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Cusseta‑Chattahoochee adopts FY2025 budget, to use reserves to cover remaining shortfall
Summary
After two public hearings and work sessions, the Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County Commission unanimously adopted the FY2025 budget on June 24, approving the use of reserve funds to cover a remaining shortfall of roughly $198,000 and directing departments to justify any later amendments publicly.
Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County commissioners voted unanimously on June 24 to adopt the fiscal year 2025 operating and capital budget after two public hearings and multiple work sessions.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the board the county began the budget cycle with a roughly $2 million gap between department requests and projected revenues and that successive cuts had reduced that shortfall to about $198,000. "We started with a deficit of around $2,000,000.00 and now we are down to 198,000.00," Weaver said, adding the county projects "just shy of 5 million on projected revenues" and that projected expenses total $5,153,475.00.
Chairman Charles Coffey said the remaining gap will be covered from reserves if necessary and reminded departments that the Commission expects explanations for any requests to increase spending. Coffey said there are only two ways to fix a structural shortfall: "either cutting expenses or raising taxes." He told residents the Commission did not want to act hastily and that department heads and constitutional officers should present any amendment requests publicly with supporting detail.
Commissioners and staff described a series of line‑item adjustments and cuts made during work sessions. Commissioner Jason Frost urged creative staffing approaches — suggesting a shared "floater" employee to serve multiple offices — while Commissioner Timothy Biddle praised Weaver for the progress in narrowing the deficit.
The board held an initial public hearing on June 4 and a second hearing on June 24 before adopting the budget in a called meeting later the same day. The motion to adopt the FY2025 budget carried unanimously; the budget covers the county fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.
The Commission directed department heads and constitutional officers to appear before the board if their spending exceeds approved budget lines. Weaver said staff will continue to refine revenues and expenses before the start of the fiscal year.
The county clerk will file the adopted budget as required by state law, and the Commission expects to consider any requested amendments in open session at future meetings.
