Cusseta–Chattahoochee officials report smaller draft budget deficit, probe insurance spike

At a May 6 public hearing County Manager Thomas Weaver told the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County that recent line-item reductions left a draft budget short by $21,830.00, and he provided updated budget handouts to commissioners as staff works toward a final adopted budget.

Weaver told commissioners the 2020 SPLOST and planned 2025 SPLOST receipts will be used for capital outlays including truck replacements and courthouse projects. "We have overall reduced the budget, to the part where we have a deficit of 21,830.00," Weaver said. At a May 27 work session Weaver added the county had been notified of a proposed 49% increase in health-insurance costs by the incumbent broker and that the county has changed brokers while pursuing better options. "Our health insurance broker informed us that we would be increasing by 49% this year," Weaver said, and he described the change of broker as an effort to lower rates before final adoption.

Commissioners were encouraged by the contingency figures and by the possibility of using SPLOST to fund one-time purchases; Weaver reported a $59,000 contingency in the later hearing but said final numbers depend on continued insurer and vendor responses. The commission plans a final budget vote after additional information is received from carriers and departments.