Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cusseta–Chattahoochee officials report smaller deficit but warn of insurance spike as budget process continues
Summary
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners the FY2025–26 budget shows a remaining deficit of $21,830 but an updated insurance estimate has improved contingency to about $59,000; commissioners approved several routine actions and tabled a proposed garbage-rate increase while exploring in‑house options.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Commission during May public hearings that the FY2025–26 budget has been pared back but still shows a $21,830 shortfall. "We have overall reduced the budget, to the part where we have a deficit of 21,830.00," Weaver said at the May 6 public hearing.
Weaver later said new insurance information has widened the county’s contingency. At the May 27 final budget public hearing he reported the county now has roughly a $59,000 contingency after updated insurance figures, while cautioning additional insurance numbers could change that amount.
Why it matters: the Commission must adopt a balanced budget for FY2025–26; the contingency and insurance projections will affect whether departments must absorb further reductions or whether capital needs must rely on SPLOST funds.
Weaver said departments mostly saw flat or reduced requests and that many vehicle or project needs are expected to be covered with SPLOST funding. He also confirmed discussions about trading a sheriff’s Department vehicle to Public Works to help that department meet fleet needs. "If we traded and got a truck from the sheriff dept would that help public works," Chairman Charles Coffey asked; Weaver said yes and that he would reach out to the sheriff about the possibility.
Commission action and procurement: At the May 6 meeting the Commission approved several routine and budget‑adjacent items by unanimous vote. Commissioners approved a proclamation honoring the late Milton "Wade" Coleman; adopted a resolution adding County Manager Thomas Weaver as an authorized signer on Ozark Bank accounts; and accepted a vendor quote to purchase a batwing tractor using TSPLOST funds. Commissioner Timothy Biddle moved to accept the lower Carson Brothers quote for a tractor; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The vendor proposal in the record lists a 2023 New Holland Workmaster 95 priced at $40,681 (tax exempt; freight included).
Trash rate decision deferred: Commissioners also tabled a proposal to raise residential garbage rates while staff completes a cost study on bringing garbage collection back in‑house. "Motion to table until we do further research on the cost to see how much it would be to bring garbage back in house," Commissioner Jason Frost moved; the motion passed unanimously.
Staff operational updates: During a May 27 work session Weaver reported the county’s health insurance broker had notified the county of a 49% increase in costs; the county has since changed brokers and said the new broker is negotiating options to reduce the increase. Weaver also reported operational items: letters sent to delinquent commercial trash accounts, ongoing construction at Magnolia Homes (several homes framed), public-works repairs to 37 municipal light fixtures (Sumter replaced fixtures), a splashpad targeted to open by June 5, and gym-floor replacement planned around June 16.
What’s next: County staff told commissioners they would continue to refine budget numbers and insurance quotes. The Commission will consider final budget adoption at a future regular meeting once updated figures are complete. The minutes show the May public hearings and work sessions were adjourned without additional votes on the overall budget at those hearings.
