Members of the Dalton City Council voted 4-0 Monday to approve a resolution asking local state lawmakers to introduce local legislation that would allow community improvement districts (CIDs) to be created in the city and Whitfield County.
Mayor Annalee Sams typically votes only when there is a tie.
CIDs allow local businesses to vote on whether to create a special tax district to fund improvements to infrastructure such as roads, sewers, street signs and stormwater control.
“This will give us another tool for economic development,” said council member Dennis Mock.
The districts would be limited to commercial property. They would be limited in length, with most lasting five to 10 years.
“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 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 the county is also working with Believe Greater Dalton to “identify a few underdeveloped areas, then we can discuss with those owners if they are interested in approving a CID.”
Jensen pointed out CIDs would create a new tax for “those businesses that vote to add it.”
“No existing taxes are abated,” he said.
Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce President Jason Mock said the chamber “supports exploring the feasibility of establishing a community improvement district as a proactive way to drive growth and benefit the entire community. We will work closely with the city, county and local (state) delegation to determine if this tool can effectively address shared challenges and advance projects that enhance quality of life and economic vitality for all.”
State Sen. Chuck Payne, R-Dalton, said he believes the local delegation will support the City Council’s request.
“It seems like something I could get behind,” he said. “This is government from the bottom up, not something imposed from the top down.”
The council members also voted 4-0 to approve:
• A $2.2 million contract with Wright Brothers Construction of Charleston, Tennessee, for the West Franklin Street and Valley Drive Stormwater Bypass System.
• A $100,000 settlement agreement with Arch Insurance for storm damage to windows at the old city hall at 114 N. Pentz St.
• A $21,500 purchase of a permanent stormwater drainage easement at 607 N. Elm St. from H.C. Brooker & Sons.
• A request by the Varnell City Council to lower the maximum building height allowed in the unified zoning ordinance for Varnell only for property zoned general commercial from 140 feet to 50 feet to better reflect that city’s small town nature. The ordinance covers Dalton, Varnell and unincorporated Whitfield County.
• A request by Ed Staten to rezone from heavy manufacturing to rural residential .38 of an acre at 1112 Riverbend Drive to bring the zoning of the property into conformity with its use.