Cobb’s chief financial officer will take on new duties after County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris named him the county’s next deputy county manager last week. Bill Volckmann will assume the role currently held by Jimmy Gisi, who retires later this month.
Volckmann has served with Cobb County government for two decades and was named CFO in 2017. He has guided the county through multiple budget cycles, and under his leadership, the Finance Department has received numerous accolades for financial reporting and presentation standards.
Gisi retires from Cobb County after more than 35 years in government service. He departs as Deputy County Manager following a long tenure as PARKS Director and previous service as Executive Director of the Georgia Recreation and Park Association. He was inducted into the GRPA Hall of Fame in 2023.
Santa Claus will meet your favorite paws at a photo op event 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Cobb Water System lab in Marietta. This dog-only holiday event will feature photos with Santa, treats, and prizes. No retractable leashes, please. Go here for required registration and more details. The Water System lab is located at 662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta.
Light up your holidays in the coming days
Christmas events continue and families throughout Cobb will break out their candles and menorahs with the beginning of Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 14. Upcoming community celebrations include:
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Winter Festival, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Sewell Mill Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. Workshops, performances, and artist market.
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Winter Ward-erland - 6 - 9 p.m. at Ward Recreation Center. Take photos with Santa, crafts, snacks, inflatables and more.
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Sleighbells on the Square - Jingle all the way through Marietta in this 5K for the Children's Emergency Fund.
Dec. 13 - 14 - Home for the Holidays at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta. Performances 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets available at the door and online.
Saturday, Dec. 13 - Toy Swap! Trade up in age and donate gently loved toys you don't need, 2 - 4 p.m. in the Switzer Library Community Room, Marietta.
Sunday, Dec. 14 - Light the giant menorah at The Avenue East Cobb 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Family-friendly activities, festive treats, and the gelt drop. Free.
Sunday, Dec. 14 - Menorah lighting at Vinings Jubilee, 5:30 p.m. Giant Hanukkah snow globe, refreshments, photobooth, DJ, face painting, and balloons. Free admission - RSVP here.
Monday, Dec. 15 - East Cobb Park at 5:30 p.m. for Congregation Etz Chaim’s menorah lighting. Bring your friends and family. All are welcome.
Monday, Dec. 15 - Kennesaw kindles the candles on the menorah 6 - 7 p.m. at the Main Street Plaza. Free.
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - The Battery Atlanta Chanukah event at 5:30 p.m. Giant LEGO menorah lighting, inflatable sports games, treats, special entertainment, and more. RSVP here.
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - Acworth invites the community to Doyal Hill Park for the annual menorah lighting with the Chabad Jewish Center and Mayor Tommy Allegood, 6 - 8 p.m., 4410 Cherokee Street.
Due to cold weather, the MUST Ministries Hope House is providing shelter services and meals Dec. 8 - 9 for men, women, and children. Bookmark this page to check the shelter's status and future opening announcements.
When it is open, those who need to use the shelter are asked to arrive by 8 p.m. The Hope House shelter is located at 1297 Bells Ferry Road, Marietta.
Transportation options are available to the shelter through transit vouchers provided by the county, available from Reflections of Trinity at 4037 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Powder Springs. Call 770-222-6511 to request the vouchers.
Shop and support county libraries
Show the Cobb County Public Library System you care while checking off your holiday gift list. Buy cool library-themed clothing, fun gift wrap, and comfort items for your reading time in the new Cobb County Library merch shop. All revenues from the official online shop go to the Cobb Library Foundation and support the library system. Find it here.
Early voting starts for runoff election
Advance voting for the Senate District 35 Special Runoff Election begins today, Dec. 8. Please note this election is for voters in Senate District 35 only. For advance voting wait times go here.
There will be no voting on Saturday, Dec. 13, through Monday, Dec. 15. Election Day is Tuesday, Dec. 16. Polls will be open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned polling place. For personalized precinct information, please visit your GA My Voter Page. For more information on voting by mail, visit the absentee voting page at or call 770-528-2581.
Boost your business before the year is out. Cobb County Procurement Services Department and the E-911 Department will present a "How to Do Business with Cobb County Government" virtual webinar, noon - 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Cobb Christmas is loading up its annual Stuff-A-Bus food and toy drive next week. Collection days are scheduled Dec. 16 - 18. Sites include business offices, medical offices, eateries, and government offices. Find the date and location for a drop-off near you.
New, unopened toys may also be dropped off at the Cobb Christmas distribution site IAM Lodge 709, 1032 South Marietta Parkway, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on those dates.
Get your guide for winter activities
Check out the new Winter 2025-2026 PARKS Activity Guide. It features holiday festivities, leagues, art programs, and classes to amuse and energize children and adults alike. See who won the PARKS photo contest and read about the Special Olympics events coming to Cobb.
December might be the time when you finally decide to get that new companion for your household. Until the end of the month, you can adopt any pet for $25 each. There is no charge if you donate a bag of unopened and unexpired dog or cat food.
Dogs and cats available for adoption are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations. Cobb County Animal Services is located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta.
Cobb County Government recently unveiled its redesigned website at cobbcounty.gov. These changes, which can be viewed on any personal computing device, are designed to improve searchability, readability, and access for the public.
The work is ongoing. As staff continues updating links across the site, you may occasionally see a “Page Not Found” message. If that happens, please use the site’s search feature or navigation bar to find the information you’re looking for.
Cobb County is launching a limited-time amnesty period to help businesses operating in unincorporated Cobb come into compliance with county licensing requirements. Through Jan. 30, individuals and businesses engaged in commerce within unincorporated Cobb County can obtain a 2026 Occupation Tax Certificate — commonly known as a business license — without incurring back taxes, penalties, or interest.
The Board of Commissioners approved the amnesty period to support local businesses and ensure that all entities doing business in the county are properly registered. This requirement applies to independent businesses and county vendors providing goods or services under county contracts.
'Tis the season. Cobb's Thanksgiving Day tradition set records as more than 10,000 participants lined up for the annual Gobble Jog run. Check out the highlights of the year's largest fundraiser for Marietta-based MUST Ministries.
Of course, after Thanksgiving, attention turns to the Christmas season. The star of the show arrived on the Marietta Square to crowds of adoring fans ready to sit on Santa's lap. Check out the festivities!
A lot happens around the county that just doesn't fit into one weekly newsletter. Get more news and information from the Cobb departments you want to hear from.
