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Cusseta–Chattahoochee officials cite insurance-driven budget pressures, say SPLOST will cover capital needs
Summary
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners at May public hearings that cuts reduced the budget gap to about $21,830 in early May but that insurance developments pushed a later contingency to about $59,000; staff said vehicle replacements and courthouse work will be funded from SPLOST and final adoption is expected at the next meeting.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County during budget public hearings in May that preliminary cuts had narrowed a shortfall to about $21,830 but subsequent insurance developments raised contingency needs.
"we have overall reduced the budget, to the part where we have a deficit of 21,830.00," Weaver said at the May 6 hearing. At the May 27 final hearing, he added that "with the news of the insurance we are now at a 59,000.00 contingency" and that the administration is awaiting additional figures from the insurer.
Weaver and commissioners said SPLOST (special-purpose local-option sales tax) funds remain the preferred source for capital outlays, including planned courthouse projects and replacement vehicles. Weaver told the commission he has discussed trading a sheriff's vehicle to bolster the public-works fleet; the chair asked the sheriff's office about a potential trade and Weaver said he would follow up.
Weaver also reported that the county has begun talks with a new insurance broker after receiving notice of a large increase from the prior carrier. At the May 27 work session he said the county's prior broker indicated a proposed increase of roughly 49 percent and the county had switched brokers to pursue lower rates.
No members of the public spoke during the May 6 or May 27 budget hearings. Commissioners set final budget adoption as a voting item on an upcoming regular meeting agenda and invited further questions from the commission as staff firm up insurance and claim figures.
The commission did not adopt the final budget during the May hearings; Weaver told commissioners he expects to return with updated numbers to allow a formal adoption vote at the next regular meeting.
