Augusta’s Charter Review Committee and its “Form of Government” subcommittee meet publicly Wednesday at Augusta Municipal Building.
Making comments at one or more of the group meetings will be two former mayors, Deke Copenhaver and Bob Young, according to meeting agendas.
The pair are expected to provide insight into working under the consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government approved by voters in 1995. The structure consolidates power in the Augusta Commission rather than a single elected or appointed official.
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During the committee meeting, consultants with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government are expected to present information about “various forms of government,” according to the agenda. The city contracted with the institute through the University of Georgia for help with the charter review process for a $320,174 fee.
At its first meeting June 12, the form of government subcommittee considered one alternate form of government suggested by subcommittee Chairman Steve Foushee. A diagram he presented showed the city’s mayor pro tem serving as intermediary between the mayor and manager and the 10-member commission. The manager reported to the mayor rather than the commission.
Meeting for a seventh time, the committee also is expected to revisit the topic of the frequency and order of subcommittee meetings. Currently the committee has two subcommittees, form of government and finance, but is considering others such as public safety.
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The committee meeting starts at 10 a.m. in the commission chamber at Augusta Municipal Building. The subcommittee meeting is at 1 p.m. in Room 391.
The meetings are live-streamed here and posted online afterward.
