Dalton City Council to vote on resolution supporting improvement districts

Published 2:30 pm Friday, January 3, 2025

The members of the Dalton City Council are expected to vote Monday on a resolution that would ask local state lawmakers to introduce local legislation that would allow community improvement districts (CIDs) to be created in the city and Whitfield County.

The council meets Monday at 6 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

CIDs allow local businesses to vote to create a special tax district to fund improvements to infrastructure such as roads, sewers, street signs and stormwater control.

“Consent signatures must be obtained from a majority of commercial property owners representing at least 75% of the property value within the proposed boundaries (to create a CID),” said City Administrator Andrew Parker.

The districts can also qualify for state and federal grants. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration reports there are currently at least 30 CIDs in the state. Most are in the metro Atlanta area.

“Believe Greater Dalton (a Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce initiative) will be working with a CID consultant on a feasibility study to determine the best geographical areas which would constitute the CID if approved through local legislation,” said Parker. “For the city, I think the areas that would be under consideration are those that were included in the Gateway Corridor Master Plan completed a few years ago (i.e., exit 333, West Walnut Avenue, and exit 336, Rocky Face). Those locations are most similar to the character and nature of the other CIDs across the state.”

The members of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners are expected to vote on a similar resolution at an upcoming meeting.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Jevin Jensen said CIDs will “not impact homeowners in any way, as only commercial properties can participate.”

He also pointed out CIDs would create a new tax for “those businesses that vote to add it.”

“No existing taxes are abated,” he said.

Some business leaders welcome the idea of possibly creating CIDs.

“The Greater Dalton Chamber supports exploring the feasibility of establishing a community improvement district as a proactive way to drive growth and benefit the entire community,” said chamber President Jason Mock. “We will work closely with the city, county and local delegation to determine if this tool can effectively address shared challenges and advance projects that enhance quality of life and economic vitality for all.”