Cusseta–Chattahoochee commissioners reappoint tax assessors, approve appointments and table several agenda items

Charles Coffey, chairman of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Board of Commissioners, presided over a regular meeting on Oct. 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The commission voted unanimously on several administrative items, tabled multiple agenda items for further review, and entered executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters.

The commission approved reappointments to the Board of Tax Assessors. The resolution recorded the reappointment of James Wiehe to Post 5 for a term expiring Dec. 1, 2028; the commission also approved the reappointment of Ken Vanhorn. Both motions passed unanimously.

The commission approved a refund for Beverly Riley (S5) and appointed County Manager Thomas Weaver to represent the county on the Two Rivers Regional Commission for a term ending Dec. 31, 2025. Commissioners also approved purchase of one vehicle for Board of Commissioners use, while tabling two other vehicle purchases for the sheriff and EMA until December pending SPLOST results.

Several items were tabled for later consideration: the Board of Education request to use Old City Hall, a cardboard compactor for the recycling center, a proposed election-ordinance change pending required advertisement, designation of a county engineer of record, and cemetery bylaws pending committee review. The board unanimously approved rescheduling the November regular meeting to Nov. 12 at 9:00 a.m.

County Attorney Bin Minter notified the board that the county is a party to pending court matters, and referenced a civil suit on file (the amount stated in the meeting record as $5 million). The commission entered executive session at 6:57 p.m. to discuss legal and personnel matters and reconvened at 7:44 p.m.; Chairman Coffey stated the closed-session topics were within legal exceptions and no votes were taken in closed session. Attorney Minter later clarified there are two pending matters on file in Superior Court, including an appeal from magistrate-court decision (Case 23-CV-0257).

Votes at a glance

- Reappoint James Wiehe to Post 5, Board of Tax Assessors — approved (unanimous). - Reappoint Ken Vanhorn to Board of Tax Assessors — approved (unanimous). - Appoint Thomas Weaver to Two Rivers Regional Commission — approved (unanimous). - Beverly Riley refund (S5) — approved (unanimous). - Approve one vehicle purchase for Board of Commissioners (hold pricing with credit); table sheriff/EMA vehicles — approved (unanimous). - Table Board of Education request to use Old City Hall — tabled (unanimous). - Table cardboard compactor at recycling center — tabled (unanimous). - Table election-ordinance second reading for advertising — tabled (unanimous). - Table engineer-of-record designation and cemetery bylaws for committee review — tabled (unanimous).

Why it matters

The reappointments keep continuity in local tax-assessment oversight, and the appointment to the Two Rivers Regional Commission ensures county representation in the regional planning body. Several tablings indicate the commission is seeking more review/advertising or coordination (for example, public notice for election-ordinance changes and cemetery bylaw options). The referenced litigation and the executive-session discussion are notable administrative matters that the commission confined to closed session under state open-meetings exceptions.

What’s next

The board will address tabled items at upcoming work sessions and the rescheduled Nov. 12 regular meeting. Where an ordinance requires public advertisement or a second reading, the county will follow statutory notice requirements before taking a final vote.