Citizens express concern over spending
The Cartersville City Council approved a $408 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year Thursday, but it didn’t have the support of everyone in the council chamber.
“I have a general level of dissatisfaction and concern of how the city spends its money ” said citizen Mike Ellington.
Ellington questioned buying new furniture for the city hall building under construction, and employing people to do things like cut grass and pick up trash when there are private companies it can contract.
He said budget increases affect those already struggling with bills and senior citizens on fixed incomes.
“Remember the downtrodden and not just the rich folks,” he said.
Heather Ellington, another resident, said she feels many of the city employees’ salaries are “highly inflated” and stated that City Manager Dan Porta earns more than his counterpart in Marietta, which has twice the number of citizens.
“We need to a DOGE in the City of Cartersville,” Ellington said.
Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini fired back, asking Ellington the year of the last millage rate increase.
According to city records, the millage rate for 2025 was 2.66, compared to 2.78 in 2024. It was 2.91 every year prior, going back to 2020. However, the City advertised a property tax increase in 2021 and 2023. Those notices referred to the rate being higher than the calculated rollback rate, not to an increase in the actual millage rate.
“I challenge you to compare the millage rate with the City of Marietta,” he said, “and I also challenge you to find a city with three of four utilities to look after.”
Approval for the budget came after its second and final reading. It has a 6.5 percent increase amounting to an additional $25 million. The bulk of the budget goes to water and sewer expenses, which make up 43 percent of the budget. To look at the city budget presentation, go here. Those who want to look at budget documents can find them here.
There isn’t a property tax increase, but the city is raising fees on water, sewer, and electricity. Water bills will increase 5 percent, amounting to 17 cents per 1,000 gallons, raising the average water bill $2.66 per 7,000 gallons.
The city is increasing the administrative service charge on power bills, making the base rate $2.50. For the original story on budget changes at the last meeting, go here.
“We are rolling back our millage rate,” Santini said. “We are using bond rates for projects. Moving on, we are going to aggressively bring back quality of life things like roads.”
Later, as the city’s current financial status was presented, Porta said the city had to dip into reserves for some of the projects but that was anticipated and that the city’s finances were stable.
In other business:
The council approved buying a cardiac monitor for EMS services for approximately $53,500.
Approved applying for a grant through the Department of Homeland Security for emergency equipment like the cardiac monitor and a CPR machine.
Approved a nearly $98,000 contract with AT&T to relocate poles with copper and fiber lines downtown from Cherokee to Church Streets.
To view the entire meeting, go here.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.