Cherokee County residents will have the chance to vote next week on whether to give their county government the power to regulate “health and safety” issues such as junkyards, litter and unsanitary sewage.

The County Commission voted in August to put the act on the Nov. 7 ballot. Only residents outside city and town limits in Cherokee County will vote on the issue.

The act, which affects only unincorporated areas, does not give the commission zoning or taxing authority and it does not deal with property rights.

“It’s concerned with health and safety issues,” Commission Chairman Kirk Day said.

The act also would cover animal control, noise and pollution.

Before the commission adopts any ordinance on health and safety, a public hearing would be held.



“We would get input on what it should address, consult with our legal advisers and only then would we draft” a resolution, Day said.

Several other counties in Alabama are voting this election on giving county governments this authority.

If a county resident violated a health and safety ordinance, fines are limited to $150 per violation. The ordinance also provides for notice to those who are violating an ordinance.

Operations such as hog and chicken farms that already are governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would not come under this ordinance.



Many municipalities already have regulations in place to address litter and other health issues.

The state Legislature last year gave county commissions the right to regulate health and safety issues and some already have adopted it.

If county residents do not like the way the ordinance is being implemented, they can draw up a petition and call for another referendum to revoke it.

If the act does not pass this election, it will be two years before it can be voted on again