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Cusseta‑Chattahoochee officials weigh tax hike as $740,000 shortfall looms
Summary
County officials said the proposed FY2025 budget begins with about a $740,000 deficit; leaders discussed deeper cuts, a possible millage increase and smaller options such as a $2 monthly trash‑fee hike while awaiting SPLOST and potential state revenue from HB581.
The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County reviewed a proposed budget that County Manager Thomas Weaver said ‘‘we are starting at a $740,000.00 deficit and we need to get it down to be balanced.’’ The commission held three budget hearings in April and heard from department heads and elected officials about needs and shortfalls.
Weaver told the board the county’s new SPLOST receipts and the recently launched ambulance service — ‘‘the ambulance since we started has brought in over $130,000.00’’ — are helping revenue but are not sufficient to eliminate the gap. Commissioners discussed options including spending cuts, drawing reserves and raising tax or fee revenue.
Commissioner Jason Frost and other members pressed for realistic, early planning. Frost said the commission may need to consider a mileage‑rate increase after repeatedly approving budgets with deficits. Manager Weaver cautioned that a modest increase would not close the gap: he estimated a large change in the millage rate would be required to erase the shortfall, and noted state legislation (HB581) that could help if approved but would not deliver revenue immediately.
Officials also discussed smaller, more immediate revenue options. Manager Weaver recommended raising the monthly residential garbage fee by $2 (from $20 to $22) to help cover landfill and collection cost increases; commissioners directed staff to add that item to a work‑session agenda for more analysis.
Chairman Charles Coffey said commissioners must balance competing requests from constitutional officers and department heads and be transparent with the public about the fiscal tradeoffs. Coffey warned of political fallout from tax increases, saying "we could have a riot on the streets if we raise taxes." He asked elected officials to propose concrete savings where possible as the board prepares final budget decisions.
Next steps: staff will produce a revised budget book with recommended cuts and revenue options for the commission’s next meeting; the commission earlier set formal budget‑hearing dates and will keep public hearings open as it considers adjustments.
