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Cusseta–Chattahoochee faces roughly $740,000 budget shortfall; commissioners debate possibility of raising millage
Summary
At a series of April public hearings county staff reported a roughly $740,000 shortfall in the proposed budget. Commissioners discussed options including spending cuts, a potential millage increase and waiting for HB581 sales-tax revenue, while the Superior Court Clerk urged an immediate hire for staffing needs.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners and members of the public during April budget hearings that the proposed FY2025 spending plan begins with an estimated $740,000 shortfall and will require cuts or new revenue to balance. He said new SPLOST receipts and about $130,000 in ambulance revenue have helped but are not sufficient to close the gap.
The shortfall prompted several commissioners to discuss the politically sensitive option of increasing the county’s millage (property tax) rate. Commissioner Jason Frost told colleagues the county must face the “elephant in the room” and consider raising the rate to maintain services, pointing to rising personnel and insurance costs.
At the same hearings Superior Court Clerk Tami Wade asked the commission for $15,000 in recurring funds to hire a roughly 20-hour-per-week employee so she can keep the clerk’s office open during training and jury sessions. Wade said she historically staffed the office with three people and cannot borrow staff from other offices because of required background checks; she warned that without added staff the office will struggle to meet statutory requirements.
Chairman Charles Coffey and other commissioners acknowledged the urgency of some requests but said the board needs a realistic revenue plan. Coffey noted that HB581—legislation that would change local sales-tax options—could help if voters approve it, but any revenue from that source would not be available until approximately a year after a successful vote.
Why this matters: A structural deficit of this size can force reductions in county services or require tax increases. Local officials must weigh difficult trade-offs between staffing for essential functions (EMS, court operations) and the county’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
What officials said: • County Manager Thomas Weaver: the proposed budget is currently about $740,000 in deficit and cuts/choices are required. (SEG 014) • Commissioner Jason Frost: urged consideration of raising the millage rate to avoid deeper cuts. (SEG 027) • Superior Court Clerk Tami Wade: requested $15,000 for part-time staffing, saying she cannot keep the office running lawfully without additional help. (SEG 017)
Next steps: County Manager Weaver will prepare a report with proposed cuts and a revised budget schedule for upcoming meetings. Commissioners signaled they want options on the table, including revenue increases and program reductions, before final votes.
Attribution: Sourced from public remarks and minutes recorded at the Unified Government’s April 1, April 14 and April 28 budget hearings and work sessions.
