Cusseta–Chattahoochee County approves elections ordinance, leases, reappointments and equipment purchases

The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 12 approved several administrative and policy items, including a second-reading ordinance to add a Board of Elections and Registration to the county charter in response to state law, the use of Old City Hall by the Chattahoochee County Board of Education, equipment purchases for emergency management and two reappointments to the Industrial Development Authority.

The commission voted unanimously on each item recorded in the minutes. Commissioner Jason Frost moved to approve the Board of Elections ordinance on second reading; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The ordinance text in the meeting packet (Ordinance No. 2024-A, Exhibit A) adds a chapter to the county charter establishing a three-member board, staggered terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025, an elections supervisor and duties consistent with O.C.G.A. § 21-2-40.1.

Other approvals recorded in the minutes included: a motion by Commissioner Damon Hoyte (seconded by Commissioner Timothy Biddle) to allow the Chattahoochee County Board of Education to use Old City Hall (approved); a motion by Commissioner Biddle (seconded by Commissioner Frost) to purchase a truck for Emergency Management (approved); and motions to reappoint Mattye Kinney and Gene Burgamy to five-year terms on the Industrial Development Authority (both approved). The minutes also record that the Cemetery Bylaws item was tabled to the Dec. 3 meeting.

The meeting packet includes a Commercial Lease Agreement dated Sept. 2, 2024 between the Unified Government (lessor) and the Chattahoochee County Board of Education (lessee). The lease text lists a base annual payment of $3,600 (described in the document as reflecting average annual utilities) and a lease term scheduled to begin Dec. 30, 2025, unless renewed earlier. The lease is described as a gross lease with the lessor responsible for major systems and exterior upkeep; the minutes show the commission approved the Board of Education using Old City Hall but do not record final execution details.

At a Nov. 25 work session the county manager recommended three nominees be added to the Dec. 3 agenda as prospective members of the newly created Board of Elections (Nancy Hoard, Valerie Lassiter and Crystal Walker). Meeting discussion noted the Board of Elections appointments are staggered, that training would be required before elections and that compensation (if any) is to be set by the commission. The minutes reflect the commission must complete appointments before Jan. 1, 2025 to comply with the statute cited in the ordinance.

Votes at a glance: - Board of Elections ordinance (second reading): motion by Commissioner Frost, seconded by Commissioner Douglas — unanimous approval - Board of Education use of Old City Hall: motion by Commissioner Hoyte, seconded by Commissioner Biddle — unanimous approval - Purchase of EMA truck: motion by Commissioner Biddle, seconded by Commissioner Frost — unanimous approval - Reappoint Mattye Kinney to IDA: motion by Commissioner Biddle, seconded by Commissioner Frost — unanimous approval - Reappoint Gene Burgamy to IDA: motion by Commissioner Hoyte, seconded by Commissioner Biddle — unanimous approval - Cemetery Bylaws: motion to table to Dec. 3 by Commissioner Frost — approved (tabled)

What this means: The ordinance implements state-directed changes (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-40.1) by creating a county elections board and an elections supervisor position; the county must appoint members and stand up the office by Jan. 1, 2025 unless it opts out. The lease in the packet sets a nominal base rent and places maintenance responsibility with the lessor; the minutes record approval for use but do not show final execution details or payments. The commission entered executive session later in the meeting to discuss legal matters and reconvened without recorded votes taken in closed session.