November 2025 Community Life - Canton Cherokee County Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Approved The FY2026 budget was unanimously approved by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and will provide funding for critical county services without adding new personnel or vehicles for the next year. It was developed with no increase in the maintenance and operations millage rate or the fire district rate. The October 7 meeting, during which the budget was approved, was the first for new District 1 Commissioner Will Cagle, who was sworn in earlier that day.Homeowners with the homestead exemption will not see an increase in their property tax bills for taxes levied by the Board of Commissioners. Cherokee County’s budget year runs from October 1 to September 30.The $438.6 million budget accounts for 2.1% inflation and assumes other revenue growth, such as permit fees, remains flat. It includes both operating funds and capital funds. Operations are funded by property taxes and fees, while capital projects are funded through Special Purpose Location Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds and impact fees.For operations, increased healthcare costs are partly funded by an increase in employee contributions. The operations budget includes 3% cost-of-living adjustments for employees and funding for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office competitive pay program to help recruit and retain qualified deputies.For capital, the budget includes funding from SPLOST 2012, SPLOST 2018, and SPLOST 2024, totaling $101 million for facilities — including the 94 North Street rehabilitation project, fire stations, the Justice Center expansion, as well as transportation projects.————————————————————————————Construction To Begin on Two New Cherokee County ParksThe Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a $6.5 million contract for the construction of Woodworth Park in southwest Cherokee County and the Yellow Creek Conservation Area and Trails near Ball Ground. The approval includes a county-controlled contingency of $330,000. The two projects were bid together to help save taxpayer dollars. Funding for both projects comes from SPLOST 2018, county tree funds, and impact fees. The first phase of the 53-acre Woodworth Park, located near the intersection of Highway 92 and Old Alabama Road/Hunt Road, includes a playground, restrooms, flex lawn, trails, parking lots, and entrances for both the public and maintenance. Phase one is expected to be completed by fall 2026.Cherokee Recreation and Parks leadership expects future phases of construction to begin before 2030, which will include a 50,000-square-foot recreation center and senior center, multipurpose athletic fields (baseball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer), a splash pad, additional parking, and more nature trails — including a proposed canopy walk through the trees. A new RFP will be issued closer to that timeframe, and construction timing depends on the collection of the 2024 SPLOST. In September, the Board also approved the $390,000 purchase of a 1.19-acre parcel on Hunt Road for the future construction of the recreation center and senior center.Woodworth Park is part of the Southwest Cherokee Parks and Trails Plan that was approved in 2021. Its trail network is also included in the Cherokee County Greenways and Trails Master Plan that was approved earlier this year.The Yellow Creek Conservation Area and Trails, located on Yellow Creek Road at the Etowah River, is a passive park designed to promote outdoor activity through hiking, equestrian, and mountain biking trails. It will also include equestrian primitive campsites and a canoe and kayak launch. Phase one of the Yellow Creek project will focus on the trailheads and separate parking lots for the mountain bike and equestrian trail users, the park entrance, restroom building, and maintenance building. Future plans connect the conservation area to the recently opened Long Swamp Recreation Area by way of the Etowah River Water Trail.The Yellow Creek Conservation Area and Trails is part of the Northeast Cherokee County Parks Plan approved in May 2022. Its trail network is also included in the 2025 Greenways and Trails Master Plan.————————————————————————————Canton Creek Bridge Project CommencesA new pedestrian bridge project has begun in the Sunnyside area of downtown Canton. Spanning over Canton Creek, the bridge will provide safer accessibility for the community to and from downtown. The City of Canton was awarded a $2.2M grant from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget in FY2024. This grant was aimed at using state-generated American Rescue Plan Act funds to improve local neighborhoods that were disproportionately impacted during the pandemic. To improve outcomes in Sunnyside, the City opted to apply funds for pedestrian improvements, as this area has a highly mobile pedestrian population.Of the several projects planned in this corridor, the first is pedestrian improvements such as a new pedestrian bridge over Canton Creek, as well as sidewalk improvements. This project will also expedite safe travel for pedestrians, as the City completes designs for a new vehicular bridge over Canton Creek to replace the existing narrow and aging bridge (pictured).The new Canton Creek Bridge will be prefabricated of weathering steel and span 160+ feet over the creek, providing pedestrian-only access, unlike the existing bridge that also serves vehicular traffic. During construction of the bridge, the existing roadway and bridge will remain open. In anticipation of this project, in early 2024, Canton’s Downtown Development Authority purchased the two properties impacted by the project at 103 Marietta Road (formerly Gabby’s Wireless and David’s Insurance Services) and 251 Marietta Road (formerly Canton Village) to facilitate access for construction of the bridge and future road improvements.“The new pedestrian bridge is a beacon of other great things to come for Sunnyside, including improved transportation projects, a new mixed-use development, and additional green space and recreational enhancements. Reimaging this primary entrance into our city will ensure a good first impression for first-time visitors and a better quality of life for all,” said Mayor Bill Grant.————————————————————————————South Canton Park Contract Approved Construction on the new 7-acre South Canton Park and dog park, located on Marietta Highway across from Cherokee County Fire Station 11, will begin soon. Funded entirely by Impact Fees, SPLOST dollars, and a $2.2 million state grant, the world class amenities will include: • Separate Parks for Both Large and Small Dogs• Tree Canopy Walk• Amphitheater and Chill Lawn• Accessible Playgrounds• Boardwalk• Food Truck and Mobile Dog Grooming Stalls• Rain Garden• Sky Swings• Accessible Trails• A New 1.5 Million Gallon Water Tank————————————————————————————Cherokee County School District AnnouncementsClass of 2026 Graduation Ceremony ScheduleCherokee HS - May 22 @8:00pmCreekview HS - May 21 @4:00pm Etowah HS - May 21 @8:00pm i-Grad Virtual Academy - May 21 @2:00pm River Ridge HS - May 22 @4:00pm Sequoyah HS - May 23 @9:00amWoodstock HS - May 23 @1:00pm For more information, visit CherokeeK12.net. SAT Scores Increase, Top Nation and StateCherokee County School District’s SAT scores for the Class of 2025 increased and continue to top national and statewide results. The CCSD Class of 2025 earned an average total score of 1085 on the curriculum-based college entrance and placement exam, according to results released by the College Board. The 2025 score is an increase from 1083 in 2024. The SAT is the most recognized measure of achievement for high school students. It includes two 800-point sections: evidence-based reading/writing and mathematics, with a possible total score of 1600; a third section, a writing exam, is optional.Jeep Raffle Supports CCSD High School Athletics, Bands, JROTCs It’s now easier than ever to support CCSD high school athletic teams, bands, and JROTCs while buying chances to win a Jeep Wrangler! By visiting ShottenkirkChrysler.com/jeep-raffle or scanning the QR code below, you can purchase one or multiple $5 tickets online and choose the school and program your donation will benefit. The raffle winner will be selected in a live drawing on March 21, 2026, at Creekview HS. Tickets must be purchased by March 13, 2026.
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