3 Cobb mayors put up fight against parks bond

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Thursday, September 17, 2008 by Dan Chapman, AJC writer

Flush with $40 million in taxpayer-approved bonds, Cobb County officials set about two years ago buying up large tracts of land for much-needed parks. Green-space gems, like the Hyde and Bullard farms on each side of the county, were acquired to much public acclaim.

Cobb County commissioners figured that another $40 million bond, on the ballot Nov. 4, would be similarly welcomed.

But that was before it became clear this week that taxpayers in Marietta, Smyrna and Austell will see their taxes rise, albeit by a small amount, to finance the latest parks’ package. Those towns’ mayors have said they won’t endorse the financing formula unless they are guaranteed parks in or near their communities. Other county residents won’t pay more due to the bond’s unique financing method.

“I’m not opposed to the parks bond; I just want Marietta property owners to be treated fairly like the rest of the county,” said Mayor Bill Dunaway, adding that the upcoming bond could cost Marietta homeowners an additional $5 million in taxes over 15 years.

Sam Olens, who chairs the Cobb County Commission and strongly supports the bonds, said no deals will be made with Marietta, Smyrna and Austell.

Few Cobb residents dispute the need for more parks. Already, 90 percent of the county’s 220,000 acres are developed.

In 2006, more than 70 percent of voters approved the parks’ bond, which didn’t require any tax increase. A lengthy, and public, winnowing process reduced the number of properties for purchase to 18.

The county focused on plots that were large and/or historic. Eventually, five of the top six sites recommended by a citizens’ advisory committee were bought, including Hyde farm (135 acres along the Chattahoochee River in East Cobb) and Bullard farm (112 acres off Dallas Highway in West Cobb). In all, more than 300 acres have been placed into green perpetuity by the county.

“If you’re not thrilled by the last bond you’re an incorrigible cynic,” said Paul Paulson, who heads up a grass-roots organization that promotes the parks bonds. “Whether I live in Marietta or Austell, I’d be equally thrilled that the county bought property below Mableton.”

Only $3.5 million of the original $40 million remains uncommitted. It’s time, Paulson and Olens say, for another referendum.

A dozen of the initial 18 recommended sites remain high on the county’s wish list, including the 53-acre Tritt property on Roswell Road in Marietta. Bob Ash, director of the county’s Public Services Agency, said the souring economy should give the county more bang for its bond buck. The county owns or leases 5,439 acres of parkland.

Cobb’s recreational needs are shifting, Ash noted, with rugby, lacrosse, swimming and even water-polo aficionados looking for places to play. While big-acre plots remain a priority, park advocates and commissioners will also seek smaller, in-town properties if the November referendum passes.

Ash said so-called “pocket parks” – the county owns two of the traditional, city-styled parks with playgrounds and picnic tables – will likely be included. Oakdale Park, on Atlanta Road in Smyrna, fits the bill.

Koya Simpson, who played with daughter Sky at Oakdale earlier this week, said she’ll readily support another $40 million bond referendum.

“We need a place for kids to be happy and safe,” Simpson said. “And, it’s free.”

Maybe not. Simpson and fellow Mariettans, along with residents of Smyrna and Austell, would pay more. The owner of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $8 per year in taxes due to the complicated financing formula, which would transfer one-tenth of one mill from the county’s fire district tax to the county-wide debt service fund.

With fire departments of their own to support, the three towns don’t pay into the county’s fire service district.

On Sept. 3, the cities’ mayors wrote Olens to complain that the financing package would “unfairly impact” their taxpayers.

“I have asked Sam to either commit to buying some property within Marietta or give the Marietta parks department money for us to buy land,” Dunaway said via telephone Tuesday from Athens, Greece where he was vacationing. Olens said he wished Marietta, Smyrna and Austell wouldn’t have to pay additional taxes, but that it’s too late to rework the referendum in time for the Nov. 4 vote. He offered, instead, to appoint more Marietta-friendly members to the parks advisory committee.

“I made a good-faith attempt to assure (Dunaway) that we will look at the interests of the cities,” Olens said.