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Cusseta–Chattahoochee County managers report narrowed budget gap but face insurance shock
Summary
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners at May public hearings that recent cuts reduced the draft budget but left a $21,830 gap; a later staff update said an insurer-proposed 49% premium increase led the county to change brokers and left roughly $59,000 in contingency while SPLOST will cover some vehicle and capital needs.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County’s commission during a May 6 public hearing that staff had reduced the draft fiscal plan but still faced “a deficit of 21,830.00,” and that further adjustments would be made before final adoption.
The statement came as Weaver distributed updated budget handouts and reviewed capital-outlay needs tied to the 2020 SPLOST program, including vehicle replacements and courthouse projects. He said some department budgets were reduced or held flat and that SPLOST would be used for larger equipment and project purchases when possible.
At a May 27 work session Weaver said recent information from the county’s insurer indicated a proposed premium increase of about 49 percent. “We would be increasing by 49% this year,” Weaver said, and the county subsequently changed insurance brokers to seek lower rates. With insurance estimates incorporated into the latest draft, Weaver reported about $59,000 in contingency.
Weaver also described administrative efforts to contain costs: seeking bids or using SPLOST for vehicle replacements, requesting the sheriff consider trading a vehicle to public works, and asking departments to prioritize projects. He reported operational updates including completed downtown street‑lighting repairs and an expected splashpad opening around June 5.
Commissioners did not take a final vote to adopt the fiscal 2025–26 budget during the May hearings; Weaver said a final adoption item would be placed on a subsequent regular meeting agenda after staff completes follow-up work and receives remaining insurance figures.
Why it matters: the size of the insurance increase and the remaining gap affect the county’s contingency, service levels and the timing of vehicle and capital repairs. Commissioners instructed staff to pursue additional cost information and to present a final budget for approval at an upcoming meeting.
What’s next: staff will finalize insurance numbers and follow up on SPLOST-funded equipment needs; adoption of the fiscal 2025–26 budget was listed for placement on the June 3 regular agenda.
