Council to Vote in Intergovernmental Agreement Today
News April 3, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — An intergovernmental agreement between the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County to conduct municipal elections, departmental reports and consideration of alcohol beverage permits will highlight Monday’s meeting ot the Dahlonega City Council at 6 p.m.
Council will hear reports from the Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning & Zoning Department, Code Enforcement, Finance and the Downtown Development Authority.
Alcohol Beverage Licenses will also be under consideration for Kaitlyn Vanhoff, Jody Meldon and Tyler Barnes of Four Country Vineyards d/b/a Accent Cellars, Farm Winery Manufacturing and Farm Winery Tasting Room, Chestatee Artists, Inc. d/b/a Dahlonega Arts and Wine Festival Special Event Alcohol Permit Wine Tasting and Wine Package Sales, Georgia Farm Wines, LLC d/b/a Taste Dahlonega for Wine Package Sales and Ancillary Wine Tasting , Sur De La Frontera for Beer, Wine and Distilled Spirits for Consumption on Premises and Aramark Educational Services Off Premises Alcohol Catering Permits.
Freddy Welch will appeal a decision rendered by the Historic Planning Commission February 15, 2017 denying his request to paint a building at 198 North Grove Street.
Council will also consider approval of the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Taylor announces plans to run for re-election in 2020
Election, Politics August 7, 2019
DAHLONEGA, GA
Current Post 5 councilwoman, JoAnne Taylor, has confirmed that she will run for re-election for Dahlonega City Council in 2020. 
Taylor told FYN that her most important accomplishment during her current term was, “Tax reduction of 5.14% for the proposed 2020 budget.” She further explained that the City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 15, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a City Council meeting on September 3 at 6:00 p.m., “to adopt the budget resolution.” 
According to Taylor, water, sewer, sanitation, and recycling costs for in-city residential customers will not increase, “We will continue a high level of service, make needed infrastructure improvements, and deliver new amenities to our community within the proposed budget.”
Taylor credits the tax reduction to the “teamwork and focus by the Mayor, City Council, and dedicated Staff on reducing costs,” and she also explained that her main focus item was reducing costs, “I have participated in all budget meetings. I also lent my business expertise to the staff in evaluating much-needed new financial application software…The new application, when fully implemented, will increase overall efficiency and improved citizen communication.”
Taylor also expressed to FYN her appreciation for being voted into the City Council, “I have been enormously privileged to be a public servant to Dahlonega. My $400 salary, net taxes, has been donated to local not-for-profits. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to serve.”
If re-elected, Taylor said her main focus would be, “Containing costs and managing growth while preserving the very special place we call home, Dahlonega.” Taylor further explained that she would focus on continuing to add amenities to Dahlonega, such as the Gold Adventures All-Abilities Playground in Hancock Park, the Farmers Market, and the Wimpy Mill picnic area, “We need to balance the significant costs of infrastructure, such as stormwater management, with providing improved amenities…I will continue to welcome feedback from our citizens, a vital form of government. Thanks in advance for your support!”
Gold Adventure All-Abilities Playground in Hancock Park.
New mayor, council members take oath of office
News January 3, 2018
Judge Raymond George administers the oath of office to Dahlonega’s new Mayor Sam Norton.
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Dahlonega City Council will take on a slightly different look in 2018.
Mayor Gary McCullough officially ended nearly three decades of service to the city, including three terms as mayor, during Tuesday’s council meeting. Sam Norton was sworn in to replace him. Norton served as the Post 5 councilman before stepping down to run for mayor.
Norton paid tribute to his predecessor, saying, “The city and all its accolades are a direct reflection of previous governments, which you were an important part of, and I want to thank you again for your service.”
Norton also thanked Mayor pro tem Bruce Hoffman for taking over after McCullough suffered a stroke.
“I want to thank Mayor pro tem Hoffman,” Norton said. “He was a very good mayor pro tem for the last couple of years. He got leaned on a lot more than I think he signed up for. You did a very good job and thank you for doing that.”
Helen Hardman, retired tourism professional and grant writer, is the newest addition to city council.
She took the oath of office along with incumbent councilmen Roman Gaddis and Mitchell Ridley.
Jeff Brannon was sworn in as city marshall. He has a strong background in law enforcement, having worked for sheriff’s offices in Hall, Clarke and Lumpkin counties and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
During the first meeting of 2018, council unanimously adopted a new eight-page ethics ordinance.
Council also reappointed Vivian Morse to the Lumpkin County Board of Health and Janet Tolbert to the Dahlonega Housing Authority.
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JoAnne Taylor will be sworn in as newest councilwoman during Monday meeting
News November 26, 2017
JoAnne Taylor joins city council Monday
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Dahlonega City Council will ratify the results of the Nov. 7 election when it meets Monday at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 565 Riley Road.
JoAnne Taylor, a local volunteer and retired corporate executive, will be sworn in as the new representative for Post 5. Taylor worked for IBM for 32 years where she was vice president of the global telecommunications industry segment.
Council also will take care of some year-end business like approving the meeting dates for 2018, which remain unchanged, and renewal of the probation contract with Northeast Georgia Probation Services from Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2018.
Staff has recommended, and council is expected to vote on, approval of an event permit for the first Dahlonega Science Festival, to take place at multiple locations within the city limits. The permit will be subject to the new event fees council will establish later this year.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
City to consider opioid epidemic resolution Monday
News March 4, 2018
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Dahlonega City Council will consider approval of a resolution to help increase public awareness of the opioid crisis that has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. when it meets Monday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m.
Opioid addiction and abuse is a growing problem with devastating consequences. Since 1999, the sale of prescription opioids has nearly quadrupled in the U.S. In 2015, nearly 40 percent of Americans were using prescription painkillers. Approximately 91 Americans die daily from opioid overdose and 17.7 percent of Georgia’s high school students report taking prescription painkillers.
The resolution states: “The City of Dahlonega, acting through the City Council supports local, state and federal efforts to combat the opioid crisis and will seek to raise awareness within its jurisdiction regarding this public health emergency.”
Spring festivals are fast approaching. Two of Lumpkin County’s most popular spring festivals — the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival April 20 through 22 and Dahlonega Arts and Wine Festival May 19 and 20 – have applied for special event alcohol licenses. Those applications are expected to be voted at Monday’s meeting. Council also will consider amending the city’s alcohol regulations to allow Sunday sales beginning at 11 a.m.
A representative from Rushton & Company CPA will present the Audit and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2017.
Wimpy Park is back on the council’s agenda. Residents of nearby Sky Country have expressed concerns regarding parking hazards. Council is awaiting the results of its grant application that should help address those concerns.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Early voting for Dahlonega City Council underway until Nov. 1
News October 17, 2019
Early voting is underway for the City of Dahlonega Nov. 5 General/Special Election. Registered voters may cast their ballot Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Nov. 1 at the Lumpkin Couunty Elections and Voter Registration Office at 56 Short Street in Dahlonega..
Tony Owens and Johnny Ariemma are competing for the Post 4 seat on the City Council currently held by Bruce Hoffman who will not run for reelection.
Dewey Moye is challenging incumbent Ron Larson for the Post 6 seat while incumbent JoAnne Taylor is unopposed for the Post 5 seat.
There is also a referendum question: Shall the governing authority of the City of Dahlonega be authorized to permit and regulate Sunday sales of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverates for beverage purposes by the drink from 11 a.m. until 12:30 am.
Council green lights Garrett-Green downtown hotel Parks and Butler buildings to come down
News July 3, 2018DAHLONEGA, Ga. – After a three-year standoff with Roberta Green-Garrett and her attorney, the Dahlonega City Council approved a consent order Tuesday that will allow her to build a hotel that will replace the old Butler and Parks Buildings in Dahlonega’s historic downtown.
The vote was 4-2 with District 1 Councilman Roman Gaddis and District 4 Councilman Bruce Hoffman opposed.
“People who were against the consent order assumed the council folded but we stopped it dead in its tracks for three years at a lot of time and expense,” Mayor Sam Norton said. “I don’t think either side is particularly satisfied with the agreement but we did the best we could do given the circumstances.”
But as councilwoman JoAnne Taylor stated in last month’s work session, ““We’ve either got to put our thumbprint on this design with Mrs. Green-Garrett, or roll the dice and see what the judge will say,” something most councilmembers were unwilling to risk.
During the public comment period, half a dozen citizens stood up and spoke out forcefully against the project. Ken Akins said, “This is our history, our heritage. This is what we’re all about and we are destroying that.”
The city and Green-Garrett’s attorney Joey Homans engaged in a lengthy mediation period and agreed to several conditions. For example, the premises can only be used as a hotel and must include an exercise facility, a lobby, a small outdoor pool, a breakfast lounge area and parking.
In other business, council unanimously approved a request to rezone 2.97 acres on Torrington Drive from B-1 (business) to R-3 (residential) to allow for the construction of apartment units.
Council denied Lynn Allred’s appeal of a Historic Preservation Commission decision that pertains to the construction of a fence at her Appalachian Gold business.
Council also agreed to move forward with plans to construct a kids play area at Hancock Park.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dahlonega City Council to discuss special event fees
News February 4, 2018
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The election of a mayor pro tempore, appointment of an ethics board and the establishment of special event permit fees in the city will be among the items to be decided at a meeting of the Dahlonega City Council Monday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m.
Special event permit fees to be considered include permit application fee ($300), refundable damage deposit ($500). Additional fees may be charged for the use of water and electricity at the Hancock Park Pavilion as well as an hourly fee for city employees who assist in coordination of special events.
Council will consider a repurposing of the 2020 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and is expected to take action to call an election on May 22 for the purpose of submitting to the voters of the county for their approval of the SPLOST to commence on April 1, 2020.
State law requires that prior to the voter referendum, municipal projects be authorized through intergovernmental contracts with the country.
Other items to be considered include:
- A declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse Costs of Acquiring Equipment with Tax Exempt Financing;
- An amendment to the resolution regarding employment contracts for department heads;
- A joint city/county proclamation recognizing and honoring Brian Denney for his service as chairman of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau;
- The appointment of Karl Goellner to the Historic Preservation Commission;
- A report from the Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority; and
- The appointment of DeEnna Walters and Sabrina Walker to Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority Board.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
City, County Agree on Service Delivery Strategy
News January 20, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County have reached a verbal agreement on a service delivery strategy (SDS). The SDS determines which services the county will provide for the city and what the city will pay for those services.
The strategy, which awaits the signatures of Mayor Gary McCullough and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Chris Dockery, calls for the city to pay Lumpkin County $50,000 annually for supplementary fire services, $8,000 annually for supplementary law enforcement services and a 10 percent court add-on fee for jail construction and staffing for housing inmates and to cover medical expenses.
At Thursday’s City Council meeting, Cumming attorney Dana Miles, who served as a neutral arbiter between the two governments, said, “I’d like to congratulate city and county officials for coming together so flawlessly in getting this done. This is the way government should work.”
The next item on the council’s agenda — a proposed policy change for festivals and parades — met with a little more resistance. City Manager Bill Schmid presented the draft proposal as representatives of Gold Rush Days, Arts & Wine Festival and Trail Fest listened intently.
The policy, which represents a recommendation of the Planning Department and Downtown Development Authority. It takes into consideration the impact these events have on downtown businesses and the cost of city services needed to support them. It recommends festivals be divided into three categories based on the number of people in attendance and implements permit and parking fees.
Category A would apply to attendance of 5,000 or less and would cost organizers $500 for the permit and $300 for parking. Category B would apply to festivals with an attendance up to 25,000 and would impose a permit fee of $1,000 and parking fee of $550. Category C would apply to events over 25,000 and would impose a permit fee of $1,500 and parking fee of $1,750.
Festival organizers argued their events benefit the local economy and help to promote the city in a positive way.
A representative of the Arts & Wine Festival pointed out that their event is strictly non-profit and that their advertising and budget for this year had already been spent. She objected to the parking fee, saying the city doesn’t charge a parking fee for other visitors. She also pointed out that their fest did not bring food vendors purposely because they wanted visitors to frequent local restaurants.
Representatives of Gold Rush Days suggested that the fees not be imposed until 2018 and that a committee be formed with city officials, business leaders and festival organizers to write the final draft.
Schmid stated the proposed policy is just a first draft and more input would be sought before any action was taken.
Dahlonega City Council Meets Monday
News December 1, 2016
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Departmental reports and the election of a Mayor Pro Tempore for 2017 are among the items to be considered at the Dahlonega City Council work session Monday Dec. 5 at 6p.m. in City Hall on Riley Road.
Council will also hear reports from Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Finance, Downtown Development Authority and Historic Preservation.
Other items on the Agenda include:
Approval of City Council meeting dates for 2017;
Bid Award for Local Maintenance Improvement Grant Installing Safety Items On Various City Roads;
Second Reading and Approval of revisions to the Alcohol Ordinance;
Second Reading and Approval of an amendment to the Noise Ordinance;
Adoption of the State Building Codes by Reference;
Amendment 8 Sediment Soil and Erosion Control adoption of State and Federal Guidelines;
A resolution of the City of Dahlonega Establishing Hotel Motel Tax Rate of 8%.
Items discussed in the work session may be voter on at the next regular meeting.
City Council to Discuss 2017 Election in Work Session
News December 13, 2016
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The City of Dahlonega will elect a mayor and three city council members in 2017. City Council will meet in a work session Thursday to discuss whether the city should conduct the election or contract with Lumpkin County for that service.
The city would have to hold Early Voting for three weeks prior to election day and state law requires the presence of of three poll workers in the polling place every day of early voting. That would require the city to hire three people on a temporary basis.
City Clerk Kimberly Smith could act as Election Superintendent but would have to attend certification classes and train the poll workers.
She estimates that would cost the city between $9,000 and $13,000. If Dahlonega contracted with Lumpkin County to hold elections, the estimated cost to do so would be $10,000 to $12,000.
Council is also expected to discuss:
The presentation of an award from Georgia Urban Forestry Council;
Update of City of Dahlonega Comprehensive Plan;
Christmas in Homestead;
A permit for an upcoming filming in Dahlonega;
Service Delivery Strategy;
Revisions to the contract with the Chamber of Commerce;
Possible Purchase of Equipment for Sheriff’s Office.
City Officials Discuss FY ’17 Budget at Work Session
News June 17, 2016
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Dahlonega City Council held a work session Thursday. A key item up for discussion was the FY 2017 budget.
Council is considering producing a summary budget rather than a detailed budget for FY 2017. The summary budget would be designed to save time and effort and reduce the potential for error. A more detailed budget will be available to the public by request. On July 27, the city will publish the millage rate, 5-year history and availability of the budget and will advertise for public hearings. If a proposed millage increase is above the roll-back rate the city will advertise for public hearings for “Notice of Property Tax Increase.” The completed tax digest will be submitted to the State Revenue Commissioner by Sept. 1.
Also on the agenda was the purchase of two work stations and one server with dual hard drives and data software from Universal Control for the Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $27,475.
Council then discussed renewal of the 2-year option in its contract with United Community Bank.
A discussion of Capital Asset Policy followed. Council discussed changing the Capital Asset Policy threshold from $2,000 to $5,000, setting the Capital Project Fund threshold at $50,000 (currently there is no limit) and preparing a 5-year window for the Capital Improvement Project that would listing only items above the $50,000 threshold in the Capital Project Fund.
The city’s law enforcement needs are currently provided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office via a Service Delivery Strategy (SDS), the Georgia State Patrol and University of North Georgia. With SDS renewal discussion about to take place, city council expressed the desire to review its options and is considering appointing a sub committee to aid in that review.
Council also heard a request by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce to change the street closings for Dahlonega’s Family 4th of July Celebration to include closing of the North & South Public Square parking lot on Sunday July 3 after 6 pm for vendor setup and the closing of West Main & Waters Streets on Monday, July 4 from 6 am – 8 pm.
Booker Delivers Quarterly Report for Chamber
News May 20, 2016
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber and Visitors Bureau President Amy Booker gave the first-quarter report to the Mayor and City Council at Thursday’s work session.
Booker said her organization held 9 networking events, two educational workshops, three ribbon cuttings, a merchant’s coalition meeting, a winery member meeting and the annual banquet and awards ceremony where the 2016 impact report and strategic plan was revealed.
She also said the Chamber has been busy planning Movies Under the Stars which attracts hundreds of visitors to Dahlonega from May through July as well as the 4th of July celebration and the Wedding and Wedding FAM Tour Aug. 28.
Other issues Council discussed which will appear on the next regular meeting agenda include:
The annual audit engagement letter from Rushton & Company;
The film industry permitting ordinance;
The Municipal Code Corporation purchase approval;
An amendment to the W.K. Dickson contract for renovations to the Dahlonega Waste Water Treatment Facility;
Approval of tents in Hancock Park for non-alcoholic events;
Purchase of a trench roller from Flint Equipment Company for $32,841;
Purchase of a dump truck with a 16-foot bed from Jacky Jones Ford for $75,190.12.