Cusseta‑Chattahoochee adopts 2024 millage; commissioners approve appointments and administrative actions

The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County adopted its 2024 tax levy on Sept. 3, setting the county’s net millage at 8.512 mills after rollbacks and a total ad valorem tax levy of 25.50 mills, the commission said.

The resolution — introduced and discussed during the regular meeting and printed in the record — lists maintenance and operations millage, rollbacks for local‑option sales tax and insurance premium tax, and a school millage of 16.99. Commissioner Jason Frost moved to adopt the levy; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded and the vote was unanimous among the commissioners present.

Why it matters: The millage rate determines the ad valorem property taxes collected locally and, together with assessed valuations, sets revenue available for county operations and school maintenance in the coming year. The commission’s resolution directs the clerk to transmit a certified copy of the levy to the tax commissioner and to publish the levy as required by law.

Beyond the millage vote, the commission handled several administrative items at the meeting. Commissioners appointed Rob Marion to represent the county on the River Valley Regional Commission; Frost moved and Douglas seconded the appointment, which passed unanimously. The commission also voted to allow businesses to establish accounts at the county recycle center, and approved a VA tax refund request for S5 Anthony Leach. Several agenda items — including a request for the Board of Education to use Old City Hall and a proposal to place a cardboard compactor at the recycle center — were tabled to the next work session.

Procedural notes: Commissioners entered executive session at 9:34 a.m. to discuss personnel and legal matters; they reconvened at 10:11 a.m. Chairman Charles Coffey stated that topics discussed in closed session fell within the legal exceptions to Georgia’s open meetings law and that no votes were taken while closed.

Personnel: The commission amended the agenda after reconvening to allow a vote giving the county manager advice and consent to hire for a director position. The motion to give consent passed unanimously; the county manager was asked to announce the new hire’s name at the next meeting.

What’s next: Items noted for follow‑up at the Oct. 1 meeting include the second reading of the Board of Elections policy, agreements related to Old City Hall, and potential equipment purchases for the recycle center. The clerk is responsible for transmitting the adopted levy to the tax commissioner and publishing notice as required.