Smyrna city leaders back $40M park bond

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday, October 9, 2008 by Kent A. Miles

Smyrna city leaders now say they will endorse a $40 million park bond issue on the Nov. 4 ballot in Cobb.

The mayors of Marietta, Austell and Smyrna had been critical of the financing formula, which would have resulted in property tax increases for the cities. They also wanted the county to ensure parks would be created in or near their communities.

Smyrna councilman Wade Lnenicka said county officials and advocates for the park met with city leaders this week and “expressed a willingness to work with us in part.”

Lnenicka said the council made no demands of the county. County Commission Chairman Sam Olens and Bob Ott, the Republican candidate for the county commission district covering east Cobb, met with council members and were sensitive to their concerns, he said.

“They encouraged us to nominate parcels to be considered, and to play a more active role,” Lnenicka said.

The funding formula would transfer one-tenth of 1 mill from the county fire district tax to the countywide debt service fund. If passed, county property owners won’t see an increase in taxes.

The measure will result in a small increase for property owners in the three cities, which run their own fire departments and do not pay into the county’s fire service district.

Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway says he isn’t opposed to the bond, but questions its fairness on city taxpayers.