Good morning, you’re listening to the Georgia 101.7 News Update. From the WJTH newsroom, I’m Brent. We have a comprehensive look at the latest Calhoun City Council meeting, featuring major municipal budget adjustments, multimillion-dollar utility bonds, and the latest local arrest records. Here is the full report.
City Budget Amendments and Unanswered Payroll Questions The Calhoun City Council approved fourth-quarter budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2026 to shift surplus funds and balance departmental overages.
The Breakdown: The city transferred $463,767 in surplus Electric Franchise Tax revenues to balance several general fund categories. This included $101,038 required to cover police overtime. Discussion on police overtime blamed the overage on the number of full-time officers being down, however, no explanation was given for how the payroll budget was over with the lower officer roster. Other fund movements included an $8,555,852 transfer to School SPLOST Capital Projects, $40,212 in Opioid Settlement funds for police AEDs and fire training room furniture, and a $1,147,366 ARPA federal relief transfer to the Water and Sewer Fund for backup generators and the Spring Valley project.
The Chris Cox Lawsuit Settlement The city is covering an unbudgeted legal bill to satisfy the remainder of a lawsuit settlement.
The Breakdown: The council approved a Fiscal Year 2027 budget amendment allocating $854,778 to General Administration Legal and Auditing. This covers the city’s net liability in the Chris Cox settlement after primary insurers submitted their payouts. This was funded by adjusting revenue lines for insurance premium taxes, sales taxes, and building permits. We have reached out to City Administrator Paul Worley for a copy of the Cox Fire Department lawsuit.
Major Water and Sewer Infrastructure Bonds Calhoun is investing up to $50 million to upgrade local water infrastructure and meet strict federal drinking water regulations.
The Breakdown: The council adopted a Master Bond Resolution governing utility debt and executed a First Supplemental Resolution with Truist Commercial Equity for up to $50 million in Series 2026 Draw-Down Revenue Bonds. Proceeds target Phase I water system construction, advanced treatment to reduce PFAS concentrations, and necessary drinking water upgrades. The bonds feature a tax-exempt variable rate capped at 6 percent and require a debt service coverage ratio of 1.20.
Legislative Actions and Downtown Events The council approved several municipal code updates and community event closures.
The Breakdown: Council formally adopted Section 5.10 Design Guidelines and Standards into the zoning ordinance, confirming on the record that agricultural zoning remains exempt. They also added a $400 Conditional Use Permit fee to the general government fee schedule and approved the surplus disposal of a 5-foot finish mower and a 6-foot bush hog that have been unused for twenty years. For the Merry and Bright Weekend on November 21 and 22, the council approved closing the City Park parking lot and established an open container district for Saturday evening between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
Public Safety and Court Report Here is the monthly look at local crime and municipal court data.
The Breakdown: The Calhoun Police Department handled 413 total cases, issued 250 citations, and logged 48,644 patrol miles. Officers responded to 109 traffic accidents resulting in 25 injuries, and faced one lethal weapon encounter. Municipal Court docketed 105 cases, collecting $54,405 in fines alongside $20,885 from older cases. The police department also received approval to use $7,562.60 from State Forfeiture Funds to purchase 25 cases of patrol and training ammunition.
Building and Development Boom Calhoun’s growth continues, driven by a massive industrial development.
The Breakdown: City inspectors conducted 396 on-site inspections and issued 149 permits representing over $60.3 million in construction value. The largest project is a $45 million permit for a new industrial facility on Salem Road by PR III/SREP ICC 2, LLC. The city also processed 23 new single-family residential permits totaling over $5 million and a $5.03 million commercial renovation for Catoosa Senior Village.
Utility and Public Works Field Report Utility crews maintained heavy workloads managing the electrical grid and water distribution networks.
The Breakdown: The Electric Department managed a 28.5 million kilowatt-hour load, advancing system engineering for major subdivisions including 102 homes on Peters Street and 65 townhomes on Newtown Road. Water crews repaired 60 water main breaks and installed a 1,500-foot waterline extension on Gunner Road. The water treatment plants processed over 362 million gallons of raw water, and the wastewater plant averaged 4.8 million gallons of effluent daily. Additionally, the council approved a $994,430 contract for utility relocations required for the Curtis Parkway road widening.
Community Services: Library, Parks, and Animal Control Here are the latest updates on community programs and recreational services.
The Breakdown: The public library maintained 13,053 cardholders and logged over 5,400 digital checkouts. The street department laid 33 tons of asphalt for pothole and trench repairs. Animal Control admitted 17 domestic animals, processing 7 adoptions or rescues. The Recreation Department celebrated the 9-to-10-year-old girls’ volleyball team winning the GRPA District Championship, and winter basketball is gearing up with 192 registered youth players.
Gordon County Jail Arrest Report Moving to the blotter, here is the latest booking data from the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office.
The Breakdown:
Samantha Lynn Burgess 40 Calhoun CPD Willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.
Brian Lee Collins 42 Calhoun GCSO Acquiring license plate for purpose of concealing identification of motor vehicle, driving on roadways laned for traffic (2 counts), driving while license suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, headlights, improper lane change, maximum limits (2 counts), operation of vehicle on approach of authorized emergency vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, reckless driving, registration and license requirements; penalties, spotlights, foglights, and auxiliary lights permitted, stop signs and yield signs (2 counts), use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, vehicles to drive on right side of roadway; exceptions.
William Skyelar Dorris 34 Cartersville GCSO Theft by taking – felony.
David Orlando Milian 38 Calhoun CPD Theft by deception (6 counts).
Christopher Todd Mooney 42 Cartersville CPD Battery/simple battery-family violence – /misd/- (prebook).
Tyler Lee Moody 33 Dalton GCSO Simple battery – family violence.
Joshua Douglas Shepherd 37 Calhoun CPD Willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.
Mitchell Reid Torrez 25 Gorman GCSO Aggravated child molestation, child molestation, grooming minor for sexual offense, sexual exploitation of children (2 counts).
Mariayn Jean Wright 33 Calhoun GCSO Possession of marijuana prebook.
Honoring Our Veterans Before we wrap up the news this morning, I want to take a moment to talk about what today really means. Today is November 11th—Veterans Day.
Here in Gordon County, and all across Northwest Georgia, we are surrounded by men and women who answered the call. You see them at the grocery store, at the high school football games, and right next door. They are the quiet professionals who put their own lives on hold so the rest of us could sleep soundly.
To the veterans listening this morning, whether you served decades ago or just recently returned home: we see you, we respect you, and we thank you. Your courage is the reason we can wake up every day in a free country, debate our local politics, and live our lives with peace of mind.
If you’re out and about today, take a second to shake a veteran’s hand. Buy them a cup of coffee. Let them know this community has their back, just like they had ours.
From the WJTH newsroom, I’m Brent. To our veterans, thank you for your service, and to everyone else, have a blessed and safe Wednesday.