Cusseta‑Chattahoochee commissioners adopt FY2025 budget, use reserves to close remaining gap

The Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County adopted its fiscal year 2025 operating and capital budget at a called meeting on June 24, 2024, after two public hearings and work‑session reviews.

County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners at the first hearing on June 4 that initial departmental budget requests left the county “just shy $2,000,000.00 over budget” compared with projected revenues. Weaver said subsequent line‑item reductions brought the gap down to about $621,000 and, by the second hearing on June 24, to roughly $198,000. “We will continue to get this resolved by the end of the fiscal year,” Weaver said, adding he did not want to make additional cuts that “would be necessarily not educated or not thought out.”

Chairman Charles Coffey said the board and staff had identified roughly $300,000 in additional reductions, with the largest savings found in public safety line items and adjustments to the new EMS budget. Coffey told residents the choices to close any remaining shortfall are “either cutting expenses or raising taxes.” He said commissioners expect departments and constitutional officers to appear before the board to explain any budget amendments, so the public can see how money is being spent.

At the called meeting the board voted unanimously to approve the FY2025 budget (motion by Commissioner Timothy Biddle; seconded by Commissioner Gerald Douglas). The minutes show the budget was certified by majority vote at the board’s July 2 regular meeting.

Weaver told commissioners the county’s projected revenues were just under $5 million while total proposed expenses were $5,153,475.00, and he forecast a balanced budget later in the fiscal year after additional adjustments. Several commissioners also urged earlier planning next budget cycle; Weaver said he wants to start the process earlier than the existing 90‑day window.

Public involvement at the hearings was limited. David Smith, a member of the public, questioned comparisons with surrounding counties and urged consideration of federal assistance, a point Weaver acknowledged but said water operations are self‑funded. The board did not alter the budget’s major revenue or spending assumptions during the June 24 called meeting.

The board’s immediate direction on adoption was procedural and fiscal: adopt the FY2025 budget as presented and use reserves to cover the shortfall while tasking staff to pursue further cuts and revenue adjustments. The county also continues to pursue supplemental LMIG funding and other grants to improve the fiscal picture.

The board’s next procedural step is to monitor departmental expenditures and hear any requested amendments in public session; the minutes emphasize that departments must publicly justify amendment requests.

(Reporting based on meeting minutes and public hearings of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County, June 4 and June 24, 2024.)