Dade County Commissioners Address Spending Allegations, Propose Policy Reforms

Chattanooga, TN, October 1, 2026 — The Dade County Board of Commissioners convened to address public concerns regarding alleged improper use of county credit cards by Commissioner Melissa Bradford. Reports indicate that spending included purchases of alcohol, sparking outrage among constituents and leading to calls for accountability.

In response to the allegations and public outcry, the commission is considering a new policy designed to prevent such expenditures in the future. The proposed policy aims to explicitly prohibit the use of county credit cards by spouses of commissioners and to disallow the purchase of alcohol. The specific details and timeline for the policy’s adoption were not immediately available.

The situation involving Commissioner Bradford has escalated beyond commission discussions. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has reportedly launched an investigation into the matter. Additionally, a recall effort targeting Commissioner Bradford has been initiated by residents seeking her removal from office. The outcome of the GBI investigation and the progress of the recall effort remain pending.

During their proceedings, the Dade County Board of Commissioners also took action to establish financial guidelines for official travel. A new policy was put in place setting a per diem limit of $65 for overnight travel expenses. This measure is intended to ensure fiscal responsibility and standard accountability for county officials undertaking travel for official business.

Further details regarding the specific instances of alleged improper spending, the exact scope of the proposed policy reforms, and the status of the GBI investigation were not provided in the summary. The contractor’s name, if applicable, was also not specified.

Story summarized from the original created by Nick Hill on www.wdef.com, see more information here.