SPLOST: Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, also known as SPLOST, is a one-cent, voter-approved sales tax. Money generated from the tax funds projects identified in the referendum approved by voters. It is put on the ballot every six years for renewal—2022 was one of those years. The SPLOST Roadway Department is led by project manager, Jim Wilgus.

A Special Note to the Voters of Cherokee County

Cherokee County government thanks the voters for renewing the SPLOST during the November 2022 General Election. Because of our community, this essential funding mechanism has been continued and will assist in paying for capital projects while keeping property taxes among the lowest in Georgia.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, led by Program Manager Laura Calfee, manages the CARES Act funding distribution, which is supplemental to the annual entitlement funding received from HUD. Three CARES Actfunded projects continued to address housing and food insecurity in the community through partnerships. In addition, the county continued the partnership with MUST Ministries to manage additional funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act for Emergency Rental Assistance. ERA-1 program funding ended on September 30, 2022, and MUST Ministries launched the ERA 2-funded rental and utilities assistance program on October 24 to allow clients to remain stably housed.

The Coroner’s Office tracks each death in Cherokee County to help streamline information for other departments like the District Attorney’s Office, CMANS, Child Fatality Board, Suicide Prevention Board, and the Department of Public Health.

The Coroner’s Office has investigated 718 of the 2,873 deaths in Cherokee County since January 2022.

The Cherokee County Coroner’s Office keeps up with the decedent from the point of death until they are at the funeral home. The office keeps up with the family until the death certificate is delivered. In addition, the Coroner’s Office stays in touch with the funeral home to ensure all of the family’s needs are met.

The Coroner’s Office carefully tracks information regarding each case and delivers reports to necessary departments to keep Cherokee County’s knowledge base accurate, secure, and up to date.

Moving Forward Together

The coroner is an elected official that assists with death investigations, working with agencies across the county, state, and nation. Sally Sims began her first term as Coroner in January 2021. She has more than 30 years of experience in nursing and is a Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator.

A slate of programs to assist small business owners strengthening the entrepreneurial environment throughout Cherokee County. Programs include:

• 1 Million Cups. Nearly 700 attendees at 19 events throughout the year.

• The CIRCUIT. Cherokee County’s first coworking space, The CIRCUIT, boasts 20 current members and celebrated its 5-year anniversary in 2022.

• North Atlanta Venture (NAV) Mentoring Program. A highly successful organization, NAV is propelled by 26 seasoned professionals who have volunteered a total of 430 hours during 2022.