Reps. Brad Thomas, John Carson, Don Parsons, Rick Jasperse, Jordan Ridley and Mitchell Scoggins Issue Joint Statement on City of Holly Springs’ De-Annexation Lawsuit

ATLANTA - State Representatives Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), John Carson (R-Marietta), Don Parsons (R-Marietta), Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), Jordan Ridley (R-Woodstock) and Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville) today issue the following joint statement on the City of Holly Springs' lawsuit regarding de-annexation, following the enactment of House Bill 1029 into law earlier this year.

"As members of the Cherokee County Legislative Delegation, we are disappointed that the City of Holly Springs has chosen to pursue what we believe is a frivolous and meritless lawsuit, wasting both city and state taxpayer dollars to oppose sensible legislation.

"HB 1029 was designed to bring the city's growth policies back into alignment with the concerns of the community. It reinforced existing policies intended to create a fairer and more balanced approach to annexation and development, while protecting the residents and character of Hickory Flat. When the legislation became law, we hoped city leaders would work collaboratively with Cherokee County government and our state delegation to build a stronger future for our community. They've instead chosen continued conflict.

"Instead of wasting tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on legal battles and lobbying efforts, those funds would be better invested in improved equipment and higher salaries for Holly Springs police officers or used to provide tax relief to residents of Holly Springs-the highest-taxed city residents in Cherokee County.

"The city's decision to challenge these protections only reinforces the perception its leadership has an insatiable desire to pursue annexation and aggressive overdevelopment, despite residents' concerns about quality of life, infrastructure, public safety and the additional property tax burden that comes with annexation.

"The people of Holly Springs, Hickory Flat and all of Cherokee County deserve cooperation over conflict, responsible growth over unchecked expansion and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars over unnecessary litigation. We remain confident that the city's challenge will fail, that HB 1029 will be upheld and that the actions of the state will ultimately be vindicated."

House Bill 1029, legislation sponsored by Rep. Thomas and enacted into law in May 2026, amends the City of Holly Springs' charter by revising the city's corporate boundaries and adjusting the composition of the city council to reflect updated district lines.

The full text of HB 1029 may be found here.

Representative Brad Thomas represents the citizens of District 21, which includes a portion of Cherokee County. He first was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves as Chairman of the Special Committee on Resource Management, Vice Chairman of the Governmental Affairs and Technology & Infrastructure Innovation committees and Secretary of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Intragovernmental Coordination, Retirement and Transportation committees.

Representative John Carson represents the citizens of District 46, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as Chairman of the Retirement Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Insurance, Rules, Transportation and Ways & Means committees.

Representative Don Parsons represents the citizens of District 44, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and currently serves as Chairman of the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Code Revision, Health, Intragovernmental Coordination, Technology & Infrastructure Innovation and Ways & Means committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

Representative Rick Jasperse represents the citizens of District 11, which includes Pickens County, as well as portions of Cherokee and Forsyth counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Education, Health, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Regulated Industries and Rules committees.

Representative Jordan Ridley represents the citizens of District 22, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Code Revision Committee and as Secretary of the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee. He also serves on the Game, Fish & Parks and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees.

Representative Mitchell Scoggins represents the citizens of District 14, which includes portions of Bartow and Cherokee counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Chairman of the Special Rules Committee. He also serves on the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Code Revision, Higher Education, Judiciary, Reapportionment and Redistricting and Transportation committees.

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