Marietta would get $78.2 million of the $1.15 billion Cobb SPLOST on the Nov. 3 ballot: $13.2 million for repaving, a rebuilt Fire Station 55 and new parks.
Marietta would receive $78.2 million over six years if Cobb County voters renew the 1% special purpose local option sales tax on Nov. 3. The biggest single items on the city’s list are $13.2 million for street resurfacing and $9.35 million to rebuild or remodel Fire Station 55.
The tax is known as SPLOST. The referendum is on the ballot countywide, including inside the city.
What is on the ballot
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved the 2028 SPLOST project list on April 28, according to the county’s 2028 SPLOST renewal page. The county’s August overview brochure sets out the numbers:
- six-year collections of $1.15 billion
- the current SPLOST expires Dec. 31, 2027
- the renewal would run from Jan. 1, 2028, to Dec. 31, 2033
- Cobb’s seven cities would share $355,498,437
The county calls the measure “NOT A TAX INCREASE,” because the renewal would replace the tax that ends in 2027. It says Cobb’s 6% total sales tax would stay tied for the lowest in Georgia. The tax is renewed if more than half of the votes cast are yes.
Marietta’s share
Marietta’s $78,227,427.76 is the second-largest city share, after Mableton’s $97,054,953.54. Smyrna, about seven miles southeast, would get $70,859,757.88 and Kennesaw, about seven miles northwest, $46,771,381.19.
The Marietta City Council approved its list on Feb. 11, 2026, the city’s Transportation Department page says. Every figure below comes from the city’s 2028 SPLOST Tier 1 project list (PDF).
Streets, sidewalks and traffic: $33.2 million
| Project | Amount |
|---|---|
| Citywide street resurfacing | $13,200,000 |
| Citywide sidewalk and trail construction | $6,250,000 |
| Citywide streets and drainage improvements | $5,000,000 |
| Citywide traffic management system (ATMS) | $3,500,000 |
| Program administration | $2,681,108.75 |
| Gateway improvements | $1,500,000 |
| Bridge rehabilitation | $500,000 |
| Signage upgrades | $275,000 |
| Street marking upgrades | $275,000 |
Police and fire: $25.6 million
| Project | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rebuild or remodel Fire Station 55 | $9,350,000 |
| Police vehicle replacement | $4,980,000 |
| Police training center interior buildout | $1,675,000 |
| Fire emergency radios | $1,650,000 |
| Police emergency radios | $1,650,000 |
| Fire heavy-duty service truck | $1,440,000 |
| Fire engine replacement | $1,200,000 |
| Fire training facilities and equipment | $1,100,000 |
| Police training facilities and equipment | $1,100,000 |
| Remodel Fire Station 52 | $1,075,000 |
| Police weapons and equipment | $396,450 |
Parks and City Hall: $9.3 million
- $3.54 million to replace the turf at the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex
- $2 million for City Hall renovations, including ADA upgrades
- $2 million for park improvements citywide
- $1.75 million for a new park in Ward 7
Five street corridors: $5.4 million
- Cherokee Street, Chicopee Drive to Tower Road: $2,925,000
- Lawrence Street, Cole Street to Fairground Street: $1,554,869.01
- North Marietta Parkway streetscape, Church Street to Fairground Street: $500,000
- Atlanta Street streetscape, South Marietta Parkway to the Square: $360,000
- Whitlock Avenue, North Marietta Parkway to John Ward Road: $100,000
Ward projects and trash trucks: $4.7 million
Each of the city’s seven wards would get $500,000 for sidewalks, streets and traffic calming, a total of $3.5 million. Sanitation truck replacement accounts for $1.2 million.
The second-tier list
The county’s booklet also prints a longer Tier 2 list for Marietta, beyond the $78.2 million. It does not say when or whether those projects would be paid for. The largest include:
- Merritt Road Park development: $7.8 million
- a city training and classroom building: $6 million
- Custer Park sports and fitness center expansion: $5.55 million
- more parking at the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex: $5.4 million
- silent railroad crossings downtown, a quiet zone: $3 million
What the county would build
The county’s own $794.5 million share would pay for a new State Court building, a new infirmary at the Cobb County jail, two new fire stations, renovated police precincts and radio upgrades, its brochure says. It also lists a replacement for the Central Aquatic Center, an expanded Tim D. Lee Senior Center and a new 20,000-square-foot East Cobb library.
The full county list is in the 2028 SPLOST booklet (PDF).
What it means for you
- To ask questions in person, the county’s last education session is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, on the second floor of the David Hankerson Building, 100 Cherokee St. Questions can also go to splostcomments@cobbcounty.gov.
- To vote early, early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Mail ballot applications close Friday, Oct. 23. Sites and hours are on our Cobb County voting guide.
- On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- For road work already underway with earlier SPLOST money, see our road construction and closures page.
We will report the result from the Cobb County elections office when it posts on election night.
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