Cherokee County cities are calling on the county to join them in three public meetings to hash out their disagreements over “service delivery” — who provides services, and how taxpayers should be billed for them.
The county and cities had failed to agree on a service delivery strategy by an Oct. 31, 2018 deadline. The cities are now listed as not meeting Qualified Local Government Status, which can bar them from certain state assistance and funding, according to a statement by Canton Mayor Bill Grant.
Resolutions recently passed by Canton, Holly Springs, Mountain Park and Woodstock call on the county to appoint two elected members of each city council and two county post commissioners “to negotiate service delivery in good faith and to do so publicly.”
The cities propose a meeting Feb. 26 in Canton to discuss parks and recreation; March 25 in Woodstock to talk about roads and stormwater; and April 22 at a county facility to be named to address sources and uses of funds and special tax districts. Information: https://bit.ly/2Ubp9vw
Service delivery strategy is a seemingly arcane issue that, ultimately, determines who delivers services like parks and road upkeep and how taxpayers pay for them. In disputes across Georgia between cities and counties, cities have contended their residents shouldn't be taxed by counties for services already provided by the municipalities. For the state's take on the issue: https://bit.ly/2RFvwFx
“The citizens and businesses of our community expect their elected officials to work together to assure services that they pay for are provided in an efficient manner and that there is not unnecessary duplication of efforts between the cities and the county,” Grant said.
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