County to Fund $50K Service Agreement with Chamber and Amend Sheriff's Office Contracts

During the recent Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Work Session, several significant topics were discussed that will impact the county's budget and services for the upcoming fiscal year.

One of the primary discussions centered around a cost-sharing agreement with the local Chamber of Commerce. The county will contribute $50,000 in the first year and $55,000 in the second year for a service that provides direct access to a data platform. In exchange, county staff will receive four logins to the platform, allowing them to utilize the data for various purposes, including reports and planning. This expense will be funded through hotel-motel taxes and is set to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Another key topic was a request from the Sheriff's Office to amend a professional services agreement with LDD Blue Line Incorporated. This amendment pertains to the master planning and design services for improvements to the existing firearms training range. The second phase of this project, which includes architectural and engineering services, is estimated to cost $93,400 and will be funded through Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.

Additionally, the Sheriff's Office proposed an extension of its food services agreement with Trinity Services Group for the adult detention center. This extension would last one additional year at a cost of $796,167.03, reflecting a 3.8% increase based on inflation data from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase is accounted for in the Sheriff's Office budget for FY 2026.

The meeting also addressed proposed changes to the employee medical plan for the 2026 plan year, which begins on January 1. Notably, this plan includes an increase in employee medical premiums by 10%, marking the first adjustment to deductibles and co-payments in 14 years. The changes aim to align costs with the proposed budget and maintain a balanced cost ratio between employer and employee contributions.

In summary, the discussions during the work session highlighted the county's strategic planning for budget allocations and service agreements, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage resources effectively while addressing community needs. The Board of Commissioners will continue to evaluate these proposals as they finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.