Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cusseta–Chattahoochee County adopts FY2025 budget after hearings as managers warn reserves will be used
Summary
After two public hearings the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County unanimously adopted its fiscal‑year 2025 budget. County leaders said the budget closes a multi‑step deficit and will use reserves if needed while departments must justify future amendments.
The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County adopted its fiscal‑year 2025 operating and capital budget at a called meeting on June 24, 2024, following two public hearings earlier that month.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners that when department budget requests were first submitted the county faced about a $2.0 million shortfall. After successive line‑item adjustments the gap narrowed to roughly $621,000, and, by the second public hearing, to about $198,000. Weaver said the county projects approximately $5.0 million in revenues against about $5,153,475 in projected expenses and recommended using reserves to balance the budget rather than making additional unplanned cuts immediately.
"It will take some time and effort to get it balanced," Weaver said, adding that more changes may be needed and that staff should begin working on budgets earlier in the year. Chairman Charles Coffey commended Weaver’s work and told the public that if the commission must draw on reserves the only practical fixes are further expense cuts or higher taxes. "When these departments need an amendment, they need to start coming and explaining why they need one," Coffey said.
Commissioners discussed specific high‑cost areas, with Coffey noting Public Safety and the newly formed EMS as major budget drivers. Commissioner Jason Frost suggested exploring cross‑training or a floating staff position to reduce staffing costs across departments.
After the called meeting on June 24, the commission voted unanimously to approve the FY2025 budget. Commissioner Timothy Biddle made the motion to approve; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded. The motion passed with the four present commissioners voting yes and one commissioner absent.
The county announced it will require departments and constitutional officers to present and justify any budget amendments publicly. County officials said they will continue revisions and expect to reach a longer‑term balanced position during the fiscal year.
