Local Government News You Can Use

At the most recent Smyrna City Council meeting, a 2.2 percent water rate increase was approved by a 7-0 vote by the council.

“This was because the water system is raising the rates that we’re paying,’’ City Councilwoman Teri Anulewicz commented at the March 7 public meeting. “This means for the average household, it’s about a five- to eight-cent increase per 1,000 gallons of water. I think it’s fairly marginal.’’

The rate increase will be effective on May 1.

“Next year, we will have reduced our debt load by approximately $850,000 per year when we finish payment on the 1999 water/sewer bonds,’’ City Administrator Eric Taylor told the council. “Combined with a lower wholesale increase, it will allow us to contribute more money to our capital infrastructure while keeping the increase to citizens at a minimum.’’

• Speaking of city council meetings, the next one at comes tonight at 7:30 p.m. See the somewhat light agenda here and the public is invited to attend.

But you don’t have to miss a thing even if you decide not to. Charter Communications Public Access Channel 19 carries each meeting live and usually the replay will air the following Monday at 7 p.m. See the TV23 section at www.cobbcounty.org for a complete rebroadcast schedule.

• If you think you have heard enough about SPLOST for the next four years ...well... you won't have to even wait a full day for the next wave. The county is holding a public information open house from 3 to 8 p.m. today to present a Draft Transportation Projects List for potential inclusion in a Regional Sales Tax vote in summer 2012.

The open house will be held in the second floor boardroom at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta. For information, call the at 770-528-1621

The current county list includes a $2 billion light rail project that would connect Acworth to Town Center and Kennesaw State University to the Cumberland area to the MARTA Arts Center Station. 

On Tuesday, Cobb County Commissioners will discuss how existing railroad lines could be coordinated with passenger and freight rail. The county received a $1.36 million federal grant to study how best to install a light-rail system, contingent that it provides a $340,000 local match.

The county will contribute $170,000, while Smyrna is one of four Cobb cities, including Acworth, Marietta and Kennesaw, which will provide $10,000 each to help with the local match. The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Authority will also chip in $10,000, while both Kennesaw State University and the Town Center and Cumberland Improvement Districts will put forth $40,000 to the cause.

Also on Tuesday, nominees for the new Citizens Oversight Committee are expected to be presented. The idea for this new committee came about from District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott, who in exchange for his vote to put the 2011 SPLOST referendum up for vote, said he wanted a group formed that will look at the county’s finances.

Ott’s District 2 covers the southeastern portion of the county including the Smyrna and Vinings areas.

• Finally, the Windy Hill Road bridge that extends over Interstate 75 could soon be named after former Smyrna state Rep. Bill Atkins. The retired pharmacist and member of the Atkins-Head country musical band, was a widely respected official at the Georgia State Capitol and was one of the first Republicans elected to represent Cobb.

Atkins spearheaded the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency during Gov. Sonny Perdue’s administration. State Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Austell) introduced the resolution to have the bridge named after Atkins.