[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,84],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6622232,"mediaKeyId","2787314-3b90707303958f919bd4f5eef841f063","parentId",2787314,"title","Mableton council approves grant-writing contract, composting pilot, interim comp plan, election agreement and staffing changes","audioSeconds",151,"startMs",2454000,"endMs",2303000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787314-3b90707303958f919bd4f5eef841f063&start=2454&end=2303","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787314-3b90707303958f919bd4f5eef841f063/thumbnail_2454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622232/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Mableton-council-approves-grant-writing-contract-composting-pilot-interim-comp-plan-election-agreement-and-staffing-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622232-94c3edd5ec52f34d7de7a614fe46112a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185087&Signature=F9aunPYTgbNZXmh1GM2LTfYxy9ri3Mq6DP0bbcPX0jZDcJ2CTY7CC~kw7ton-RcigdJ0DovdL2Wiply0JzHheIfl4CDJdeFmfIBHJaJpLwoMmK~ktKo6-4OtgJEcKJfP6VOim64gmrMsusyzXyYqsKICoVGo5SYCTSJpxfsdtUj-3JNjb-qIe9~ddU6zEJ0eTCML7SEDi~XM2HWpS3ZNWftrYZ~sXSa-6b0lYGCRiN8wxX6OcF0WDg7FXJrpdn2NhJgYoJeSbJo8WxcEFMzVqAdaGg1wVRV-bdBZxLCFDepLkKrYa9ftgHqpwlsET5xzPmWjIonTELvIeHl11UvniA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mableton City","date","2025-03-27T01:09:57.56Z","article","Mableton City Council on March 26 approved a package of agreements and resolutions intended to accelerate city services and staffing as the newly incorporated city moves through its transition period.

The council voted to: approve a 12-month agreement with Fund It Forward for grant-writing services; adopt a memorandum of understanding with FoodWell Alliance, Beyond 0 Waste and Compost Cowboys to host a two-year pilot community composting program; adopt Cobb County’s 2040 comprehensive plan as Mableton’s interim plan while the city completes its own Mableton 2045 plan; authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration for administration of the November 4, 2025 general election (and a possible December 5, 2025 runoff); and approve a resolution amending the city’s pay and classification plan to add planning and building-inspection capacity.

Why it matters: the measures are intended to bring capacity and services online—grant revenue-seeking, neighborhood sustainability programs, meeting state planning requirements, and strengthening permitting and inspections—without pausing the city’s ongoing comprehensive-planning process.

Grant-writing contract

Council approved a 12-month engagement with Fund It Forward to pursue federal, state and private grant opportunities. Sustainability, Waste and Beautification Director Emily Groth described the arrangement as “a monthly flat fee for a 12-month term for an experienced grant writer,” and said the firm has worked with Norcross, Powder Springs and South Fulton. The contract amount was not read aloud during the meeting; council members said the figure is a public record and can be reviewed in the agenda packet.

Community composting pilot

The council approved a memorandum of understanding to join a regional community-composting pilot led by FoodWell Alliance, with operational and educational partners Beyond 0 Waste and Compost Cowboys. The two-year pilot will be free to the city and initially provide one drop-off host site at 6116 Mableton Parkway with one to two 65-gallon curbside-style bins, education sessions and participant sign-ups. Emily Groth said participants will complete a short quiz and receive a combination code to unlock the bin.

Interim comprehensive plan

By resolution the council adopted the Cobb County 2040 comprehensive plan as Mableton’s interim plan to satisfy Department of Community Affairs (DCA) requirements while the city finalizes its own Mableton 2045 plan. Xavier Ross, the city’s special projects manager, told the council the adoption is a legal “placeholder” that lets Mableton remain eligible for certain state grant programs while the city completes its public-engagement and adoption steps for its own plan.

Election services agreement

Council authorized the mayor to execute a substantial-form agreement with Cobb County for administration of the November 4, 2025 general election and any subsequent runoff on December 5, 2025. The city attorney explained the county will administer planning, ballot layout, staffing, absentee/provisional ballots and other routine election services; there is no additional cost for the general election, but runoff costs were not budgeted and would be assessed to the city based on precincts involved. The agreement includes standard indemnity language limited by an exception for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Pay and classification amendments

The council approved an amendment to the pay and classification plan to add staffing capacity in community development and inspections. The city manager described a package to add four net new positions, reclassify one building inspector to a supervisor role, and create a deputy director of community development to establish a clearer career path and redundancy for inspections and planning as workload grows.

Votes at a glance

- Fund It Forward grant-writing agreement — outcome: approved; motion and second not specified in the public record; contract amount: not specified (public record).
- MOU with FoodWell Alliance / Beyond 0 Waste / Compost Cowboys (two-year pilot composting) — outcome: approved; host site: 6116 Mableton Parkway; program free to city for pilot.
- Resolution adopting Cobb County 2040 plan as interim Mableton plan — outcome: approved; purpose: meet DCA May 30 requirement while Mableton 2045 is finalized.
- Agreement with Cobb County Board of Elections for Nov. 4, 2025 election (and Dec. 5 runoff if needed) — outcome: approved; general election cost: none beyond usual county allocation; runoff costs: will be assessed to city based on precincts.
- Resolution amending pay and classification plan (planning/building additions) — outcome: approved; adds four net new positions and a deputy director/supervisor reclassification.

What the council did not state or did not resolve

- Contract amounts and some detailed budgetary impacts were not read into the record; council members said those figures are available in the public agenda packet.
- The Mableton 2045 comprehensive plan process will continue; adopting the county plan is a temporary measure and does not replace the city’s public hearings and final adoption steps.

Next steps

Staff will finalize contract paperwork and MOUs, post any public records (including contract amounts) to the city’s records, begin outreach for the composting pilot sign-ups and continue work on the Mableton 2045 plan and the staffing transitions in community development.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Mableton - City Council Meeting - March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mableton City Council on March 26 approved a package of agreements and resolutions intended to accelerate city services and staffing as the newly incorporated city moves through its transition period.","taxTitle","Mableton City, Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",55728,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_47":79,"_49":50,"_51":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":82,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":83,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6622223,"Mableton approves pay-and-class changes to add planners, inspectors and a deputy director",0,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787314-3b90707303958f919bd4f5eef841f063&start=2454&end=2454","/articles/6622223/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Mableton-approves-pay-and-class-changes-to-add-planners-inspectors-and-a-deputy-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622223-7407c59dc3ba03f1b93f575689cab683/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185087&Signature=bvtlJZQa6UCBxMjN7xzyTypYLyq6CEwWKbIZKcxZEveyvsxqZxYfhdBP0OvmFcbJmJokNx-P0xIvJNF9CmbJkksJhFb3NwcbJI79krT~aY6lRfikhdROQWtHANllvDKD4WiPZPFMpyUut0ybckPTACY9FLRiOkrPeyorBNL5603sIylZo2bnFGxTrolGtdMNHeqkgNPjro3AjYxePkEU-Vy2PC0JmDGnch0inlJ6XrUJS2PeNpTvBZ3dco8lZWC2vrxH9BxQRF180QbYJrRKhH20eUZab~2SSv7KlfLc8943SCkdWGOyNpbnmFXpK8Z5r6Mk0rogj3CsMg9bWcuckg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mableton City Council on March 26 approved an amendment to the pay and classification plan intended to expand the capacity of the community development and building-inspection functions.

The city manager told the council the action responds to a “real time assessment” of staffing needs as permitting and development activity increase. The amendment creates a deputy director of community development, adds four net new positions (including an additional senior planner and entry-level planning roles to build a career ladder), and reclassifies one building inspector as a building-inspection supervisor to provide redundancy and allow for leave coverage.

The council discussed the need to establish a separate building-inspection division as the city grows; the manager said a recently hired chief building official currently reports under code enforcement but that the intention is to break out inspections into its own division when space and resources allow. Council members framed the vote as responding to demonstrated workload and growth: “This is a good problem to have,” one council member said.

Next steps

Staff will publish the updated pay and classification plan, begin recruitment for the new positions and report back to council on hiring timelines and budget impacts.","The council voted to amend the pay and classification plan, adding four net new positions, creating a deputy director of community development and reclassifying a building inspector to a supervisory role to address growing permit workloads.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6622228,"Residents urge council to secure parks and oppose school-bus fueling station at Veterans Memorial Highway site",411,525000,936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787314-3b90707303958f919bd4f5eef841f063&start=525&end=936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787314-3b90707303958f919bd4f5eef841f063/thumbnail_525000.jpg","/articles/6622228/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Residents-urge-council-to-secure-parks-and-oppose-school-bus-fueling-station-at-Veterans-Memorial-Highway-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622228-864bc9e69dac70a0eba0f7fc92d2d95b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185087&Signature=dVzq4Lvx8hy16vuXEA5jOmfXF8WxU35N6FsuKcHDujbuBe--9ep8BSDMEpQV6Qc8SwAzeiAj1HI~N3MF9pbe3fSf0oHau3Q3JwijM0e7jEI9HFFSiJKOYnQ4mhljynEWOtVbf332qMKYeYhDRXHfhQrpVXRtF5vJ7tYBA2o6eCo9eXz~OquBvkENQ5t5gkbya-hgeP4U7rvB2t33vsj1Cyy2zMqZy8MOMO6zZkB2XHCa1JXb8x4nZGeBLZeTJc9~KQy~vNdbMsw2ZsasNZFp4-JqeJT6FGyCF~tJEpI7TGasPE0TUGMsSkOJJSGvJ1EnLteY5VBkvsvmIprV3BIOvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the March 26 public-comment period to press the Mableton City Council on parks, redevelopment and neighborhood impacts.

Cassandra Brown, a District 4 resident, cited the 2020 Mableton feasibility study conducted by the University of Georgia to urge the council to pursue parkland acquisition from Cobb County at the rates described in the study. Brown said the study identified 13 parks totaling about 534 acres and reported an estimated transfer cost of approximately $100 per acre; she called on the council to “take decisive action” to secure parks that were paid for by county tax dollars.

Rebecca Ford, who chairs the Mableton Improvement Coalition zoning committee, urged the council to oppose a planned school-bus fueling station near 440 Veterans Memorial Highway. Ford told the council the fueling station would be “an industrial use, especially an intense automotive one,” and said it would be inappropriate adjacent to single-family homes because of noise, fumes, lighting and environmental concerns. Ford asked that, if a fueling station is necessary, the city advocate for a location consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and not immediately adjacent to residential properties.

Other public comments and civic notes

- Samuel Culbreth, chairman of the Austell Community Task Force, invited residents to an April 3 meeting at South Cobb Recreation Center and promoted a March 29 Cobb County District 4 Earth Day cleanup starting at the Walmart off East West Connector.
- Bryce Lingenfeller (District 5) raised questions about waste-management vendor listings and driveway parking limits; he thanked volunteers for cleaning Clay Road. Council members and staff indicated 14 approved waste-hauler vendors are on the list and that the website will be updated.

Council response and context

Council members acknowledged the concerns. Councilwoman Patricia Oft (District 4) and others noted the city’s ongoing service-delivery discussions with Cobb County and said parks and related service questions will be addressed as the city’s transition and negotiations proceed. Ford’s objection referenced the city’s comprehensive plan guidance and the comp plan’s recommendations for neighborhood-activity centers; council members explained school districts and the board of education may not be subject to local zoning the same way private developers are, but asked staff to consider community feedback when possible.

Why it matters

Residents framed parks as a core municipal service that was highlighted before cityhood and said the parks identified in earlier studies should be priorities for acquisition. Opposition to the fueling station reflects a common tension in growing jurisdictions between institutional or industrial uses and adjacent residential neighborhoods.

What the transcript records and what it does not

The speakers cited the University of Georgia 2020 feasibility study and a $100-per-acre estimate from that document; the council did not take a formal action on park acquisition at the March 26 meeting. The transcript includes objections to the fueling-station proposal and a request that the city advocate for alternative locations, but it does not describe any formal application or a pending zoning or land-use approval for that specific fueling station in the council packet.","During public comment at the March 26 Mableton council meeting, residents and neighborhood leaders urged the council to prioritize acquisition of parkland identified in the 2020 feasibility study and objected to a proposed school-bus fueling station adjacent to single-family homes near 440 Veterans Memorial Highway.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mableton council approves grant-writing contract, composting pilot, interim comp plan, election agreement and staffing changes

Mableton approves pay-and-class changes to add planners, inspectors and a deputy director

Residents urge council to secure parks and oppose school-bus fueling station at Veterans Memorial Highway site