Cusseta–Chattahoochee commissioners confront $740,000 budget gap; approve $294,725 in midyear transfers

The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County approved a package of midyear budget transfers on April 1 intended to close funding shortfalls in several departments while holding public hearings later in April to address a broader estimated $740,000 budget gap.

County Manager Thomas Weaver told the board at the April 1 regular meeting and at the subsequent public hearing that the county was “starting at a $740,000.00 deficit and we need to get it down to be balanced.” He cited stronger-than-expected SPLOST receipts and said the county’s ambulance service had generated “over $130,000.00” in revenue but added those receipts alone would not close the gap.

Why it matters: Commissioners approved immediate transfers totaling $294,725 to cover pressing needs while staff and elected officials continue work on longer-term solutions. The transfers, recorded in the April 1 minutes and accompanying resolutions, move reserve funds into operating lines for several departments.

The transfers and key line items recorded in the resolutions include: $275,000 to EMS salaries; $150,000 to legal expenses; $200,000 to the sheriff’s boarding-of-prisoners line; $30,000 to coroner salary; and $6,000 for property-tax reimbursement. The minutes and a budget summary sheet list the same set of line items and show a total amendment of $294,725.

Chairman Charles Coffey framed the choices facing the board as fiscal and political. “If the money isn’t there, the county cannot fund it,” Coffey said, urging commissioners to weigh requests against available revenue. Commissioners voted unanimously on April 1 to approve the proclamation, calendar, tax refund and the budget amendments recorded in the minutes.

The record shows some disputed or inconsistent figures in supporting documents: the Board of Assessors’ letter lists a 2023 refund related to parcel C05 0001 and reports a total refund figure that differs slightly from the motion recorded in the minutes; the board’s minutes record that the tax-refund motion approved a total of $38.31 with a county portion of $12.31. That discrepancy appears in the meeting record and is noted for clarity.

Several elected officials and department heads pressed the board for funding during the budget hearings. Superior Court Clerk Tami Wade asked for a part‑time staffer (estimated at $15,000) and software (about $10,000), saying her office must remain open to meet statutory hours and that she cannot borrow other county employees because of required background checks. Chairman Coffey and other commissioners acknowledged the need but said the county must balance those requests against the larger deficit; the April 14 hearing proceeded without a quorum and no votes were taken that day.

Commissioners discussed possible revenue responses, including a proposed modest increase in the monthly trash fee (a $2 increase that would raise monthly service from $20 to $22) and preparing a mileage-rate analysis. Commissioner Jason Frost said the county may have to consider raising the millage rate if revenue from bills such as HB 581 or other sources does not materialize: “We’re getting to a point where … we are going to have to think about raising taxes,” Frost said during a budget work session.

Next steps: County staff were asked to prepare a list of recommended cuts and a proposed mileage‑rate analysis for upcoming meetings. Items flagged for the May 6 agenda included the proposed trash-rate increase, procurement quotes for a batwing tractor and a resolution to add an authorized signer at a former Bank of Ozark account so leftover funds can be transferred. The board also flagged conditional‑use permit process changes from Planning and Zoning for legal review before future consideration.

The commission’s decisions so far are administrative transfers; larger policy choices about millage, structural staffing, and longer-term budget balancing will require further public hearings and votes.