Cusseta‑Chattahoochee commissioners approve cemetery ordinance, local construction contracts and reappoint RVRC member

The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County unanimously approved a suite of local contracts and adopted a new ordinance governing public cemeteries during its regular meeting on Oct. 7, 2025.

The measures approved include authorizing bids for resurfacing of Riverbend Road and Liberty Hill Road; awarding the Riverbend fishing‑dock contract to the only bidder, Wahoo Dock; contracting for a concrete slab and building for a storage structure at 215 McNaughton St.; selecting Chattahoochee Concrete as the low bidder for a City Hall welcome‑center refurbishment; and adding kennel runs to the Cusseta Dog Pound with concrete by Rock Solid Construction, fencing by United Fencing and the building by McGuire Buildings. All motions carried by unanimous vote, with movers and seconders recorded in the minutes.

Why it matters: the projects use local contractors and a mix of county funds (including SPLOST in some cases) and are intended to address public‑works needs, facility maintenance and recreation access. Together they represent near‑term capital and operations decisions that affect road surfaces, public buildings and recreational infrastructure.

Key contract and ordinance actions

- Paving (put out to bid): Commission authorized placing Riverbend Road and Liberty Hill Road out to bid (motion by Commissioner Timothy Biddle; seconded by Commissioner Jason Frost). The motion passed unanimously.

- Cemetery ordinance (Ordinance No. 2025‑1): The Commission approved new code language to regulate the Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County Harmony Public Cemetery, designating the County Manager as superintendent of cemeteries, establishing definitions and rules on interments, markers and maintenance, and authorizing fines and civil enforcement for violations. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Damon Hoyte and seconded by Commissioner Gerald Douglas and carried unanimously. The ordinance text (draft language adopted as Exhibit A in the minutes) specifies permitting, sale/transfer mechanics for lots, required materials for markers, rules for decorations and fines up to $500 per violation.

- Riverbend fishing dock: The Commission approved the only bid for the Riverbend fishing dock from Wahoo Dock (motion by Commissioner Biddle; seconded by Commissioner Frost). The minutes note the county is awaiting Corps of Engineers approval before construction begins.

- 215 McNaughton St. storage building and City Hall welcome center: The Commission approved the concrete slab contractor (Chattahoochee Concrete) and the building contractor (North Carolina Carports) for the 215 McNaughton storage project, and accepted Chattahoochee Concrete’s lower bid for refurbishing the remaining portion of City Hall not covered in the original remodel (motion by Commissioner Frost; seconded by Commissioner Douglas). Votes were unanimous.

- Cusseta Dog Pound kennel additions: The Commission approved adding kennel runs (concrete: Rock Solid Construction; fencing: United Fencing; building: McGuire Buildings) by unanimous vote (motion by Commissioner Frost; seconded by Commissioner Biddle).

- Surplus buildings: The Commission voted unanimously to declare two county buildings surplus—one on King Street and the old Fire Station on Fire Tower Road—with an intent to preserve the existing slab at the old Fire Station for possible future reuse.

- RVRC appointment: The Commission unanimously reappointed Rob Marion to the River Valley Regional Commission for a term beginning Oct. 7, 2025 and expiring Oct. 7, 2027.

Budget and schedule notes

County Manager Thomas Weaver advised that resurfacing of Friendship Road is scheduled to begin Dec. 1 with a preconstruction meeting held Oct. 1 and an estimated cost of $106,000; staff aim to repair rough spots on Manta Road before paving. Weaver also reported that the 2022 financial audit is complete and auditors will begin 2023 soon.

Trash service and rate change

Weaver told commissioners that vendor GFL increased residential collection rates by $2.00 and set $14.00 per month for an extra container. He said the county will pass the increase through to residents on January water bills and that the county will absorb the first month, then include the charge on subsequent bills. "The reason for the rate increase is due to the landfill tipping fees for them have doubled; however they are still the lowest and still in line with what everyone else is paying," Weaver said.

Next steps

Several items discussed at the Oct. 27 work session — including a request to end the Ft. Benning stray facility contract, a Library Board appointment (Teresa Williams), and pursuit of an economic development sewer grant — were proposed for the Nov. 4 regular meeting agenda. The Commission adjourned at 9:57 a.m.

Votes at a glance: all formal votes recorded in the minutes for Oct. 7, 2025 were unanimous in favor of the motions noted above.