaotic lawsuits and the price tags for outside lawyers to defend them are also concerns.

Vowing to express their grievances at the polls, homeowners are mobilizing under an “Anybody But Cupid” (ABC) campaign, with plans to vote out incumbents, including Cupid and Sheffield, in the upcoming primary election on May 21. Residents are demanding a clean sweep of the issues contributing to higher assessments, attributing blame to Cupid and Sheffield’s questionable decisions during their tenure.

Concerns extend beyond financially secure homeowners, with a focus on vulnerable groups, such as seniors and working families, struggling to absorb the latest financial impact under Cupid. Residents question the county’s failure to roll back millage rates and provide relief amid record-setting tax digests.

Despite reassurances that assessments are estimates, not final tax bills, residents remain wary of what they perceive as a county cash grab. Those dissatisfied with their property assessments have a 45-day window to appeal to the tax assessor’s office, stressing the importance of verifying property data accuracy and exploring comparable sales for assessment comparison. Others will be taking their concerns to the ballot box.

As the county commission prepares to set its millage rate in July, residents emphasize the urgency of addressing the affordability crisis and prioritizing taxpayer relief. For many, the ballot box on May 21 represents their opportunity to enact change by voting out incumbents and demanding accountability from county officials.