The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners opted to take its final vote Tuesday night on this year's budget later this month.

The board conducted a public hearing during the meeting on the proposed 2010 budget of $192.6 million. No one spoke at the hearing.

The vote to approve the budget is set for the board's meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the county Administrative Building.

The budget is an increase from the 2009 total of $168.8 million because of the addition of the new parks bond budget.

The total is based on the unchanged millage rate of 7.123 mills, which the board set last year.

Also on Tuesday, the board selected Commissioner Harry Johnston as its 2010 vice chairman.

During its work session, the board heard a presentation by Gay Grooms, artistic director of the Towne Lake Arts Center, and Ann Litrel, owner of Ann Litrel Art gallery and studio in downtown Woodstock.

They spoke about the proposed Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, which would transform the historic Reeves home in downtown Woodstock into a visual arts center and theater.

The board took no action on the proposal.

The board also met in executive session to talk about personnel and litigation, but took no action upon returning to open session.

The Cherokee County Planning Commission heard four cases during its meeting on Tuesday night.

The commission recommended approval of a request by Dana Stewart to rezone 38 acres at 1260 and 1282 Chattin Drive in the Univeter community from R-80 single-family residential to agricultural for a horse boarding facility.

The commission recommended approval of a request by Jason Nix to rezone 30 acres on Sugar Pike Road near Batesville Road near Hickory Flat be from R-80 single family residential to agricultural for a proposed pumpkin farm.

The commission recommended approval of a request by Theron Knight Jr. and Judy Trinkle to rezone 4.5 acres at 1331 and 1341 Toonigh Road in Toonigh from R-80 single-family residential to a less dense R-40 single-family residential for two existing houses.

The board of commissioners will consider the recommendations at its Jan. 19 meeting.

The commission recommended approval of a request by HCR Properties to rezone 13.875 acres on Cartersville Street in the City of Ball Ground from R-20 single-family conservation to residential zero-lot line for a 33-house neighborhood.

This Ball Ground City Council will consider the recommendation at its Jan. 14 meeting.

The request by Dean Woodall for 55.6 acres on Highway 20 between Ficklen Church Way and Upper Sweetwater Trail in west Cherokee be rezoned from agricultural to general commercial for unspecified commercial uses has been postponed.