CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
We have almost everything going for us in Cherokee County! We’re blessed with gorgeous geography and climate and a perfect location close, but not too close, to Atlanta. Our schools, public safety, recreation, and other services are all awardwinning. And we’ve been able to keep our debt and tax rates among the lowest in Georgia. Best of all, we have citizens who care and are willing to work together to make and keep our county great. We are poised for unparallelled success!
Our problems are all about too much of a good thing. Our desirability has attracted people here in numbers that threaten to overwhelm our infrastructure and quality of
We came together to manage our growth. We developed a conservative land use plan in about 2002 and began sticking to it consistently in 2007. The cities, which should and will continue to grow, have all now agreed to reasonably limit their outward expansion. We’ve slowed the annual growth rate from 5% pre-2008 to 2% since then. The county’s plan calls for continued gradual slowing, to 0.75% by 2050.
The School System has done an amazing job of keeping up, though it took considerable debt financing that they are now paying down. State highway improvements inevitably lag behind the need due to the scale of the projects. They’re coming faster now, and that pace will continue for the next 10 years or more. Local roads have mostly kept up, but only barely. That pace also needs to pick up, and it will take more money.
Our slower growth policies have driven up home values and especially limited the supply of lower priced homes. If we want to keep a healthy cross-section of citizens here, we must find a way to address housing affordability. Together, we are working to further restrain the quantity and enhance the quality of our growth. Together, we are developing new sources of road improvement funding. Together, we are searching for appropriate ways to keep some affordable housing in the mix. Together We Thrive!
Steve West District 1 Commissioner Richard B. Weatherby District 2 Commissioner
Geoffrey E. Morton, P.E. County Manager Christy Black County Clerk
Carter District 3 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale District 4 Commissioner
Current Population
286,602
Median Household Income
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, July 2023 estimate $100,824
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
292,360
Source: Atlanta Regional Commission, July 2024
Median Home Value
$487,500
Source: Cherokee County Tax Assessor’s Office, 2024
GENERAL SERVICES AGENCY
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Led by Director Matt Williams who celebrated 30 years with Cherokee County in 2024.
by Chief Information Officer Michael Haines.
by Manager Brett Wehs.
• Renovated Woodstock Tax Commissioner’s Office to house Superior Court Clerk operations and to add a break room
• Parking improvements at multiple facilities
• Completed renovations to Marshal’s Office
• Completed renovations to new Probation Office building.
• Installation of new access control systems at multiple facilities
• Lighting enhancements at several facilities PROJECTS
FLEET SERVICES
Led by Director Tony Bryant.
Led by Director Derek Nelson. RISK MANAGEMENT
1,054
Risk Management aims to reduce the frequency and severity of all claims incurred.
K. Scott Gordon General Services Agency Director
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Probation Services
400 East Main St., Canton | This 7,200-square-foot facility was renovated to operate as a new Probation Services center relocating this service from the Marshal’s Office building, expanding the usable space for both departments. Interior renovations included the provision of 25 office spaces, which includes a director, three supervisors, three drug testers, and one administration space. Also included are a waiting area, training, breakroom, mail/copy rooms, drug testing and lab spaces, and supporting HVAC, data, and electrical rooms. The building’s exterior was repaired and refreshed, as well.
Station 13 –
134 Ficklen Church Way, Canton | The replacement station in the Sutallee community opened in September. The 12,000-square-foot facility includes the fire station, fire apparatus bay, and a dedicated community room. The community is welcome to rent the community room for gathering or meetings.
Station 30
East Cherokee Drive near Holly Springs Parkway | A new EMS-only station is under construction to expand coverage. The new station will house an additional ambulance, referred to as a “squad,” in an effort to reduce response times and improve overall service delivery to the surrounding communities.
Coming in FY2025
Capital Projects is working on the following:
• Assisting Recreation and Parks with the development of the Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area in Ball Ground. It is expected to open in fiscal year 2025.
• An update to Justice Center Master Plan with the National Center for State Courts is underway, and the County continues to work with the city of Canton and the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit for additional courtroom space, offices, and parking.
• The former Arts Center building at 94 North Street is being rehabilitated and remodeled to allow for future court services use.
• Fire & Emergency Services Station 16 renovation in downtown Canton—a joint venture with the city of Canton.
Sutallee
SPLOST ROADWAY
Led by Director Patrick Bradshaw.
Projects Constructed or Under Construction
East Cherokee Drive at Mill Creek Drive Roundabout
The project will upgrade the current three-way intersection at East Cherokee Drive at Mill Creek Drive to a four-leg roundabout to accommodate new development and future traffic.
Construction cost: $2,247,902
Status: Under construction.
Expected completion: March 2025
Hickory Road & Stringer Road Sidewalks
The project fills in gaps in the sidewalk network along Hickory Road from SR 140 to New Light Road and along Stringer Road across the frontage of the Middlebrook subdivision. Partnership project with the city of Holly Springs.
Construction cost: $3,706,422
Status: Under construction.
Expected completion: August 2025
Water Tank Road Drainage Improvements
This project will address stormwater runoff issues along creeks bisected by Water Tank Road in eastern Cherokee County. Improvements will focus on replacing numerous undersized and non-functional culverts to infrastructure that meets current stormwater design standards.
Construction cost: $780,512
Status: Under construction.
Expected completion: January 2025
Hames Road
Roadway reconstruction between SR-92 and Jamerson Road.
Project includes the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Hames Road and South Jett Road. Vertical and horizontal modifications were completed along Hames Road to improve safety. Curb and gutter, drainage improvements, and sidewalks were added to Hames Road.
Construction Cost: $5,028,160
Status: Completed July 2024
Projects in Design or Right-of-Way Acquisition
Upper Bethany Road and Damascus Road
Intersection Improvements
Damascus and Upper Bethany Roads are rural roads in northern Cherokee County near the Pickens County line. The approaches to their intersection lack adequate sight distance. This project will remedy issues with this intersection through a combination of cutting and filling the existing vertical profile to achieve proper intersection sight distance.
Construction cost: $1,070,922
Status: Design complete. ROW secured.
Construction expected to begin: March 2025
Bells Ferry Road Widening
Bells Ferry Road, north of Commerce Drive to North Victoria Road, is a heavily congested, two-lane facility with substandard horizontal and vertical geometry issues. Cherokee County has partnered with GDOT to substantially improve the corridor, including installing four 12-foot travel lanes, raised medians, sidepaths, and intersection operational improvements. Cherokee County committed to purchasing all of the needed right-of-way to expedite the timeline for the widening project.
County-funded right-of-way costs: $14 million
State funded construction cost: $42,156,463
Status: Design complete. Right-of-way completion in December 2024.
Expected bid date: January 2025
Allatoona Pass Subdivision Drainage Improvements
The 42-year-old stormwater drainage system in this neighborhood has exceeded its useful service life and has been the cause of numerous resident complaints. The county will make upgrades to bring the system up to current design standards.
Construction cost: $1,110,357
Status: Design complete. Right-of-way completion in Q4 2024.
Expected bid date: March 2025
Trickum Road at SR 92 Intersection Improvements
Cherokee County has partnered with the Atlanta Regional Commission and GDOT to make needed safety and operational improvements to Trickum Road near its intersection with SR 92.
Construction cost: $5,536,611
Status: Design complete. Right-of-way completion expected in first quarter of 2025.
Expected bid date: April 2025
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Planning & Zoning
Led by Director Margaret Stallings.
Rezoning Cases Variances/ Appeals Minor Subdivisions Sign Permits Special Use Permits Administrative Variances Zoning Certifications Code Compliance Cases ANNEXATIONS
Proposed Acreage and Approved Acreage
Proposed Acreage
Approved Acreage
Cases 1 (1.00 Acreage)
Approved 1 (1.00 Acreage)
Cases 3 (74.67 Acreage)
Cases 4 (30.04 Acreage)
Approved 3 (29.66 Acreage)
Cases 0 (0 Acreage)
Approved 0 ( 0 Acreage)
Cases 0 (0 Acreage)
Approved 0 (0 Acreage)
Approved 0 (0 Acreage) Total 12 Annexations Cases 6 Approved Cases 121.42 Proposed Acreage 37.31 Approved Acreage
Cases 4 (15.71 Acreage)
Approved 2 (6.65 Acreage)
0 (0 Acreage) Cases 2 (1.138 Acreage)*
0 (0 Acreage)
0 (0 Acreage)
0 (0 Acreage)
Ground
Canton
Holly Springs Nelson
Waleska
Woodstock
Ball Ground Canton
Holly Springs Nelson Waleska Woodstock
*Both of these cases were denied.
Cases 0 (0 Acreage)
Cases
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Led by County Engineer Ben Morgan.
1,442
Total Plan Reviews Conducted
11,651 Stormwater Structures Inspected
210 Stormwater Enforcement Actions
2,804 Erosion Control Inspections
110 Land Disturbance Permits
382 Complaints
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Taxes, Debt, and Expenditures per Capita 2023 Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) by County
Jimmy Marquis Chief Financial Officer
Led by Director Greg Anderson. Led by Manager Kristi Bosch.
2,533 Purchase Orders
55 Formal Solicitations Issued $4,506,313 Savings Through Competition
$8,178,432 TOTAL GRANTS
Sally Sims Coroner
123,799
Calls for Service
Drones
The department purchased two state-of-the-art drones piloted remotely by CSO employees. The drones assist with locating missing persons and lend support for other critical incidents.
New Special Operations Precinct
The centralized facility opened in December 2023 to house the Traffic Unit and the K-9 Unit. It also includes offices for the Coroner’s Office.
PEREGRINE INTEGRATION
Peregrine centralizes data from a variety of sources while embedding robust security and permission models to protect it. The technology unifies and visualizes data across multiple platforms, allowing anyone in the organization to uncover insights, identify trends, and answer complex questions quickly. This state-of-the-art technology leverages real-time data to understand and overcome complex problems.
The Cherokee County Justice Center has recently updated the security video system. This system allows monitoring for security purposes to ensure the Justice Center Video and Security System Upgrade
Frank Reynolds Sheriff
FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES
1 Under Construction (EMS-Only) Sworn Firefighters: 450
Licensed Paramedics: 194
Licenses Advanced EMTs: 184
Licensed EMT-Intermediates: 78
7,437
Eddie Robinson, Fire Chief
PUBLIC SERVICES AGENCY
Agency awarded its 3rd certificate of accreditation in July 2024
Agency training hours completed: 1,280 Agency’s new Truck Compliance Unit started in March 2024. This unit conducts high visibility concentrated patrols on county roadways for commercial motor vehicle violations.
ANIMAL SHELTER PROBATION SERVICES
by Director Emili Roman.
1,880 New Active Probation Cases
74,334 Community Service Hours performed by probationers
2,968
277 Animals Cared
293
381
1,263 Spay/Neuter Surgeries
1,777 Pets Microchipped
22,161
1,984
Subscriber Radios
Dana Martin, Chief Marshal Public Services Agency
COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY
RECREATION & PARKS
Led by Director Jay Worley.
Gun-n-Hoses 5K (18th Annual Race) 1,798 runners
Live Like Laken 5K (700+ runners)
raised for the Laken Hope
Cherokee Recreation and Parks was granted $75,000 from Georgia Recreation and Parks Association to help offset costs for summer camps.
OUTDOOR
**In conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and GA Dept of Natural Resources, CRPA hosted their third Wildlife Management Event at Blankets Creek Park. To manage the overpopulation of deer in the park, 300 county citizens were selected through a lottery system to go out into the park and attempt a harvest. It was an archery-only event during the legal hunting season. All Georgia hunting laws were followed.
Bryan Reynolds Community Services Agency Director
THERAPEUTICS COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Second Annual TRopical Oasis Night
This annual fun, summer, sensory-friendly evening event at the Oasis Pool is designed for individuals with special needs. A whopping 1,033 guests join us.
ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
For the second year, we’ve partnered with Keep Cherokee Beautiful and the Adopt-A-Mile program. This year, we adopted 1200 Wellstar Way near the Aquatic Center. We completed a year of picking up trash and making the mile look cleaner and more beautiful. We look forward to many more clean-ups in the following years.
200 Letters Sent to Veterans
1,500+ Hugs in a Blanket
In honor of Veterans Day, the community wrote letters and cards to those that serve our country.
1,000+ Project Valentine
Donating Christmas holiday items to nursing homes, assisted living communities, MUST Ministries, local housing authorities, and women’s and homeless shelters.
Donating fun and useful items to the Empower Cherokee Training Center.
1,000+ Some Bunny Special
Donating to The Children’s Haven, local housing authorities, and women’s and homeless organizations during the Easter Season.
Cherokee Recreation & Parks Social Media
facebook.com/playcherokee
instagram.com/playcherokee 15K followers
2.2K followers 12,441 likes
150+
Santa phone calls made
75+ Santa Letters sent to children
Children create and submit a list of desired Christmas gifts. Santa and his elves call the children to chat about their Christmas list in mid-December—“You better be good for goodness sake!”
Children write letters to Santa and drop them off in special Santa Mailboxes. Each child receives a personal letter from Santa days before the sleigh stops at the child’s home.
CHEROKEE YOUTH SPORTS
518,830
AQUATICS DIVISION
Led by Director Tim Morris.
3,350 Activities/Meetings Silver Roamers is an active adult program with activities and trips.
CHEROKEE AREA TRANSIT SERVICE (CATS)
Led by Director Greg Powell.
CONFERENCE
*CATS transitioned the Fixed Route Service to Microtransit in January 2024 with a soft launch. The new program is seeing increased ridership and shorter wait times for riders.
The Conference Center is funded 100% through rental fees and hotel/motel taxes.
CENTER
Led by Manager Troy Brazie.
HUMAN RESOURCES
EMPLOYEE AND BENEFIT DETAILS
1,992
1,461
1,200
CERTIFICATIONS
•
• 2 Team Members are PSCA Certified Plan Sponsor Professionals
• 2 Team Members are GLGPA Certified Human Resources Managers
• Director is Certified Local Government Manager through Carl Vinson Institute at UGA
• Benefits Enrollment
• Assistance with healthcare claims
• Retirement transition with pension benefits and medical coverage
• Employee performance appraisal process
ACHIEVEMENTS
• 19 Employee Education Sessions Offered
• Winter Wellness Challenge with 204 participants
• Active Photo Contest with 39 Entrants
• Annual Employee Health Fair in partnership with Northside Hospital
COMMUNICATIONS
4
• Best in Category (NACIO) –2023 Annual Report (NACIO)
• Superior Designation (NACIO) –Cherokee Messenger e-newsletter
• Excellence Designation (NACIO) –“Cherokeet” campaign on Instagram
• Top Graphic Design Product (NIOA) –Safety Superhero Day marketing materials
37,609 Following
2 Certified Crisis Coordinators
2 FEMA Certified Personnel for Emergency Operations Center activations
471,500 Reach
772 Social Media Posts
Erika Neldner Communications Director
103 News Releases
3,794 Newsletter Subscribers
66 Newsletters Sent
100 Videos Created
Communications launched the county’s YouTube channel in FY2024 with a priority of providing informative content in an easy-to-follow video format. Content includes information on property assessments, what to know when you call 9-1-1, safe boating, vehicle tag renewal, senior services, animal services, and more. Follow on YouTube at @cherokeegagov.
In late FY2024, Communications launched Love Where You Live, a people initiative that highlights the people who live in Cherokee County. The initiative kicked off with six videos with a nomination process that opened on Oct. 1, 2024. Visit lwyl.cherokeecountyga.gov for details.
CHEROKEE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
9 New Locations/Expansions
$45M+ in Capital Investment
430 New Jobs
69 Small Businesses served through the Fresh Start Cherokee Initiative
$201,125 In Mini Grants to Businesses through Newly Established Launch Pad Program
Completed new county-wide workforce strategy.
For more information, please see: www.cherokeega.org/about/annual-report
Misti Martin COED President
ELECTIONS OFFICE
ELECTIONS & VOTER REGISTRATION
ELECTIONS CONDUCTED:
221,200
Registered Voters in Cherokee County
798
Poll Workers Trained
Anne Dover Director
291,720 REGISTERED VEHICLES
CALLS
CALLS
$400,319,390 PROPERTY TAX COLLECTED $87,262,371 VEHICLE TAX COLLECTED
Denise Mastroserio Tax Commissioner
Steve Swindell Chief Appraiser
CLERK OF COURTS
Patty Baker Clerk of Courts
JUVENILE COURT
Led by Clerk of Juvenile Court Chesley Cantrell.
* Dependency Case totals reflect one case per family not per juvenile.
PROBATE COURT
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes felony crimes and provides services to crime victims. The 71 staff members collaborate with law enforcement and other partner organizations to ensure that justice is served and that crime victims are protected.
The District Attorney’s Office is committed to utilizing accountability courts when criminal activity is linked to substance abuse and/or mental health. Prosecutors, investigators, and victim advocates provide training to colleagues in the criminal justice system, as well as members of our community.
1,564 Cases Closed
The District Attorney’s Office closed 1,564 felony cases in fiscal year 2023-24, including crimes involving persons, drugs, property, and other felonies. In 12 months, this Office opened 1,408 cases and closed 1,564 — a closure rate of 111%.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement
More than 56% of new cases originated with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, followed by Woodstock Police (18%), Canton Police (13%), and Holly Springs Police (6%). The remaining cases were investigated by Ball Ground Police, School Police, and other agencies.
4,377 Victims Assisted
Victim advocates in the District Attorney’s Office provide support and guidance to individuals victimized by crime.
In 2023-24, a team of 10 advocates assisted 4,377 crime victims, 11% of whom were children.
32 Superior Court Trials
Throughout the year, the District Attorney’s Office presented trials to the four Superior Court judges in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. By year’s end, the Circuit held 28 jury trials and four bench trials.
Felony Cases Received for Prosecution in FY2024
Susan K. Treadaway District Attorney
SOLICITOR-GENERAL
The Office of the Solicitor-General prosecutes all misdemeanor criminal offenses and ordinance violations committed within Cherokee County or referred for prosecution by one of the county’s municipal courts. The Office also provides victims services for those people impacted by criminal activity. Solicitor-General Todd Hayes and his staff are dedicated to the pursuit of justice and protection of the innocent, while also seeking out opportunities to rehabilitate offenders using proven means such as accountability court programs.
The Solicitor-General’s staff members are some of Georgia’s most accomplished professionals in the field of misdemeanor prosecution. They routinely train both law enforcement officers and professional colleagues across the state and have been consistently recognized by their peers and the community for excellence.
IN PROSECUTION
The Solicitor-General’s Office closed a total of 4,753 misdemeanor cases. This included 307 drug cases, 472 domestic violence cases, 598 county ordinance violations, 943 DUIs, and 1,592 traffic cases. In total, the Office achieved a closure rate of 109%, thereby enhancing the judicial efficiency of State Court by reducing its overall caseload.
AWARD-WINNING STAFF
• Victim Advocate Rebekah Allen Smith— Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force Member of the Year (2023)
VICTIM SERVICES
Throughout the year, the Solicitor-General continued its participation in and support of three accountability court programs, including Judge Jordan’s DUI Court, Judge Morris’ Veteran’s Treatment Court, and Judge Wallace’s Treatment Accountability Court. These three programs continue to have outstanding success in rehabilitating offenders and driving down recidivism within their targeted offender populations. EFFICIENCY
• Assistant Solicitor-General Emily T. Johnson— 2023 Assistant Solicitor-General of the Year at the Canton Moose Lodge’s Emergency Services Banquet
• Assistant Solicitor-General Marsha Terry— 2024 Optimist Club Respect for Law Award recipient for outstanding work in Domestic Violence cases
• Chief Investigator Chris Ulm:
o Selected for E-911 Foundation Board of Directors
o Robert Stubbs Award from Blue Ridge Bar; nonlawyer making significant contribution to legal community of Cherokee County
ACCOUNTABILITY COURTS
The Victim-Witness Advocacy Division is staffed by four of the most dedicated advocates in the state of Georgia. During FY2024, these extraordinary professionals served 475 crime victims, providing 3,377 distinct service contacts in the process.
TYPES OF CASES
Todd Hayes Solicitor-General
JUDGES
Ellen McElyea
Chief Superior Court Judge
Shannon Wallace Superior Court Judge
Chief State Court Judge
Tony Baker Superior Court Judge
W. Alan Jordan
David Cannon, Jr. Superior Court Judge
Michelle L. Helhoski State Court Judge
A. Dee Morris
State Court Judge
James Drane
Chief Magistrate Judge
Jennifer Davis
Presiding Juvenile Court Judge
Keith Wood
Chief Probate Court Judge
Richard Jones
Juvenile Court Judge
COURT CHANGES AS OF JAN. 1, 2025
Superior Court Judge David Cannon became the Chief Superior Court Judge succeeding Chief Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea, who retired at the end of 2024.
The presiding Juvenile Court Judge Jennifer Davis became Superior Court Judge.
Juvenile Court Judge Richard Jones began serving as the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge, and Amanda Speights became a Juvenile Court Judge.
Trey Goodwin was elected as the next Chief Magistrate Judge and is succeeding longtime Chief Magistrate Judge James Drane, who retired.
JUDICIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Juvenile Court was awarded the Clearance Rate Excellence Award for the second year in a row. The award recognizes courts who met or exceeded a 110% case clearance rate.
Cherokee Juvenile Court ranked second in the state by closing 187% of the cases.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Program began in April of 2024. The program is used by all courts and pays for itself through filing fees.
898
Cases Referred to Mediation
Cases Completed the Process by September 30
24 Languages and Dialects Interpreted
COURT INTERPRETERS
1,425 Appearances by Interpreters at Hearings
2,096 Hours of Interpretation
Growing Need
The need for interpreters continues to grow.