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Cusseta–Chattahoochee County adopts FY2025 budget after hearings; commissioners authorize use of reserves
Summary
After two public hearings and work sessions, the Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Commission approved the FY2025 operating and capital budget on June 24, 2024, citing use of reserves to close a remaining gap while staff continues line‑item reductions.
The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County on June 24 adopted the fiscal year 2025 operating and capital budget, approving a measure the board said will rely in part on reserve funds to balance a remaining shortfall.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the board at a public hearing that initial budget requests left the county about $2 million short of projected revenues. "After several line‑item adjustments and cuts we are currently about $621,000 off," Weaver said during the June 4 hearing, and later reported on June 24 that the deficit had been further reduced to roughly $198,000. Weaver said staff would continue adjustments but recommended the commission pass a budget now by drawing on reserves so county operations can move forward.
Chairman Charles Coffey praised Weaver’s work on reductions but stressed accountability for future overages. Coffey told residents the choice to close the remaining gap is a practical one: "If we are going to have to start going into the reserve to balance the budget there are two fixes to it, either cutting expenses or raising taxes," he said, adding that departments must come before the commission to request amendments and explain the need.
Commissioner Timothy Biddle made the motion to approve the FY2025 budget at the called meeting June 24; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Present commissioners who voted in favor were Charles Coffey, Timothy Biddle, Gerald Douglas and Damon Hoyte; Jason Frost was recorded absent at the time of the called meeting. The board approved the accompanying budget resolution that certifies two public hearings were held (June 4 and June 24, 2024).
Public comment at the June 4 hearing included resident David Smith, who asked about neighboring counties and suggested seeking additional federal support. Weaver responded that some services, such as water, have their own funding sources and that intergovernmental service agreements (IGSAs) will be considered as part of long‑term revenue planning.
The commission and staff emphasized that passage using reserves is a temporary measure while continued budget work aims to close the structural gap. The board directed departments and constitutional officers to present any budget amendments with clear explanations for public record.
The adopted FY2025 budget becomes effective July 1, 2024.
