Dennis earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration and completed the southern police institute’s administrative officers course at the University of Louisville. He also graduated from the Columbus State University Command College Professional Management Program. Dennis and his wife, Dawn, live in the Mountain Brooke North subdivision. They have two children and have three grandchildren.

Dennis currently works as a prison warden. He has previously served as president of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and president of the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition.

Dennis Nelson currently serves as Councilmember, Post #5 for the City of Ball Ground. He was elected to the Ball Ground City Council in 2021 and began his term in office in 2022. He was appointed Mayor Pro Tempore by Mayor Rick Roberts and has served in that capacity since 2022.

As a council member, did not raise taxes for several years.

Believes restructuring and redirecting costs to builders will reduce expenses for taxpayers.

- As a council member, did not raise taxes for several years.
- Believes restructuring and redirecting costs to builders will reduce expenses for taxpayers.

Economy

Supports impact fees, which are charges to developers to fund public services, such as parks and roads.

- Supports impact fees, which are charges to developers to fund public services, such as parks and roads.

Public Services

As a city council member, implemented a moratorium on new construction to slow growth.

Supports connecting outlying communities to downtown Ball Ground and plans to improve walkability further.

- As a city council member, implemented a moratorium on new construction to slow growth.
- Supports connecting outlying communities to downtown Ball Ground and plans to improve walkability further.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports having local officers on duty 24/7 to reduce response times and ensure public safety needs are met.

- Supports having local officers on duty 24/7 to reduce response times and ensure public safety needs are met.

Public Safety

Supports funding and constructing a proposed truck bypass to redirect truck traffic away from the downtown area.

- Supports funding and constructing a proposed truck bypass to redirect truck traffic away from the downtown area.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Plans to strengthen the existing tree ordinance to maintain a healthy tree canopy, establish tree management procedures, and require property owners to manage hazardous trees.

- Plans to strengthen the existing tree ordinance to maintain a healthy tree canopy, establish tree management procedures, and require property owners to manage hazardous trees.

Energy & the Environment

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Dennis Nelson

Dennis Nelson has a degree in criminal justice administration and is a graduate of the southern police institute’s administrative officers course at the university of louisville, kentucky, as well as a graduate of the columbus state university command college professional management program. He is also a graduate of the georgia state university's georgia international law enforcement exchange program as a visiting delegate to the nation of israel in 2003. Dennis and his wife, Dawn live in the mountain brooke north subdivision. They have lived in cherokee county for 31 years and seven years in ball ground. They have two grown boys; one is a high school science and biology teacher and the other is a former combat united states marine veteran. They have three grandchildren.

Dennis is the Chief of Police at the City of Ball Ground, where he has served since 2020. He has spent 45 years in law enforcement, holding top executive positions with several Georgia law enforcement agencies. He oversees a department of 168 full-time employees in the areas of corrections, code enforcement, refuse control, and beautification. 

Dennis is currently serving as an elected Councilmember for the City of Ball Ground. He was elected to the Ball Ground City Council in 2021 and began his term in office on January 1, 2022. He was appointed Mayor Pro Tempore by Mayor Rick Roberts and has served in that capacity since 2022.

As a council member, placed a pause on new construction to slow growth until a meaningful impact fee ordinance could be crafted.

Believes the creation of a by-pass highway is crucial for the future of downtown businesses.

Created an impact fee ordinance to address the burden of new development on infrastructure and amenities.

Restructured building fees to ensure developers pay the actual cost of construction, reducing expenses for taxpayers.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 