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Resident complains of $260 court fine and 911‑address mismatch; department heads report updates at Sept. 23 work session
Summary
At a Sept. 23 work session a resident told the commission she had been fined $260 and said she did not receive a warning because of a 911 address error; staff said the commission cannot alter judicial fines but will investigate the address and billing issues. Department heads reported on recreation, community development, animal control and road repairs.
At the Sept. 23 work session of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County, resident Christine Richards told commissioners she had been charged $260 in court and said she did not receive any warning notice. Richards also said her 911 address had been recorded as 145 rather than her actual address of 140 and asked where the money had gone.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told Richards that the commission cannot change fines imposed by judges but said staff would look into the 911 sign and address, and would check on her water‑billing concerns. Chairman Charles Coffey and Commissioner Damon Hoyte asked clarifying questions; Richards said the matter was especially difficult because she is on a fixed income.
Department and operational updates followed. Mordie Askew (recreation) reported that soccer registration has opened and that staff is coordinating with the water department to locate field valves. Samantha Hedgecoke (community development) previewed an October newsletter and code‑enforcement updates. Lou Beck reported outreach events including a job fair at Fort Moore and work on a tire grant; Scott Carswell has taken over animal‑control duties; Tom Bickel said crews repaired a washed‑out pipe and road shoulder on Riverbend Road after heavy rain and that equipment assessments and staff training are under way.
County Manager Weaver also read a list of items being prepared for the Oct. 1 regular meeting, including the Board of Education request to use Old City Hall (possible vote if an agreement is ready), possible cardboard‑compactor agreement, reappointments to the tax assessor board, the Board of Elections first reading, vehicle purchases for EMA and sheriff, naming Paul Rakel/SowEga as the county’s engineer of record, cemetery bylaws, and a proposed rescheduling of the November meeting to Nov. 12 because Election Day falls on the usual meeting date.
Why it matters: the public comment raises questions about notice and municipal coordination (911 signage and billing) and department updates preview action items that could appear on the Oct. 1 agenda.
