Birrell Seeks Input on Cobb Tax Hike

District 3 Commissioner JoAnn Birrell would like resident input about whether or not to raise Cobb County property taxes to balance the budget.

"I ask that you provide me with your perspective about the proposed property tax increase," Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said in her District 3 Update email. "As your Commissioner, I need your input."

Birrell, elected in November, represents East Cobb and Northeast Cobb north of Roswell Road. Earlier this year, she unequivocally said she would not support raising the millage rate as the county grappled with .

The 10 percent cuts to all county departments included five days of furloughs for county employees, including police, fire and emergency personnel. 

But at Birrell's recent town hall meeting, county public safety officials expressed concern that continuing that course of deficit-cutting action would have . 

Cobb commission chairman Tim Lee, who previously represented District 3, has proposed raising the millage rate during its fiscal year 2012 deliberations, which immediately  from Tea Party groups. 

Send an email with your views about the proposed property tax increase to JoAnn.Birrell@cobbcounty.org, or call 770-528-3317.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to hear views on raising the property taxes on Tuesday at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend that meeting at the commission meeting room, 100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta.