Cusseta‑Chattahoochee commissioners confront $740,000 budget gap, approve $294,725 in FY2024 amendments

The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County approved several FY2024 budget amendments and heard public and staff testimony about a multiyear budget shortfall.

At the April 1 regular meeting commissioners unanimously approved an itemized package of amendments the minutes list as totaling $294,725, covering line items including property tax reimbursement, coroner salary adjustments, legal expenses, EMS salaries and boarding of prisoners. "We are starting at a $740,000.00 deficit," County Manager Thomas Weaver told the commission during the budget public hearing, citing recent ambulance revenue (about $130,000 to date) and expected SPLOST receipts as partial but insufficient offsets.

The board approved the National Donate Life proclamation, set the budget hearing calendar, and approved a tax refund for Tracy Chiodo during the same meeting; recorded motions were moved and seconded as reflected in the minutes and each vote is recorded as unanimous. The minutes include an assessor letter and refund documentation attached to the packet; the minutes record the refund total as $38.31 with a county portion of $12.31, while an assessor attachment in the packet records detailed valuation changes and lists a slightly different final figure in its reconciliation (see clarifying details). The commission record shows the motion to approve the Chiodo refund was made by Commissioner Damon Hoyte and seconded by Commissioner Timothy Biddle.

Commissioners and staff laid out several avenues for narrowing the gap. Weaver said some capital requests can be covered by SPLOST — for example sheriff’s vehicle capital needs — but other operating costs are harder to absorb. The minutes note a set of line‑item resolutions transferring reserve funds into operating or salary accounts tied to O.C.G.A. § 36‑81‑3(d)(1), with specific transfer amounts recorded in the resolution text.

During subsequent budget hearings commissioners discussed additional cost drivers and options. Superior Court Clerk Tami Wade asked for a $15,000 part‑time position and $10,000 for court software to keep her office open on court days; Chairman Charles Coffey and other commissioners said they understand the need but emphasized the commission must balance funding across all constitutional offices and departments. "If the money isn't there the county cannot fund it," Coffey said during the April 14 session. Wade told the commission she had waited two years for help.

Several commissioners expressed concern that continued use of reserves is unsustainable and that the county may need to raise the millage rate if new revenue, including any benefit from state legislation (HB 581), does not materialize. Commissioner Jason Frost said raising the rate was an unpleasant but realistic option. Weaver estimated that a modest increase in the millage would not, by itself, close the entire gap and said a change of several mills would be needed to make the budget whole.

The minutes and work session records show staff also recommended a $2 monthly increase to the county trash fee — bringing the fee from $20 to $22 per month — as a partial step to reduce the operating shortfall in solid waste services; the board directed staff to include that proposal on a future work session agenda for further review.

The commission also held an executive session April 28 to discuss personnel and legal matters; the minutes include an affidavit describing the session and confirm minutes were taken for in‑camera inspection only.

Next steps recorded in the minutes include more detailed cuts and reconciliations to be presented at the next regular meeting and continued public hearings; commissioners instructed the county manager to produce an updated budget book showing specific recommended reductions and to present options to the board before any decision to raise taxes.