Cherokee Officials Mull Qualifying Fee, Golf Carts, Redistricting

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners decided on a multitude of agenda items at its Jan. 18 meeting, including a Board of Tax Assessors appointment, a request for motorized carts/golf carts in Woodmont, agreements for land surveying and design engineering services, and the 2022 General Election qualifying fees.

During its regular meeting, the Board:

• Conducted a public hearing regarding motorized carts on approved streets in the Woodmont subdivision. Several people spoke in favor of the approved use of motorized carts in the subdivision, while some spoke against it. When asked by the Board to address any public safety issues, Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala and Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tommy Pinyan both indicated they did not want to lean toward one side or the other and indicated they saw potentially dangerous situations should a golf cart be used Gaddis Road to travel from one section of the subdivision to the other. Commissioner West cited public safety concerns since the subdivision is divided by a main road. One resident said there is a way to take a path under Gaddis Road, however, the Golf Club General Manager explained that the paths likely would be open to only club members. That would be something that would be addressed with club members. Staff Attorney Opie Bowen told Commissioners that the HOA would need to seek a special permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation to allow golf carts to cross Gaddis Road, and he would be happy to assist in connecting them with the proper people to start the process. Citing the public safety concerns, Commissioner West made the motion to deny the request by the Woodmont Homeowners’ Association, waiving the six-month waiting period to reapply and giving the HOA and the Golf Club the opportunity to come up with a plan that would alleviate public safety issues and resubmit its request. It was approved, 5-0.
• Approved, 5-0, adopting a resolution setting the qualifying fees for the 2022 General Election. Qualifying fees are: $1,140 for Board of Commissioners Chairman, $900 for District Commissioners 1 and 4, $360 for Board of Education Districts 3, 4, 5 and 6, $4,733.51 for State Court Judge, and $4,562.96 for Solicitor-General.
• Announced that the advertisement has been placed regarding redistricting.
• Approved, 5-0, Professional Services Agreements with Martin Land Surveying PC, Atlas Technical Consultants LLC, Southeastern Engineering Inc., American Engineers Inc., Calco Engineering LLC and Practical Design Partners LLC to perform land surveying and minor roadway design engineering services for county roadway construction projects. All are the highest ranked and lowest cost proposals.
• Announced that the Lake Allatoona Association Board members will make a presentation on the Noonday Creek Trash Trap Study at 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 in Cherokee Hall at the Cherokee County Administration Complex.
• Announced the Board of Commissioners’ retreat, which will be held Jan. 27, from 1 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., and Jan. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., at Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville.
• Approved, 5-0, a memorandum of understanding with the Sutallee Fire Department to work with Cherokee County on development of a new fire station and to allow volunteer service until at least May 1, 2025.