COBB COUNTY, GA — Cobb County held the first of three public hearings on Tuesday on its proposed $1.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

There will not be any tax hikes in Cobb County’s next budget during the upcoming fiscal year, according to officials.

Cobb County official Lisa Cupid says the commission found ways to fund a $50 million budget increase without bothering any tax payers.

“There is a good feeling to know that we are not continuing to burden excessively our public,” Cupid said. “Everybody is experiencing economic hardship at this time.”

Residents weighed in on the spending plan, which includes employee raises, steady tax rates, and a slight reduction in water transfer fees.

The proposed budget reflects a 3.8% increase over last year and offers county employees raises ranging from 2 to 5 percent. Property tax rates would remain flat under the plan, while the water transfer rate is set to drop by one percent.

Initial concerns about a $7 million shortfall were eased thanks to higher-than-expected tax revenues and lower-than-projected health care costs.

Two additional public hearings are scheduled ahead of the final vote by the Board of Commissioners on July 22.