[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6572611,"mediaKeyId","3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c","parentId",3180287,"title","Votes at a glance: council actions on routine items, delegate and DDA appointment","audioSeconds",1973,"startMs",1232000,"endMs",3205000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c&start=1232&end=3205","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c/thumbnail_1232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6572611/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-council-actions-on-routine-items-delegate-and-DDA-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572611-5ac29876842da8ecf1441e50176459ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101081&Signature=QK7kJj25qXy0yRvj6UARzkYOnbxV1zWuyHAQKmy4W3uXevZLaQoZO-NQ5sCsOrasFeSdkpo6MhBDFZXg7J-c5MP9svDiSsjYC-xDB2QAzN5YU2ym7wBa-XpYUQlIEx14KpbwnIHQo9v-BaJJI3pdd~ma42mof1-JR~nwuHOVZe62jLwoF~NddGsW~EiQcN~foCC1QCDW-mJqtLVePwiWjHGcmQauLOahoFvIRbJmP4nD-0l6WFfWx8tbyC9EEhwGWclrMguDq6TKyC1fgfhvYIVsRpN0MomiR4LRytG8kuPOnqBQK1W4E7O2G5OstiBJqGgTZ3ujGzC--xwvYmAmeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Canton City ","date","2025-05-02T15:56:30.55Z","article","At the May 1 Canton Mayor and Council meeting, members approved several routine and time-sensitive items by voice vote.

Key votes recorded by the mayor:
- Election of a voting delegate for the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) convention and to cast the city’s ballot for District 3 North officers: the council approved a voting delegate (noted as Delegate Waterman) and instructed that the delegate be someone attending the June GMA convention.
- Approval of draft minutes for the April 17 council meeting: motion and second carried; all members voted in favor.
- Approval of an agreement with the Canton Housing Authority to provide a $500,000 loan to TBG Residential for the Riverstone LIHTC application and authorization for the mayor to sign the document: council voted to approve and all members voted in favor.
- Appointment to the Downtown Development Authority: Ashley Carlisle was nominated, seconded and confirmed by unanimous vote.
- Motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss litigation and real estate: motion, second and unanimous approval were recorded.

Several items were informational or continued for later action (for example, a request related to the water pollution control plan extension and certain contracts) and were not voted on at the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Canton GA City Council May 1 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved routine items including the GMA voting delegate, appointment to the Downtown Development Authority, minutes and the $500,000 housing loan; motions were passed unanimously as recorded by the mayor.","taxTitle","Canton City, Cherokee County, Georgia","taxId",52745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572615,"Council approves $500,000 loan agreement with Canton Housing Authority to support TBG LIHTC application",88,2955000,3043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c&start=2955&end=3043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c/thumbnail_2955000.jpg","/articles/6572615/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Council-approves-500000-loan-agreement-with-Canton-Housing-Authority-to-support-TBG-LIHTC-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572615-2cce5cc4a84e53be425282dc8bbf8da3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101081&Signature=M8HQ-Z2WBlhD1-ECytEGmyzDxyyX5cu6qGQtyk9JyQ6EceZFeYZmH8Ui2k4OsMD-4ZQOxysg5AxDaXEN-9lum3BbpL3Dfz~L8ucQB2f3DgfuWoHTLNn4BBgDhtcnBlDGnqWSKmGnnPlXsUx3t7qTCGDz1PzM8m1Bqo-1NKpozd7DHjlH4wxhCOYJ3fIcCLuiFgtKIHRupjudUNQ3wK7k-xrlnlDPEO6VZmpaUJBY5GEevxJJzSkye9CKcP0UI-hPPczRyU4deVNxi23V-he38Itsay61rV-D88-Xsg6bryQuysARkz-W3TW-vCe96YxOB3BvUS3~568wGW0xQp9KJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Canton Mayor and Council voted to approve an agreement with the Canton Housing Authority to provide a $500,000 loan to TBG Residential to support the company’s application for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).

City staff said the agreement mirrors last year’s document with two changes: references to ARPA funding were removed because ARPA funds are closed out, and a new condition requires the TBG project to obtain permitting within 24 months after receipt of any LIHTC award and Department of Community Affairs approvals. Mr. Peppers told council the housing authority’s team had reviewed the agreement and was awaiting signatures from its board.

Councilmember Thome moved approval and a second was recorded; the mayor announced that all members voted for the motion. The council authorized the mayor to sign the agreement so the housing authority and TBG could meet the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit application deadline of May 16.

No additional city appropriation beyond what was previously discussed was noted at the meeting; staff said the same agreement had been committed at the prior meeting and that both the city council and the housing authority would need to enact the agreement.

","Council approved an agreement to authorize a $500,000 loan from the Canton Housing Authority to TBG Residential for its Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) application, with the mayor authorized to sign. The loan requires the project to obtain permitting within 24 months after award, and the agreement removed prior ARPA references.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572620,"City reports March financials: $63.2 million cash and investments, general fund strong through March",246,1252000,1498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c&start=1252&end=1498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","/articles/6572620/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/City-reports-March-financials-632-million-cash-and-investments-general-fund-strong-through-March","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572620-3de9894449034eabb53df305498e07b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101081&Signature=kJ802X1Arze3TqUPO1QGNpDDNzQlvQfBWVQ6LNBJ0RKkeS5LciumA9MsyN-XC12QvMIHKC8a~qy364xmalpp7D3YpkR0sPtQr-0c7W3R8fWyvpFmAoq9ZCSxHDrl-yyagVP0S5NpadXtjdhpYgqVwebSHPIXHpTes4HxGGw~-0dFl~xU8aAB465BsCKMGm2P1N21ZmrxZopVhjgUhb~hCpa~1Ot-g-e9xFOyY5X5hUfNOwD66Dsz~onzcRJ0OZYY8gC1~-9M2oGWw6ztyPtW73MJNySwlT~7~yu6OJbTlyUVPSmfz2Oy-0pVCCAimzNXkis12yDZ61Ss437iWA7w0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city’s financial director presented the March financial report, showing the city held $63.2 million in combined cash and investments across funds through the end of March.

The director told council roughly 18% of that cash was in money market accounts tied to water and sewer bond proceeds, 40% in bank accounts, 32% in Georgia Fund 1 and 10% in U.S. Treasuries. He highlighted general fund revenues: the FY2025 general fund budget totals about $24.6 million and the city had collected about 88% of that through March, including roughly $1.2 million in occupation tax and financial taxes collected in March. Year-to-date general fund revenues were reported at about $21.6 million while expenditures were running near 48% of the annual budget.

The water and sewer fund was noted separately: the fund’s budgeted revenues are approximately $20.2 million with $9.1 million collected year-to-date, and March capital activity included roughly $2.6 million in invoices related to the new sewage treatment plant; staff said those capital outlays will be reimbursed from bond proceeds. For March the water and sewer fund spent about $1.7 million more than it received, which staff attributed to timing of capital reimbursements.

The director also reported hotel/motel tax receipts of about $83,000 for March and $517,000 year-to-date, roughly on trend with FY2024; rental-car tax receipts were approximately $95,000 year-to-date. Sales-tax (SPLOST) proceeds for February were $524,000 and the report noted the city was awaiting more recent proceeds to be reflected in next month’s packet. The director said overall the general fund showed positive cash flow year-to-date.

Council members thanked the finance director and asked no further questions at that time.

","City financial director presented March reports showing $63.2 million in cash and investments across funds, general fund revenues at 88% of budget through March and water/sewer capital activity related to a new wastewater treatment plant.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572625,"Canton Police present 2024 operational report: population growth, calls and crime trends",434,564000,998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c&start=564&end=998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c/thumbnail_564000.jpg","/articles/6572625/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Canton-Police-present-2024-operational-report-population-growth-calls-and-crime-trends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572625-173b128b228b83fceab4ef4328698392/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101081&Signature=FppZ3NO4~PZhStJRGhl2Z4phe~7RmXMjQs-Kd3l-Jg9wro8vvWjpvIFne5KukCCTGqqUZl4dOrKd6ipZbBiPFILluKbjP8qJy3ZY7VC5iFEwohOYARffRRaJs~HR-jXvPDqG~cbyV2ZjvrlWVANgBMjb7~jqWfoMa4RnZa9-oTcSNBKPTwFIXGBAU0iMfR7YRQRE3lf4nofOebxJv3lLBRx4wRfuf6W9fRn3HvyuoSoY5LYVvSwUIEitKtUAso1uQj8twTaxQKt-UA5~hbc3QP1zCHmMS7s50HlQz-ODdCOxSH0I4c4x2XCenhzMhsX7LxKFHPNqxSc3lA0WdSDr8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Canton Police Department presented its 2024 operational report to mayor and council on May 1, reporting an estimated 2024 population of about 38,305, a 3% annual growth rate since 2020, and a 32% increase in calls for service compared with several years prior.

Alec Robles, the department crime analyst, presented the report and outlined key metrics. Robles said the department recorded 31,490 calls for service in 2024 — a 16% year-over-year increase from 2023 and a roughly 32% rise over the past several years — which he attributed in part to population growth and increased staffing. The department reported zero homicides in 2024. Robles said property crimes remained the largest category, accounting for about 58% of Group A crimes, consistent with 2023 figures.

Robles described Group A crimes as the more serious offenses (crimes against persons, property and society) and noted that incident counts sometimes reflect victims rather than distinct incidents (for example, a single aggravated assault with multiple victims is counted per victim). Larceny, including retail shoplifting at major stores such as Target and Walmart, continued to be the most frequent crime by count.

Traffic crashes fell slightly: the department reported 45 fewer accidents than in 2023, a 3.2% reduction. Arrests edged up modestly, while citations and warnings rose about 33%, which Robles attributed to expanded traffic operations by the special operations division after it became fully staffed.

Robles also reported on the Criminal Investigations Division: a fully staffed CID with two sergeants and five detectives handled 585 cases in 2024; 69 of those cases remained active at the start of 2025. The division’s clearance rate was roughly 51%, which Robles said meets departmental targets. Evidence intake and disposition figures were also presented (872 items received, 1,018 items disposed), and the department logged 3,874 hours of training in 2024, including 1,258 in-house training hours.

Chief Marty Ferrell introduced Robles and credited him with producing the report. Council members thanked the department for staffing improvements and the reported safety trends.

","Canton Police presented their 2024 annual operational report showing population growth, a 32% increase in calls for service, a steady crime profile with zero homicides in 2024, and staffing and training updates.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572630,"Canton reviews redevelopment tax-incentive (\"blight tax\") process and criteria",439,1575000,2014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c&start=1575&end=2014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180287-6c60cc95c142f3f4147b1606e504040c/thumbnail_1575000.jpg","/articles/6572630/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Canton-reviews-redevelopment-tax-incentive-blight-tax-process-and-criteria","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572630-2e620f9d8d15245a3385884274527067/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101081&Signature=n56cBOVzMYoa4wns5~H2hnUCRQrY0-e7ZIVu5YNORLf01IrGbiYPSa-BFy2nyiOxSCkifz7QqjZPL2L~2AVtbW~ysF65rbGlqQkfbCdSc7X1FwerrlGUd00uhLlK9ph0ibDCxW0hIO~ZZxdwrAfXRJmrssod4aSrw2-Qg0Jyn80ywg4qorJhuE5Bxv5wto3q5JC5RrPL5BpS9CWmof5oTH4AU1hgWhVdqvYVIOXzPSv8Z4z5UruDKbU2gNyJ3W~JMttjTsAEKj7-bymsB4PBMVWaBwvM4qXNeSrC89GTTIW-Cv8c25hpOk-UuAR25bbc~3iV8Wt8Ms3qn36GUlBJKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Canton city staff reviewed the Community Redevelopment Tax Incentive Program, commonly referred to around the state as the \"blight tax,\" and explained how properties are identified, designated and removed under Chapter 54, Article 8.

The presentation by city staff member Mr. McClure detailed that the ordinance defines blight with reference to conditions in the Georgia Constitution and lists specific categories such as habitual code violations, life-safety issues, abandoned or unsanitary properties and repeated illegal activity. Under the ordinance, a property must meet at least two of those criteria to be eligible for the redevelopment tax designation, and aesthetics alone do not qualify a parcel as blighted, McClure said.

The process begins with an inspection or survey by the building official (which can include code enforcement or zoning staff). If staff forwards a finding, the public officer — the city manager or designee — issues a notice and schedules a hearing. McClure said the notice and hearing process is time sensitive: after staff transmits a recommended designation to the public officer there is a 45-day window to proceed, and a notice-of-hearing must be issued at least 10 days but not more than 30 days before the hearing. If the property is designated, owners may appeal to council, and city council hears those appeals.

If a property is designated, the owner may apply for removal by submitting a corrective action plan or redevelopment plan addressing repairs, demolition, restoration, timetable and financing. McClure said plans for parcels five acres or larger must also address land-use relationships, public utilities, traffic and other infrastructure and be consistent with the city's comprehensive plan. Removal requests and approved corrective plans must be reinspected by the public officer. The tax application deadline for a given year is June 30; plans submitted after June 30 take effect the following tax year. McClure noted that successful remediation may result in a three-year reduction to 0.75 of the city millage rate while the property comes off the designation.

Councilmembers pressed for clarification about residential properties. McClure said the ordinance specifically excludes owner-occupied single-family residences from blight tax designation where at least one person resides in the unit; in such cases, other enforcement mechanisms and life-safety codes still apply. Councilmember Stone asked how code enforcement can act when a residence is occupied; McClure and other staff explained that the city’s other code and life-safety processes remain available and that demolition or stronger remedies require additional legal steps or court action. Several councilmembers noted the ordinance can seem counterintuitive — for example, a structure might be unsafe yet ineligible for the blight tax because it is occupied — and staff reiterated that the blight tax is an incentive aimed primarily at redevelopment of vacant or substantially abandoned properties.

McClure displayed a recently remediated property as an example and said that although the property initially looked like a candidate for the ordinance, it did not qualify for the tax because it was occupied; nonetheless it was eventually brought into compliance through existing enforcement tools and lengthy court processes, he said.

Mayor Grant and council thanked staff for the overview and asked that the city continue enforcement where appropriate. McClure noted no additional city appropriation is required to identify properties under the program beyond staff time, and he encouraged council to let staff know whether they would like more aggressive identification or outreach.

The presentation closed with staff offering to return with follow-up materials and examples after further internal review and legal consultation.

","City staff reviewed Chapter 54, Article 8 — the Community Redevelopment Tax Incentive Program (commonly called the \"blight tax\") and outlined the inspection, hearing and appeal steps, eligibility criteria and timeline for applying or removing the tax designation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council actions on routine items, delegate and DDA appointment

Council approves $500,000 loan agreement with Canton Housing Authority to support TBG LIHTC application

City reports March financials: $63.2 million cash and investments, general fund strong through March

Canton Police present 2024 operational report: population growth, calls and crime trends

Canton reviews redevelopment tax-incentive ("blight tax") process and criteria