Cusseta‑Chattahoochee commissioners approve $294,725 in mid‑year budget amendments as county faces roughly $740,000 deficit

The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County approved multiple mid‑year budget transfers totaling $294,725 during its April meetings and public hearings, and staff warned commissioners that the proposed FY2025 budget begins with an approximate $740,000 shortfall.

County Manager Thomas Weaver told the board at a budget hearing that the county is “starting at a $740,000.00 deficit” but that some revenue sources — notably the new SPLOST and ambulance receipts of about $130,000 to date — are helping narrow the gap. Weaver recommended moving some capital items to SPLOST to reduce pressure on the operating budget.

The board voted unanimously to adopt several resolutions that reallocate reserve funds into operating lines including: $6,000 for property tax reimbursement; $30,000 to the coroner salary line; $150,000 to legal expense; $275,000 to EMS salaries; and $200,000 to the boarding‑of‑prisoners line. Minutes summarize the combined amendment as $294,725.

Votes at a glance

- National Donate Life Month proclamation: motion by Commissioner Jason Frost, seconded by Commissioner Timothy Biddle — approved unanimously. - Budget hearing calendar: motion by Commissioner Biddle — approved unanimously. - Tax refund for Tracy (Tracy) Chiodo: motion by Commissioner Damon Hoyte, seconded by Commissioner Biddle — approved unanimously. (Meeting minutes list the refund total as $38.31 with the county portion $12.31; an accompanying Board of Assessors letter in the meeting packet lists a corrected total of $38.38 with a county portion of $12.81.) - Budget amendments and related resolutions (property tax reimbursement, coroner, legal, EMS, boarding of prisoners): motions made and seconded as recorded in the minutes — all approved unanimously.

Several elected officials and staff pushed for priorities the commission said it cannot fund without either cutting other services or raising revenue. Superior Court Clerk Tami Wade urged the board during a budget work session to approve a part‑time position (about $15,000) and a $10,000 software purchase; she said her office must remain open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and historically has had three staff. Wade said she “cannot wait a year” for relief. Chairman Charles Coffey responded that funding choices affect the entire county and that commissioners must consider whether to cut spending or raise the millage rate.

Commissioner Jason Frost said commissioners should prepare the public for the possibility of a tax increase if revenues do not cover the county’s obligations. Weaver noted that, even if state proposals such as HB 581 pass and are approved locally, any revenue benefit would not be immediate and would not erase current shortfalls.

Other budget items discussed included a proposed $2 monthly increase to the county trash rate (from $20 to $22) to cover rising solid‑waste costs; county staff asked the board to add that proposal to the May agenda. County staff also said several capital requests (including a sheriff’s vehicle and a proposed batwing tractor) could be funded from SPLOST rather than the operating budget.

The commission closed the public hearings without final action on the overall proposed FY2025 budget; staff were asked to return with a consolidated list of recommended cuts and revenue scenarios for a future meeting so the board can weigh millage options and other adjustments.

The board also entered a closed session on personnel during the April 28 work session and filed an affidavit that the discussion fell within legal exceptions to Georgia’s open‑meetings law.

What comes next: staff will compile recommended cuts and revenue scenarios for the board, the trash‑rate proposal will appear on a future agenda, and the commission will continue budget deliberations at its next regular meeting.