The Mableton Review

An agreement has been reached!
Please see the information below!

Also if you were planning on attending the TownHall tonight, please still attend!

Signing this agreement does not lay to rest the issue of what our future state of public services will be, specifically the possibility of standing up our own police department and its funding.

City of Mableton and Cobb County Finalize Law Enforcement Agreement

Mayor's Office
Posted on June 15, 2026
City of Mableton and Cobb County Successfully Finalize Intergovernmental Agreement for Police Services
Agreement Preserves Public Safety and Secures Key Revisions Protecting Mableton's Municipal Authority

MABLETON, GA (June 15, 2026) – The City of Mableton and Cobb County have finalized a new Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for law enforcement services. The agreement ensures uninterrupted police protection for Mableton residents while securing several important items that protect the City's municipal authority and local governance.

Mayor Michael Owens announced that after extensive discussions and negotiations, the City has agreed to move forward with the revised agreement.

"From the beginning, our goal was never to create conflict," said Mayor Owens. "Our responsibility was to ensure that Mableton could continue receiving high-quality police services while also protecting the powers and responsibilities granted to this City by the Georgia General Assembly and our Charter."

Following the expiration of the previous agreement on May 31, negotiations focused on several provisions that the City believed extended beyond the scope of a traditional police services contract and affected core municipal functions. The provisions include municipal court operations, local permitting authority, revenue, and other matters involving local governance.

The agreement reflects several revisions requested by the City after reviewing the initial draft presented following mediation. Those revisions were designed to protect Mableton's municipal authority, preserve the viability of its municipal court, strengthen accountability provisions, and ensure local governance functions remained under local control.

Throughout the process, City leaders maintained that the issue was not about seeking additional powers or special treatment. Rather, the City sought to preserve its ability to exercise powers already granted to municipalities under Georgia law.

As a result of continued discussions between the parties, Cobb County agreed to revise several provisions that the City identified as impacting municipal authority, municipal court operations, and local governance. These revisions addressed concerns that had prevented ex*****on of the earlier version of the agreement.

Among the most notable changes:

The agreement now recognizes the City of Mableton Municipal Court and preserves the City's ability to retain revenues generated through matters adjudicated in Municipal Court.

City ordinance violations will be processed through Mableton’s Municipal Court for adjudication, reinforcing the City's investment in its local judicial system.

Asset forfeiture provisions were revised to ensure forfeitures are handled through established regional public safety mechanisms rather than being retained exclusively by Cobb County.

The City secured expanded reporting, transparency, and notification requirements that will provide greater accountability and oversight regarding the law enforcement services being delivered to Mableton residents.

Additional protections were added regarding liability and indemnification provisions that better protect the interests of Mableton taxpayers.

"These changes matter because they recognize Mableton as a fully functioning municipality with its own governmental responsibilities," Owens said. "The City invested significant resources establishing a municipal court, administrative systems, and local governance structures. It was important that those institutions be recognized and respected."

One of the City's principal concerns involved preserving the ability of Mableton Municipal Court to perform the functions authorized to municipal courts under Georgia law. The final agreement recognizes the City's court and allows municipal matters to be adjudicated locally rather than unnecessarily transferring those functions away from the City.

Mayor Owens acknowledged that not every issue raised by the City was resolved.

"There remain areas where we continue to believe municipal governments should retain greater authority over matters occurring within their own boundaries," Owens said. "However, the final agreement is much stronger than the version originally presented to the City and reflects meaningful progress on several issues that were important to Mableton."

The Mayor emphasized that public safety remained the City's highest priority throughout negotiations.

"At no point did we lose sight of our responsibility to protect residents. I'd like to commend the County, Cobb PD and Sheriff Craig Owens for working with us to keep public safety as our top priority throughout this process," Owens said. "The agreement ensures continued police services while preserving important elements of local control and municipal governance. We believe it was important to ensure the final agreement properly reflected the interests of Mableton residents and respected the City's municipal authority."

The City of Mableton will host a Public Safety Town Hall on Monday, June 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Riverside EpiCenter. During the event, City leadership will provide additional information regarding the agreement, discuss the future of public safety in Mableton, and answer questions from residents.

Additional information is available at the City's official website, www.mableton.gov

City of Mableton and Cobb County Successfully Finalize Intergovernmental Agreement for Police Services (PDF)

Mableton, GA | Official Website

Reminder: Mableton’s Public Safety Town Hall is tonight: Monday, June 15, 2026 @ 6:00pm at the Riverside EpiCenter.

🚔 Public Safety Town Hall
🔽 Español abajo — haga clic en “Ver más”

Join Mayor Michael Owens and City Council for a Public Safety Town Hall to learn more about the City's long-term public safety strategy and the development of Mableton's future Public Safety Division.

This is an opportunity to hear updates, ask questions, and learn more about the roadmap ahead for public safety in Mableton.

📅 June 15, 2026
⏰ 6 PM – 8 PM
📍 Riverside EpiCenter
135 Riverside Pkwy, Mableton, GA 30168

We look forward to seeing you there.

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🚔 Reunión Comunitaria sobre Seguridad Pública

Acompañe al Alcalde Michael Owens y al Concejo Municipal para una reunión comunitaria sobre seguridad pública y conozca más sobre la estrategia de seguridad pública a largo plazo de la Ciudad y el desarrollo de la futura División de Seguridad Pública de Mableton.

Esta es una oportunidad para recibir actualizaciones, hacer preguntas y conocer más sobre el camino a seguir para la seguridad pública en Mableton.

📅 15 de junio de 2026
⏰ 6 PM – 8 PM
📍 Riverside EpiCenter
135 Riverside Pkwy, Mableton, GA 30168

Esperamos verlo allí.