Petition seeks path to dissolve City of Mableton

MABLETON, Ga. - A Mableton resident has launched a petition calling on state lawmakers to explore whether Georgia's newest city should be dissolved.

Dissolve Mableton?

What we know:

Kimberly Houston started the Change.org petition, which asks the Georgia General Assembly to consider legislation that would provide a path to dissolve the city of Mableton.

The effort comes amid debate over the city's future and follows recent controversy over property taxes.

As of Tuesday evening, the petition has garnered more than 1,800 signatures.

Petition cites taxes, duplicate services

What they're saying:

Houston's petition outlines five primary concerns about the city, including the potential for higher taxes and what she describes as duplication of services already provided by Cobb County.

Supporters of the effort are asking state lawmakers to examine the legislative steps that would be required to dissolve Mableton.

Houston said the petition will be shared with members of the Georgia General Assembly and other officials as support grows.

Houston said voters originally expected a "city light" structure with county-provided public safety. Houston said building a separate police department will duplicate services and increase taxes for property owners. 

Signing the petition itself would not dissolve the city; any effort to do so would require action beyond the petition.

Mayor welcomes state review

The other side:

Mayor Michael Owens said in a statement that he welcomes the General Assembly reviewing the city's operational and fiscal plans. 

Owens said voters created Mableton, and his responsibility as mayor is to respect that vote while building a city that delivers for residents. 

Mayor Owens also released this statement:

"I respect the right of residents to petition their government and to express disagreement with the direction of the City of Mableton. That is an important part of our democracy.

"At the same time, we have to respect the democratic process that created Mableton.

"The people of Mableton had their say in a certified referendum. The General Assembly authorized the incorporation process, Governor Brian Kemp signed the legislation, and on November 8, 2022, voters approved the creation of the City of Mableton. Following that decision, residents elected their mayor and City Council to govern the municipality.

"If every election can be reopened whenever a group disagrees with the result, we undermine the very democratic process we say we want to protect.

"Mableton's creation has been tested through the legislative, electoral, and judicial processes. In White v. City of Mableton, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in the City's favor in January 2025, affirming the lower court's decision. All participating justices concurred.

"That does not mean Mableton should be immune from scrutiny. The petition specifically calls for the General Assembly to review Mableton's fiscal, operational, and governance impacts, and I welcome that review if the General Assembly determines it wants to pursue one.

"However, we now have two years of independently audited financial statements available on our website that anyone can review. Those audits provide an objective financial record of the City's financial position and financial activity. In both FY2024 and FY2025, the independent auditors concluded that the City's financial statements fairly presented its financial position and changes in financial position in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

"Mableton was created by a vote of the people. My responsibility as mayor is to respect that vote, serve our residents, and continue building a city that delivers for them."

Rep. Terry Cummings, who represents the city, wrote the following statement:

"I am aware that a petition is circulating regarding the dissolution of the City of Mableton. I regularly meet and communicate with constituents on a wide range of issues, both while the General Assembly is in session and during the months we are out of session, and concerns about Mableton have been part of those ongoing conversations.

"As both the State Representative and Mableton resident, I have heard from a number of people who are concerned about the direction of our city, particularly regarding taxes, public safety costs, and transparency. I have also heard from people who support the city and want it to succeed.

"Any responsible consideration of this petition requires conversations with other decision makers which include Cobb County officials, other delegation and state officials, the City of Mableton, and all residents who would be affected. I'm open to having these discussions. 

"I am already having discussions on appropriate legislative options with my colleagues, including an independent fiscal review of the city's finances to determine its future sustainability. 

"I have been and will continue to have discussions and consider all voices in the community."

OTHER STORIES

• Mableton passes historic budget: What's next?
• Why Mableton is now building its own police department
• How Mableton plans to protect residents during its public safety shift
• New mixed-income housing development announced for Mableton

Mableton police department controversy

The backstory:

Voters approved the creation of Mableton in 2023. The original plan called for local leaders to handle planning, zoning, waste management and parks, while Cobb County provided police, fire and emergency medical services. 

Negotiations between Cobb County and Mableton over police services broke down in June. County officials said Mableton requested changes that created large administrative and operational impacts, leading city leaders to plan their own police force. 

Cityhood petition next steps

What we don't know:

Organizers have not announced when they will formally submit the 1,800 signatures to the Georgia General Assembly. 

It remains unclear whether state lawmakers will take up legislation to dissolve the city during the upcoming legislative session. 

MabletonGeorgia PoliticsNews