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Cusseta–Chattahoochee budget hearings narrow shortfall as insurance spike forces contingency
Summary
Commissioners held May budget hearings that reduced an initial $21,830 shortfall and later identified a $59,000 insurance-related contingency; the board approved equipment purchases and banking-authority updates and tabled a proposed garbage rate increase while staff seeks options.
Cusseta–Chattahoochee County commissioners on May 6 and May 27 moved to shrink a draft budget shortfall and took several related actions while continuing to weigh higher insurance costs and capital needs.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the board at the May 6 public hearing that "we have overall reduced the budget" but the draft still showed "a deficit of $21,830," driven by various cuts. At the final public hearing on May 27, Weaver said new insurance information left the budget with a roughly $59,000 contingency; he said the county has changed insurance brokers and is seeking lower renewal rates after an initial 49% increase was reported.
The budget discussions highlighted capital-outlay items funded by SPLOST, including vehicle replacements and courthouse work. Commissioners discussed whether trading a sheriff’s vehicle — the black F‑150 the manager referenced — could ease public-works needs; Weaver said he would ask the sheriff whether a trade remained possible.
On separate agenda votes, the board acted on several operational items tied to county finances and services. The commission unanimously:
- Approved a proclamation honoring Milton "Wade" Coleman for long service to the community (motion by Commissioner Biddle); - Voted to purchase a batwing tractor with TSPLOST funds, accepting the lower quote from Carson Brothers (motion by Commissioner Biddle); the vendor quote lists a 2023 New Holland Workmaster 95 tractor at $40,681 (freight included, tax-exempt); and - Adopted a resolution authorizing County Manager Thomas Weaver as an additional signer on the Unified Government’s accounts at Ozark Bank (motion by Commissioner Frost).
Commissioners also unanimously voted to table a proposed garbage rate increase while staff researches the cost and feasibility of returning garbage service in-house (motion by Commissioner Frost, seconded by Commissioner Hoyte). County Manager Weaver said staff had sent notices to commercial customers that had not established trash accounts.
The board entered an executive session on May 6; an affidavit in the minutes says the closed session was devoted to consultation with legal counsel on litigation and related matters, confidential tax matters, settlement and property-negotiation authorities, and personnel issues, and that no votes were taken during the closed meeting.
The commission’s work session record lists several items for the June 3 regular meeting, including the formal adoption of the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, road-project bidding for Friendship Road, a Georgia Forestry agreement, and a reappointment to the Board of Assessors. Weaver said staff will continue to refine figures and follow up on insurance and vehicle options before final adoption.
