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Cusseta–Chattahoochee Commission hears budget shortfall, insurance spike raises contingency
Summary
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners the draft FY2025–26 budget still showed a $21,830 deficit on May 6 and, after a later insurance update, contingency grew to about $59,000; commissioners discussed SPLOST-funded capital projects and possible vehicle trades with the sheriff’s office.
The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County took public comment and received budget updates at hearings on May 6 and May 27 as officials worked toward a final FY2025–26 proposal.
County Manager Thomas Weaver said on May 6 that “we have overall reduced the budget, to the part where we have a deficit of 21,830.00,” and provided updated handouts showing cuts and remaining gaps. Weaver told commissioners the 2020 SPLOST and capital-outlay lists include vehicle replacements and courthouse work and said SPLOST remains the preferred source for one‑time capital items.
At the May 27 final hearing Weaver said a newly reported insurance figure increased the contingency to about $59,000. “With the news of the insurance we are now at a 59,000.00 contingency,” Weaver said, and added the county had changed brokers in hopes of a lower renewal after the initial notice showed a roughly 49% increase.
Commissioners discussed options to reduce costs, including trading a sheriff’s vehicle to public works; Weaver said he would ask the sheriff whether a Black F‑150 was still available for trade. Commissioners asked departmental directors for budget alternatives; Weaver said he had met with several directors and with the sheriff in recent weeks.
No members of the public addressed the budget at either hearing. The commission scheduled the final adoption of the budget for a subsequent regular meeting; Weaver and staff said additional insurance and vendor numbers could further alter the contingency before adoption.
The hearings produced no formal budget adoption vote on May 6 or May 27; motions recorded at those meetings covered routine items and adjournment.
