August 2026 Community Life Woodstock DCA Selects Canton for GICH Senior CohortThe Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) recently announced that the City of Canton and the City of Pembroke will join the 2026 Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Senior Year cohort. The two communities were chosen after a competitive application process earlier this year. Over the next two years, these communities will develop a place-based strategy and receive tailored housing education and technical assistance. They will work to build housing in their target areas with the goal of providing quality housing opportunities in a revitalized neighborhood.GICH Senior Year is a competitive program for GICH Certified Alumni Communities with a mission to holistically invest affordable housing funds into Georgia communities based on their strategic vision. DCA’s goal is to braid targeted investments in 1-2 competitively selected alumni communities. Those braided investments may include strong competitive advantages within Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Community Home Investment Funds, and Community Development Block Grants, as well as specialized technical assistance from DCA and other housing and community development experts on how to best implement their communities’ housing plans. Participants are also eligible to receive select DCA funding resources that result in direct housing investments. To learn more about GICH, visit DCA.Georgia.gov.————————————Canton Shines Bright at 2026 Annual Convention of the Georgia Municipal AssociationCity of Canton Mayor Bill Grant recently returned from the 2026 Annual Convention of the Georgia Municipal Association. This year's theme, "Georgia Cities Shine Bright," celebrated the dedicated local leaders who work every day to solve challenges, create opportunities, and improve the quality of life for the people they serve. Once again, the City of Canton was recognized for its leadership in a variety of areas. From its strategic planning process and long-term roadmap, which other cities now look to as a model, to its work in attainable housing, affordability, placemaking, and responsible growth, Canton continues to earn a reputation for thoughtful, forward-looking leadership. That recognition spotlights Canton’s culture of leading with excellence that reflects responsible stewardship, fiscal discipline, and a shared commitment to making the city an even better place to live, work, play, and serve. Mayor Grant was also reelected by his fellow municipal leaders to serve another year on the Georgia Municipal Association Board of Directors. The 66-member board represents cities across Georgia and helps shape legislative priorities and policies that impact communities throughout the state. He also received the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute's Certificate of Achievement, recognizing more than 72 hours of continuing education in municipal leadership and governance. ——————————————————————Canton Proposes Balanced FY 2027 Budget: Major Investments in Services and Infrastructure The City of Canton’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget totals $98.3 million. This balanced budget is designed to fund essential City services, invest in major infrastructure improvements, and support the community’s growth and well-being.Key Highlights of the FY 2027 Proposed Budget:Transparent Property Tax Planning• The FY 2027 budget is based on maintaining the City’s current property tax rate of 5.250 mills. However, the City has also advertised a potential rate of 6.000 mills due to uncertainty about the Cherokee County Fire District Tax Rate, which may increase from 2.888 mills to above 3.1 mills. The final fire tax rate was still pending from the County at time of print.Responsible Financial Management• The City’s revenues come from a variety of sources including service charges, reserves, special sales taxes (SPLOST and TSPLOST), and property taxes.• The largest share of spending is dedicated to capital improvements ($34.5M), followed by engineering/water ($15.2M), police ($9.6M), fire ($8.4M), public works ($5.8M), and administration ($3.7M). Investing in City Employees and Services• Five new full-time positions will be added to improve city services, including maintenance technicians, a theatre technician, and an accounts payable specialist.• The budget includes a step increase for eligible Public Safety and Public Works employees, a 2.5% cost of living adjustment for other employees, and a $1,000 one-time retention payment.Major Capital Projects Nearly $35 million will be invested in projects that benefit the entire community, including:• River Mill Pedestrian Bridge, $6.94M• South Canton Park, $5M• West Main to Mill Pedestrian Corridor, $2.05M• Highway 140 / Marietta Highway Intersection, $1.8M• Road Resurfacing Program, $1.2M• Police Vehicles and Cameras, $491,843• Additional improvements to intersections, trails, and city planningSupporting Community and Tourism• Hotel/motel and rental car tax funds will support tourism, special events, the Cherokee Historical Society, Main Street, and the Sequoyah Regional Library.Water and Sewer Upgrades• Over $8.9M will go toward water and sewer capital projects including a new elevated tank and a sewer inspection program.• A modest 2.5% rate increase is proposed to maintain and improve these essential services.City Manager Billy Peppers stated, “This budget reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship, improved services, and a better quality of life for all Canton residents.”For more information, visit CantonGa.gov or contact City Hall at 770-704-1500.—————————————————————————Cherokee County Institutes Moratorium on Data CentersCherokee County has instituted a 30-day moratorium on data centers with the intention of extending it through early 2027. The County currently does not have an ordinance addressing the data center use, and the moratorium will give the Community Development Agency staff time to research and work with the legal department to create an ordinance for that use.There currently are no pending applications requesting a data center use.“Data centers have been proposed and/or built in neighboring counties and across the state of Georgia in recent years,” said Community Development Director Brantley Day. “Since we do not have any ordinances specifically addressing the use, we feel it is prudent to do the proper research and work with our legal team to develop an ordinance that reflects the vision and future land use of Cherokee County.”During the July 21 regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, the Board unanimously approved instituting the 30-day moratorium and calling for a public hearing at 6:00pm on August 18 at the Cherokee County Administration Building (1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton) to extend the moratorium, as staff develops the ordinance.“We expect to request a 180-day extension when we come back to the Board of Commissioners on August 18, taking us into mid-February of 2027,” Day said. “We need ample time to research, learn what has worked and what has not in other jurisdictions, and craft policy that works for Cherokee County.”——————————————————Finance Department Receives Prestigious GFOA Triple Crown AwardCherokee County has been recognized as a 2024 Triple Crown Winner by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), an honor awarded to governments that demonstrate excellence in financial reporting, budgeting, and transparency.The Triple Crown designation is awarded to governments that earn all three of GFOA's premier recognitions during a fiscal year: the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Cherokee County is one of only 441 governments across the United States and Canada to receive the designation for fiscal year 2024.To earn the Triple Crown designation, governments must meet rigorous standards in all three award programs. The awards recognize financial documents that effectively communicate an organization's financial position, operating results, and budget priorities while adhering to nationally recognized best practices. The county has won the award every year since 2020."Earning the Triple Crown is a significant accomplishment and a testament to the hard work of our entire team. From preparing detailed financial reports to developing transparent budgets and creating documents that are understandable to residents, our staff remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of financial accountability and public service," said Chief Financial Officer Lonnie “Chuck” Dinkins.For more information about the GFOA Triple Crown designation, visit GFOA.org.——————————————————————Elections Office Seeks Poll Workers for the November General ElectionThe Cherokee County Elections & Voter Registration Office is recruiting community-minded citizens to serve as poll workers in upcoming elections. Poll workers play a critical role in ensuring elections are conducted fairly, securely, and efficiently. Poll workers serve in a variety of positions, including greeting voters, checking in voters, assisting with voting equipment, and helping maintain an orderly voting environment. No prior election experience is required. Comprehensive training is provided, and poll workers are compensated for both training and Election Day service. Retirees, veterans, college students, working professionals, and anyone interested in serving their community is encouraged to apply.To learn more about becoming a poll worker, interested individuals are invited to attend one of three Poll Worker Meet & Greet events at the Cherokee County Elections & Voter Registration Office (193 Lamar Haley Parkway, Canton) on August 4, 13, or 19 at 6:00pm. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet Elections Office staff, learn about poll worker responsibilities, ask questions, and begin the application process. Those unable to attend a Meet & Greet may request information and an application by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..——————————————————Local Teacher Takes the Stage at Carnegie HallCreekview High School teacher Scott Martin, the school’s choral director, made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut for performances by the Cherokee Chorale community chorus. Creekview High School chorus students joined the Chorale for the performance of Elaine Hagenberg’s “Illuminare,” which included alumnae from all six Cherokee County School District high schools, and Creekland MS teacher Laura B. Martin, the school’s choral director and Scott’s wife. The performance was accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble. ————————————————————Woodstock Approves Final Reading of E Bike and Personal Transportation Device Ordinance The ordinance, originally introduced for first reading on June 22, 2026, aims to improve safety, clarify rules for riders, and align local standards with state law and surrounding jurisdictions. The development of the ordinance included extensive public engagement that began in late 2025. Residents shared concerns about youth riding high speed devices on city streets, inconsistent trail rules, and the need for clear guidelines, as new mobility technologies become more common.The newly adopted ordinance introduces modernized definitions that classify a wide range of personal transportation devices such as e bikes, e scooters, hoverboards, OneWheels, skateboards, and rollerblades while preserving existing protections for wheelchairs and other mobility assistance equipment. The ordinance also establishes clear rules for the use of motorized devices in parks and on trails: adults 18 and older may ride Class 1 e bikes and certain other motorized devices on paved trails, and a maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour now applies to all motorized equipment. Sidewalk regulations are also strengthened, prohibiting bicycles, e bikes, and motorized personal transportation devices from sidewalks, while allowing children under 13 to continue riding bicycles on sidewalks except in the downtown walk your wheels zones.Mayor Michael Caldwell highlighted the importance of the ordinance and underscored the shared responsibility required from the community. “This is an evolving issue, and as we learn more, we may need to adjust parts of it. If we discover something isn’t working, we’ll come back and fix it just as we always do,” Caldwell said. “Our priority is keeping Woodstock safe, as these devices become more common.”The mayor urged parents to consider safety when choosing devices for their children. “I want to strongly encourage parents to stop buying high-speed electric devices for young kids to ride in traffic. Allowing a 12-year-old to operate what is essentially an electric motorcycle on Main Street is extremely dangerous.” Caldwell also addressed expectations for youth riders: “To the kids, if you run from our police officers, we will find you, we will cite you, and we will speak with your parents. It is not the job of our officers to parent every child in the city. We need families to partner with us.”Mayor Caldwell recognized the broader challenge facing cities nationwide. “This issue is evolving rapidly across the country, and communities everywhere are working to keep up. I’m grateful that we’re addressing it ahead of time, so kids and adults can enjoy these devices safely, and so the rules are clear for everyone.”With Woodstock City Council’s approval, the ordinance is now officially adopted. The City will continue public education efforts and explore additional trail signage, striping, and long-term multimodal improvements. For more information on the ordinance or upcoming implementation efforts, visit WoodstockGa.gov.——————————————————New Pre-Approved ADU Program to Expand Housing Options for Woodstock Residents The Woodstock City Council recently voted to approve a new Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program, a streamlined initiative designed to make it easier, faster, and more affordable for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units on their properties.The program, developed in partnership with Unity Architects and administered by the City of Woodstock Community Development Department, offers residents five pre-approved base building plans at no cost. These plans have already undergone structural, architectural, and zoning reviews, allowing applicants to significantly reduce design expenses and permitting timelines. The plans have some built-in flexibility to allow residents to choose preferred options such as window sizes and adding or eliminating other features to fit their needs.Through the newly approved program, homeowners can choose from a variety of pre-approved ADU designs, ranging from compact single story living spaces to larger units built over a two car garage.To submit for a permit, residents only need a site-specific House Location Plan prepared by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect. Because the structure plans are already approved by the City, the remaining permit review is shorter and more predictable.Accessory dwelling units are becoming increasingly popular. These smaller independent living spaces offer a range of benefits, including:• Providing housing for aging parents or adult children• Creating rental income opportunities for homeowners• Supporting more attainable and diverse housing options• Increasing property value• Offering flexible space for changing household needsThe five available pre-approved plan sets are available for review through the Building Permits and Licensing Office or by contacting the Community Development Department. Residents interested in the program can visit the City’s website at WoodstockGa.gov/adu.—————————————————————Millions in GDOT Grants Awarded for Two Major Transportation Improvements in Woodstock The City of Woodstock has been awarded two significant transportation grants through the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Competitive Funding Proposal (CFP) program, totaling $10.5 million in federal funds that will advance key transportation projects within the city.GDOT awarded $9,948,844 in funding for the construction phase of the I 575/Ridgewalk Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange project, a transformative infrastructure improvement designed to significantly improve traffic conditions by reducing congestion, eliminating conflict points, and providing protected pedestrian crossings. The City will provide the required 20% local match of $2,487,210 for the construction phase.The City also received $640,000 in funding for the preliminary engineering phase of the Trickum Road Sidewalk Improvements project, which aims to enhance pedestrian connectivity and safety around the new Little River Park, filling in crucial gaps of sidewalk east of Trickum Road, providing a high-quality alternative to automotive dependence through over 2,500 feet of sidewalk, new curbs and gutters, and updated pedestrian crossings. The City will contribute a 20% local match of $160,000 toward the preliminary engineering phase.The awards support improvements through the Transportation Alternatives program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program. For next steps, GDOT will assign project managers and begin the process of developing Project Framework Agreements with the City following confirmation of the required local match. Learn more about transportation infrastructure in the city of Woodstock at WoodstockGa.gov.
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