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Cusseta‑Chattahoochee Commission adopts FY2026 budget, OKs forestry deal and road bid
Summary
At its June 3 meeting the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved a Georgia Forestry Commission fire‑tower agreement (not to exceed $4,738.58), authorized Friendship Road to be put out to bid and reappointed Carol Greer to the Board of Tax Assessors. Several votes were unanimous.
The Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County Board of Commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 operating and capital budget at its regular meeting on June 3 in Cusseta. Commissioner Jason Frost moved to approve the budget and Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded; the roll call was unanimous among those present.
The budget adoption comes as staff noted pending income‑line adjustments and a possible mileage‑rate increase of one to two mills. The budget document adopted by the commission covers the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and had been subject to two public hearings in April.
In related business the board approved an agreement with the Georgia Forestry Commission to provide a fire‑tower operator and associated services for Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County for a contract period effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The agreement caps the county’s payment at $4,738.58. Commissioner Jason Frost moved to approve the agreement; Vice‑Chairman Timothy Biddle seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. County Attorney Bin Minter told the board the updated legislation affecting FLOST and related rules would require the county to estimate a rollback rate and prepare a resolution for a potential special election, saying, “The money from FLOST is only for property tax relief.”
The board also authorized Friendship Road to be put out to bid for resurfacing, including a single surface coat and striping. County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners bids are expected to open in late July and an award could be possible in August. "We should have bids open late July," he said; the motion to advertise the work was approved unanimously.
Other formal actions included the reappointment of Carol Greer to Post 3 of the Board of Tax Assessors for a four‑year term beginning June 1, 2025 (motion by Commissioner Gerald Douglas, seconded by Vice‑Chair Biddle), and approval of a conditional‑use permit for 410 Firetower Road (Spillers) to site a manufactured home on a 15.13‑acre parcel (motion by Commissioner Douglas, seconded by Commissioner Frost). Both motions carried unanimously. Chairman Charles Coffey noted that adjacent land held in trust is not expected to be developed, a point he said commissioners consider when weighing residential use on nearby parcels.
On a procedural matter the board amended the agenda to declare a 2008 Massey Ferguson tractor surplus and to authorize trading it to Carlson Brothers toward the purchase price of a New Holland tractor for $10,000. The amendment and the subsequent approval of the trade were carried by unanimous vote.
The commission entered executive session at 6:45 p.m. to discuss matters permitted under the Open Meetings Act and reconvened at 7:04 p.m.; Chairman Coffey stated that the topics discussed were within the legal exceptions and that no votes were taken during the closed session.
What’s next: the commission’s work session on June 23 identified items to appear on the July 1 agenda, including a resolution to place a FLOST sales‑tax question on the ballot and an appointment of Sheila Wilson to the Board of Assessors. Staff said they will bring back any necessary resolutions and supporting materials ahead of that meeting.
