Who Is Behind Preserve West Cobb? How Is It Funded?

Preserve West Cobb is run by a group of West Cobb residents. These homeowners live here and care about the future of our community. We are small business owners, education professionals, parents, and community leaders who have come together to ensure that urban sprawl and  overdevelopment does not takeover West Cobb. To read more about who we are, go to our About page. 

Preserve West Cobb’s funding comes from people that live in West Cobb and who want to see local control of future planning and development. These are the residents what we hope will become Lost Mountain. No corporations or development companies are funding Preserve West Cobb.

Is This The Same Group That Lead The Campaign For Lost Mountain In 2022?

The current leaders of Preserve West Cobb are grassroots activists who assumed the city-hood effort from the former leaders in 2023. We are a group of homeowners who support the incorporation of Lost Mountain. View our members here.

What Is The Process Of Forming A Municipality In West Cobb?

Forming a municipality in Georgia is a multistep process. Below is a brief timeline:

First: The resolution to add a municipality to the ballot of West Cobb residents is introduced in the Georgia Legislature.

Second: A feasibility study, funded by donations to Preserve West Cobb, will be conducted by the Institute for Government at the University of Georgia to accurately estimate the costs of providing three services: Planning and Development, Code Enforcement and Parks and Recreation. 

Third: During the congressional session following the introduction of the bill, the legislature passes the resolution and it is signed by Gov. Kemp. This promotes the bill to become a referendum on the next primary ballot.

Last: West Cobb residents who participate in the primary election will vote on the referendum to establish Lost Mountain, a new municipality.

Will Lost Mountain Change My Cobb County Senior Tax Exemption?

No. The Cobb County school tax exemption for senior citizens is just one of many things that makes Cobb County a great place to live. That exemption is part of Georgia state law and cannot be changed by the Lost Mountain Council (or Cobb County). As residents of Lost Mountain will remain part of the Cobb County, they will continue to receive the senior tax exemption.

Will Lost Mountain Have An Additional Property Tax?

The municipality of Lost Mountain is designed to be a “city-lite” that will take over only three government services from Cobb County, not duplicate them. As such, we do not anticipate Lost Mountain will increase taxes for it’s residents. Ultimately, the feasibility study will provide the definitive answer to this question.

Where Has This “City-Lite” Model With No City Taxes Worked Before?

While there is not a perfect example due to the many variables within a city, the city of Peachtree Corners is a good case study in how a “city-lite” can operate without raising taxes. Peachtree Corners was founded in 2012 as a limited services city and 10 years later still operates as such. City residents pay no city property taxes and as of 2021, actually pay LESS in overall taxes than unincorporated Gwinnett County. 

How Will Lost Mountain Impact My Property Values?

A 2017 study by Georgia State University that looked at recently incorporated cities in the metro-Atlanta area found that “new city formation is positively capitalized into property values within the new city, increasing 4–5% in the two years following new city formation compared to the two years prior and 12–13% over the entire analysis period.”

Will My Address Change?

The municipality of Lost Mountain will have the option to request an address change from the USPS after it is incorporated. This process can take a decade or more to complete and must be initiated by the council of Lost Mountain which may or may not occur as the majority of the residents wish. 

What Services Will Lost Mountain Provide?

In order to keep costs down while still fulfilling its mission of local control of future development,  Lost Mountain will provide only a few services: planning and zoning, code enforcement with a municipal court, and parks and recreation. All other services will remain under Cobb County control.

Will Lost Mountain Stop Development In West Cobb?

No! The goal is not to stop development but to implement smart development, which puts the needs of West Cobb residents first. For example, instead of developing storage facilities or apartments next to residential neighborhoods, we can control zoning so that restaurants, cafes, and shops that add value to our properties can be built instead. 

What Will The Zoning Plans And Code Guidelines Be In Lost Mountain?

When Lost Mountain is formed, the current Cobb County zoning and code guidelines will carry over to the new city. Once the city council is sworn in, they will be able to make changes to the zoning and codes as they see fit to promote the West Cobb lifestyle.

Will Lost Mountain Impact School Zoning?

No. School zones will continue to be under the control of the county school district and will not be impacted by Lost Mountain. In fact, state law prevents any new school districts from being created in Georgia.

Who Will Provide Police And Fire Services?

Pursuant to the municipal charter in the bill, Lost Mountain will form an inter-governmental agreement with Cobb County to perform services within the boundaries of Lost Mountain. Should the citizens of Lost Mountain wish to add additional services beyond: Planning and Development, Code Enforcement and Parks and Recreation, the council will have to be convinced to pass a resolution which the citizens will have to vote to approve in order to create a new service. It is Preserve West Cobb’s intent that Lost Mountain should only ever maintain the passive parks and lands in West Cobb and control future development and redevelopment to benefit the community. 

Who Will Repair Roads In The City of Lost Mountain? How Will That Maintenance Be Funded?

When new cities are incorporated in Georgia, they take ownership of the roads within the boundaries. Per the municipal charter in the bill, Lost Mountain will not take over roadway maintenance. Should the citizens find the county’s service lacking in the future, they may vote to approve a municipal roadworks service and the additional expense that would incur. The plan is to contract with the county, like other cities in Cobb, so they will continue to provide those services. Note that currently your tax dollars and SPLOST dollars pay for county road maintenance and that will not change after Lost Mountain is incorporated.

Will Lost Mountain Establish Its Own Sanitation Department?

No. While that service was included in the 2022 bill, it has been removed from the proposed bill.  The only services that Lost Mountain will perform under the revised bill are planning and development, code enforcement and parks and recreation.  

What Parks Will The City Of Lost Mountain Take Over From The County?

Ultimately, that decision will be made by the new city council. Preserve West Cobb has identified Price-Hall Park, Kemp Park property and other undeveloped lots in West Cobb.  According to Georgia law, when a new municipality is incorporated, it has the opportunity within the first year of operation to purchase any county land within the city boundaries at the price of $100/acre. Again, the goal is to keep the expenses low while accepting responsibility for the costs of maintaining public lands within the boundaries of Lost Mountain. 

Isn’t This Just Bigger Government?

We believe Lost Mountain is the way government should be: small and local. It will be taking three services from the much larger county government and providing them in a way that better suites the needs of West Cobb residents. We believe those who make decisions that affect West Cobb, should live in West Cobb. 

Who Will Make Up The Lost Mountain Government?

The government of Lost Mountain will be made up of six council members and a mayor, elected from across the elections of the new council members and mayor will take place after Lost Mountain is incorporated.

Will The Mayor Be Elected Or Appointed? Will They Have Term Limits?

The mayor will be elected by the residents and restricted to no more than two terms..

How Long Are The Terms For The Mayor And Council Members? What Are Their Salaries?

The terms for the mayor and council members will be four years. The annual salary for the Lost Mountain mayor will be $9,000 and the annual salaries for the council members will be $8,000 each.  

What Are The Districts For The Council Members?

There will be three districts in Lost Mountain with two council members per district. You can view the map here.  Council members will be required to reside in their districts for the entirety of their term and will be required to have lived within the boundaries of Lost Mountain for the 12 months preceding their election date. Council members will be elected at-large so as to be accountable to all residents.