The Dalton City Council is set to deliberate on several significant proposals during its meeting on Monday, which includes a service agreement for virtual health care, a draft ordinance regulating vape shops, and a proposal for an outdoor firearms training facility. These agenda items aim to enhance public health services, establish clear business regulations, and improve police training capabilities.
Approval of Health Services Agreement
The council will consider a service agreement with Med Investors Development LLC, operating under the name One to One Health or “TextCare.” This agreement pertains to the city’s 2026 employee health insurance plan, allowing eligible city employees and their household members access to virtual primary care services.
Participants would benefit from 24/7 access to preventative health services through text messaging, phone calls, and video visits. The service includes coordinated referrals to specialty physicians and ongoing follow-up care. The cost for this service is set at $10 per employee per month, an expense that city officials confirm has already been budgeted for the 2026 health insurance plan. If approved, the agreement will take effect on January 1, 2026, and cover the entire plan year.
Regulations for Vape Shops
In another significant discussion, the council will review a draft ordinance aimed at establishing long-term regulations for vape shops. Following a moratorium on certain business types, the proposed Ordinance 26-02 seeks to add a new section to the city’s business code that specifically addresses these establishments.
The ordinance defines a vape shop broadly as a business primarily involved in selling vaping devices, consumable vapor products, alternative nicotine products, and related items. It outlines criteria that determine whether a business qualifies as a vape shop, focusing on the range of regulated products offered, the revenue generated from those products, and the floor space dedicated to them.
While the draft includes definitions for various products, such as cannabinoids and kratom, it does not impose separate regulations on individual items. Instead, the definitions serve to classify businesses under the proposed vape shop guidelines. The council aims to promote public health, protect schools and churches, and prevent an overconcentration of vape-related businesses through this regulation.
Firearms Training Facility Proposal
The council will also hear a presentation regarding a proposed outdoor firearms training facility for the Dalton Police Department. Located on city-owned property off Pleasant Grove Drive, the site is currently used by Public Works for various projects, including brush collection and mulch storage. The property has previously been identified as a former inert landfill.
Police officials argue that establishing this range would allow for local firearms training, reducing dependence on external facilities operated by other agencies, such as the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office. The proposed facility would feature a 50-yard pistol range and a 160-yard rifle range, designed with safety in mind, including berms to contain projectiles.
To address community concerns, police officials have conducted noise assessments at the proposed site, reporting sound levels comparable to normal conversation or busy traffic. Estimated costs for the project include approximately $12,000 for covered shelters, $10,000 for a small cinder block building, and around $150,000 for fencing. The presentation during the work session is meant to provide information and gather feedback, with no vote or final decision scheduled at this time.
As the Dalton City Council prepares to tackle these pressing issues, the outcomes could have lasting impacts on community health services, business regulations, and local law enforcement training practices.
