HB847: HB847 Cobb County; tax commissioner and certain employees; change compensation

This bill amends a 1949 local law that created the Cobb County tax commissioner's office by combining the old tax collector and tax receiver jobs. It updates how much the tax commissioner and certain staff members are paid. The tax commissioner would get the state minimum salary set by Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-183) plus a county supplement capped at $47,443. The chief clerk's annual salary is set at $170,751. The bill also creates two new staff positions, an executive secretary and an administrative specialist, each with a salary capped at $71,111 per year, both appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the tax commissioner. All these salaries are paid monthly from Cobb County funds, and these employees can also receive cost-of-living or merit raises the county gives to its other employees.

• Sets the Cobb County tax commissioner's pay as the state minimum salary plus a supplement capped at $47,443, paid monthly from county funds.
• Fixes the chief clerk's annual salary at $170,751, paid from the county treasury.
• Creates a new executive secretary position appointed by the tax commissioner, with salary capped at $71,111 per year.
• Creates a new administrative specialist position appointed by the tax commissioner, with salary also capped at $71,111 per year.
• Allows the tax commissioner, chief clerk, executive secretary, and administrative specialist to also receive cost-of-living or merit raises given to other Cobb County employees.
• Requires tax commissioner candidates to name their chief clerk pick when qualifying for office, with a 30-day window to name a replacement if the clerk dies or leaves.

The Cobb County tax commissioner and the office's staff, including the chief clerk and the newly created executive secretary and administrative specialist positions, are directly affected, as is the Cobb County government, which funds these salaries.

The bill changes how much Cobb County taxpayers fund for the tax commissioner's office staff, setting specific salary caps and creating two new paid positions. It also affects succession planning for the chief clerk role tied to elections for tax commissioner.

• Section 1 revises Section 3 of the 1949 Cobb County tax commissioner law to update compensation figures.
• Subsection (a) sets the tax commissioner's pay at the state minimum under O.C.G.A. § 48-5-183 plus a supplement up to $47,443, and fixes the chief clerk's salary at $170,751.
• Subsection (a) also requires tax commissioner candidates to certify their chief clerk appointee when qualifying for election, with a 30-day replacement window if the clerk dies or leaves office.
• Subsection (b) creates an executive secretary position with a salary cap of $71,111, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the tax commissioner.
• Subsection (c) creates an administrative specialist position with the same $71,111 salary cap, also appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the tax commissioner.
• Subsection (d) allows all four positions to receive additional legally provided compensation and any cost-of-living or merit increases given to Cobb County employees.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 521
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-01-12Senate Recommitted (Senate)
8. 2025-04-04Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Terry Cummings (D, HD-039)Primary sponsor
• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)
• Devan Seabaugh (R, HD-034)
• Mekyah McQueen (D, HD-061)
• Jordan Ridley (R, HD-022)
• John Carson (R, HD-046)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

   165 yea, 0 nay (10 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Calendar Without Hbs 851 & 852: House Vote #342

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2026

   44 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #761

• Cobb County government
• local government salaries
• tax commissioner
• county employee pay