The Public Safety Special Service District Senior and Financial Hardship Relief Program is aimed at qualifying property owners, with priority for residents 65 and older who can document financial hardship and households living primarily on fixed incomes such as Social Security, SSI, SSDI, pensions or veterans' benefits.

Payments are currently due Dec. 4. Under the new program, qualifying residents would be able to make monthly installment payments through early April 2027, according to city officials. Late-payment penalties may be waived on a case-by-case basis under Georgia law and the Mableton City Code.

The program does not forgive the assessment itself. Qualifying residents will still owe the principal amount and any accrued interest.

"Tonight marks a significant step forward for the City of Mableton," Mayor Michael Owens said. "Our City Council has demonstrated that we can support the needs and costs of keeping this community safe while standing with our most vulnerable neighbors."

Residents may also qualify by documenting certain financial emergencies, including involuntary job loss or significant wage reductions, major medical debt or illness, disability, the death of a primary household earner, or emergency expenses related to natural disasters, displacement or major property damage.

The Public Safety Special Service District is funded through annual property assessments that support public safety operations. The new relief program is intended to ease the strain of that added cost for residents who are struggling.

"We truly recognize that there are residents having hard financial times," Owens said. "This program is meant to help alleviate the strain from an additional cost."

City officials said additional information about how to apply, when applications will open and other program details will be announced through Mableton's website and communications channels.