The City of Cartersville approved spending $92,060 on more evidence cameras and video storage during its city council meeting last week.
The purchase comes after a Cartersville police officer was arrested in September for allegedly stealing money from evidence storage. Donna Jean Kelley, 61, was charged with violation of oath, first-degree forgery, and felony theft by taking after the Cartersville Police Department noticed money was missing in May. It has never been disclosed how much went missing.
The CPD requested an independent investigation from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
The money for the multiple cameras and video storage is unbudgeted, but comes from the 2026 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) money.
The council went through almost two pages of agenda items with most being expenditures. Here are some other things the city is purchasing or paying for:
Sewer replacement on Bartow Street at a cost of $198,231.25. Councilmembers want to ensure the project doesn’t hamper the Christmas parade planned for Dec. 5. The road will be open but will be unpaved.
A landscape truck purchase priced at $68,795 under a state contract with Peach State Truck Sales. It replaces an old van.
CPD firing range system purchase at a cost of $145,280. This is for Telenet Systems low-voltage equipment and installation.
A John Deere Cab utility tractor and mower at a cost of $81,695. These are budgeted items.
Dellinger Park parking extension construction costs and electrical work at a cost of $217,585 with Pennant Construction.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.