QUITMAN, Ga. (WALB) — City of Quitman leaders held the first budget hearing Monday, June 8, where one agenda item is already drawing strong reaction: a proposed reduction to the Quitman Police Department’s staffing and funding for the 2027 fiscal year.

In the meeting, City Manager, James Lawrence stated the need for cuts the city is currently unable to balance the General Fund.

“The challenge that we have here is that the utilities funds based off its current revenue structure doesn’t allow for it to both send enough money over to the general fund to balance it and to maintain a comfortable level of reserves just in case we have a natural disaster,” he said.

The General Fund collects taxes, fees, and charges and utility transfers. Lawrence researched several models before presenting a budget that would introduce cuts to the city’s departments, including administrative office, police, fire, and public works.

“Everything that makes up the General Fund has been reduced to match the level of revenue,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence addressed community concerns about cuts, “until our revenue increases, then we will decrease the expenditures to make sure that we have a sovereign government.”

Watch the full City of Quitman Budget Meeting here:

A budget document included in Monday’s meeting materials shows police department salaries budgeted at $400,000 for FY2027, a plan that would reduce the department from 17 total positions to 8 total positions. The document describes the change as one of the most significant operational shifts in the city’s General Fund budget, warning it would reduce staffing depth, shift coverage flexibility, leave coverage and overtime capacity, and the department’s ability to absorb vacancies and unexpected personnel needs.

The proposed authorized staffing listed in the budget materials totals eight positions:

• Police Chief: 1
• Assistant Chief: 1
• Captain: 1
• Certified POST officers/police personnel: 5
• Total: 8

The same document also outlines other personnel-related costs, including group insurance budgeted at $80,784, FICA budgeted at $30,600, and retirement budgeted at $11,500, noting those figures reflect the reduced staffing model.

Monday’s budget discussion comes as Quitman continues facing heightened scrutiny over governance and financial accountability.

The city has not completed a full audit since 2017-2018, a longstanding issue that has fueled questions from residents and state leaders. In recent months, those concerns escalated as Georgia Rep. John LaHood, whose district includes Quitman, filed legislation that would dissolve the city’s charter.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘Give us a chance’ as Quitman city leaders work to restore trust; bill introduced to dissolve the city’s charter <<

Now, city leaders have said they are working with the Georgia Municipal Association and the State Department of Audits to address the audit backlog and restore public trust.

The City’s proposed FY2027 budget is available:

The city will hold another public hearing at a later date before adopting the proposed budget.

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