Cusseta‑Chattahoochee board approves fire‑tower agreement, reappointments and grant acceptances

At its June 4 regular meeting and June 24 work sessions, the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County approved a series of administrative agreements and appointments, including a fire‑tower services agreement with the Georgia Forestry Commission and reappointments to the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Transportation Authority.

The commission adopted a resolution authorizing a Fire Tower Agreement that runs July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. The contract specifies the county’s payment for temporary fire‑tower operator assistance will not exceed $4,738.58 for the contract period; the Forestry Commission will bill the county at the end of the contract period. The agreement also describes operator status (temporary day laborer) and the expectation that local residents will be used when possible.

The board also passed resolutions reappointing Commissioner Timothy Biddle to the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Transportation Authority (term through June 30, 2028) and reappointing Commissioner Gerald Douglas through June 30, 2026. Both reappointments were adopted by unanimous vote and recorded in formal resolutions.

Other administrative votes included unanimous approval of an employee insurance renewal and acceptance of a Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) payment of $155,000 with a pending supplemental application. County Manager Thomas Weaver said the combined LMIG funding and supplement would total about $350,000–$355,000 (figures varied in meeting remarks) and that the county had received the initial $155,000 check.

Commissioners also approved accepting a GA Hwy 520 roundabout grant that carries a local match requirement: Weaver said the project involves utility relocation costs that are a 40/60 state/local match and that the county’s exposure for utility moves would not exceed $52,000 if costs are higher or the project comes in under budget. The board discussed potential savings from selling compacted cardboard and options to replace or repair a cardboard compactor as part of solid‑waste considerations discussed in a June 24 work session; the solid waste contract award was set for future agenda action with three bids listed (GFL, Jones Sanitation, Zero Waste).

All motions recorded for these items passed unanimously. The board instructed staff to bring amendment requests and clarifications to the commission for public explanation before funds are committed or reallocated.

The fire‑tower agreement and the LRCTA reappointments were memorialized in signed resolutions and contract documents filed with the meeting minutes.