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Cusseta–Chattahoochee County budget hearings leave $59,000 contingency after insurance spike
Summary
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners on May 6 and May 27 that the draft FY25/26 budget had been reduced but showed a $21,830 shortfall on May 6; after an insurance renewal and broker change, he reported a $59,000 contingency while staff continue to refine figures and plan to fund vehicle and capital needs primarily from SPLOST.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County on May 6 that staff had trimmed the proposed fiscal-year budget but were still showing a deficit of $21,830.
“We have overall reduced the budget, to the part where we have a deficit of 21,830.00,” Weaver said, and provided updated handouts detailing cuts and capital needs including truck replacements and courthouse projects funded or planned under SPLOST.
At a May 27 follow-up work session, Weaver said a health-insurance renewal that showed a proposed 49% increase prompted the county to change brokers and has since produced a revised draft with a $59,000 contingency. “With the news of the insurance we are now at a 59,000.00 contingency,” he said, adding that additional insurer figures could reduce that number further.
Weaver said departments largely maintained or reduced budgets and that SPLOST would be used for special projects and vehicle purchases. He reported ongoing discussions with the sheriff about trading a sheriff’s Black F-150 to public works to help equipment needs and noted that public-works and parks requests would be considered against SPLOST priorities rather than operating funds.
The work session record includes other operational updates: the county asked commercial customers who had not established trash accounts to sign up; the Magnolia Homes subdivision has several homes under construction; public-works staff reported 37 street light fixtures had been repaired by Sumter; and staff expect the Splashpad to open around June 5 pending final inspections and parts availability.
No final budget adoption is recorded in the May 6 or May 27 minutes; Weaver told commissioners he would continue refining figures and provide additional insurer information before formal adoption. The commission set further meetings to finalize the FY25/26 budget and to include a formal adoption on an upcoming agenda.
