County manager proposes budget cuts; commission approves two budget amendments and several administrative items

County Manager Thomas Weaver presented preliminary and then detailed budget revisions in two separate May work sessions (May 14 and May 28), recommending reductions to contract services and line items and proposing moving some maintenance/upgrades to SPLOST or the capital budget.

At the May 28 meeting the commission unanimously approved budget amendments for the sheriff (housing of prisoners) and E911 (resilient mapping). Weaver told commissioners he would continue to refine salary and line‑item numbers and said management would avoid using reserves where possible.

Administrative items handled across the May meetings included acceptance of fee‑schedule changes for the Enrichment Service Center and Board of Health, authorization of a request for proposals for solid‑waste services, acceptance of a preliminary report from Barge on sewer work, and a resolution appointing Thomas Weaver to the Chattahoochee County Board of Health to fill a vacancy through Dec. 31, 2026.

Weaver also updated the commission on operations: a nearby mobile‑home park faces an overdue water bill approaching $15,000 but had a deposit forthcoming; the county’s splash pad was nearing completion; LMIG paving funding of roughly $155,000 is expected; and the county is pursuing enforcement against illegal dumping at the recycling center using cameras to capture violators.

What happens next: Finance staff will incorporate the approved amendments into the FY2024 budget; the county manager will continue budget adjustments and report back. Planning & Zoning will be asked to supply recommendations on land‑use items when available.