Mableton’s $97 Million Moment: What to Know About SPLOST on the Ballot
The last time Cobb County voted on SPLOST, Mableton wasn't a city. Now, we’re in line for the largest municipal share in the county.
Near the bottom of your November 3 ballot, you’ll see a familiar question with a brand-new twist for Mableton: the 2028 Cobb County SPLOST.
For the first time since becoming a city, Mableton is in line to receive a direct, independent infusion of $97.05 million in SPLOST funding to spend here in our own backyard.
Whether you're a longtime South Cobb resident or new to the area, here's a quick guide to what SPLOST is, why this year's vote is a landmark moment for Mableton, and where those dollars could go.
According to the official sample ballot, this is the exact language that will appear on your ballot:
First Things First: What is SPLOST?
SPLOST stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. It is not a new tax or a property tax increase. Instead, it is a voter-approved renewal of the existing 1% (one-penny) sales tax on goods purchased in Cobb County.
By law, SPLOST funds cannot be used for everyday government operating expenses or salaries. Every penny must go toward capital improvements—the physical infrastructure you can see and use, like roads, sidewalks, parks, and community facilities.
Plus, because it’s a sales tax, anyone who shops, dines, works, or visits in Cobb County helps pay for our local improvements.
What Changed? From Unincorporated to the Largest Share in Cobb
During previous SPLOST votes, Mableton wasn't an incorporated city. Every penny of the SPLOST tax collected in our area went directly into the broader county pool, and we didn't have a local mayor and city council at the table deciding which neighborhood streets, sidewalks, or local trails got top priority.
This time, everything is different.
Under the proposed six-year, $1.15 billion 2028 SPLOST program (running from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2033), nearly $355.5 million is divided among Cobb’s seven cities based on population.
Because Mableton is now the largest city in Cobb County, we have gone from getting $0 in direct city SPLOST funds to receiving the biggest city share at $97.05 million. That puts Mableton ahead of both Marietta ($78.2 million) and Smyrna ($70.9 million).
What Could Mableton Build With $97 Million?
If voters approve the renewal on November 3, Mableton’s $97 million infusion will focus on standing up our core city infrastructure and tackling long-awaited community upgrades across several key categories:
Acquiring and improving a permanent municipal complex/City Hall and community gathering space so residents have a central hub for local services: $47 Million
Fixing potholes, resurfacing neighborhood streets, upgrading intersections, and coordinating major roadway improvements across the city: $31.4 Million
Expanding pedestrian networks, building safer crosswalks, and connecting more neighborhoods to local trails and greenways: $10 Million
Acquiring new parkland, preserving green space, and upgrading existing parks within Mableton’s city limits: $4.74 Million
Investing in citywide IT infrastructure and municipal vehicles, including electric vehicles and charging stations: $2.86 Million
What Your Vote Means on November 3
Voting YES extends the current 1% sales tax for another six years (beginning January 1, 2028, when the current 2022 SPLOST expires) and unlocks Mableton’s $97 million project list.
Voting NO means the 1% sales tax will expire at the end of 2027, and the proposed county and city capital projects will not be funded through this program.
Want to dive deeper into the specific project lists before you head to the polls? You can review the complete project breakdown in the Cobb County 2028 SPLOST Final Booklet or explore the interactive project map on the Invest in Cobb Portal. See you at the polls, Mableton!
Comments