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Cusseta-Chattahoochee officials say insurance spike expands draft budget contingency; SPLOST funds, equipment needs remain central
Summary
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the board the draft FY25/26 budget was reduced but showed a $21,830 shortfall in an earlier work session; by the final public hearing a 49% insurance renewal increase had pushed the contingency to approximately $59,000 while staff pursues lower rates and relies on SPLOST for capital needs.
The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County discussed the county's draft fiscal 2025–26 budget at public hearings and work sessions in May, where officials said an unexpected health insurance renewal widened the contingency and officials highlighted SPLOST-funded capital needs.
County Manager Thomas Weaver said the budget has been pared back but still showed a deficit of $21,830 in an earlier budget work session, and he distributed updated handouts to the commission. "We have overall reduced the budget, to the part where we have a deficit of 21,830.00," Weaver said during the May 6 hearing. He later told the board that new information from the county's insurer indicated a 49% premium increase, and that after adjusting numbers the contingency grew to about $59,000 at the May 27 final hearing.
Weaver said the administration has changed insurance brokers and is seeking more favorable quotes. "We changed brokers, and the new broker is working to get us lower rates," he told commissioners at the May 27 work session.
Commission discussion focused on how to balance recurring operating costs with one-time capital needs. Weaver reviewed SPLOST-funded capital outlays including vehicle replacement and courthouse projects and said the county has already begun to receive 2025 SPLOST funds. He told the board he had discussed trading a sheriff's vehicle — a Black F-150 — to help public works, and said staff would follow up with the sheriff's office.
On smaller operational matters, Weaver reported staff sent letters to commercial accounts that had not set up trash service, said grading and landscaping projects are underway and noted two new homes framed in the Magnolia Homes subdivision. Public works also checked and repaired municipal lighting, he said.
Actions taken on related consent items included a unanimous vote to buy a batwing tractor with TSPLOST funds (commissioners approved accepting the lower Carson Brothers quote) and a unanimous resolution designating County Manager Thomas Weaver as an authorized signer for the county's Ozark Bank accounts. Commissioners also voted unanimously to table consideration of a proposed garbage-rate increase until staff can determine the cost of resuming county-run collection.
The commission scheduled final budget adoption for the next regular meeting; Weaver said staff will return with updated insurance numbers and any additional adjustments before the board adopts the FY25/26 budget.
