Plans to revise Augusta’s charter without committee input from elected officials or a referendum moved forward Tuesday.
Five commissioners and Mayor Garnett Johnson voted in favor of hiring the Carl Vinson Institute of Government to facilitate the review, using an appointed committee that excludes current or former elected officials.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle, whom the commission elected mayor pro tem Tuesday, made the motion. It was seconded by Commissioner Don Clark and passed 6-4.
It was a first big “yes” vote for the two newcomers on the commission, Clark and Tina Slendak, on a measure pushed by Johnson. It included support from Commissioner Alvin Mason, who returned Tuesday after more than six months away on medical leave.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson said he favored excluding elected officials but asking voters to approve the changes in a referendum. He and three other commissioners voted against the motion.
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Commission OKs hiring EMA director
The commission also approved, at the mayor’s recommendation, hiring an emergency management agency director. Mayor Johnson said a community of Augusta’s size needs a full-time employee preparing for the next emergency and on the disaster recovery effort.
Marshal seeks raises for employees
The commission referred Richmond County Marshal Ramone Lampkin to meet with Administrator Tameka Allen regarding raises he sought for marshal’s office personnel.
Lampkin said his department lost 23 people to new Sheriff Gino Brantley’s administration and is having to suspend nonessential services, such as litter pickup, due to staffing shortages.
The marshal’s office wants to increase starting salaries to $49,500, which still trails Brantley’s new starting salaries of $56,000, Lampkin said.
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Commissioners take oaths of office
Commissioners Tina Slendak and Catherine Smith Rice took their oaths of office Tuesday. Rice –formerly Catherine Smith McKnight – said after 14 months of marriage to Will Rice, “it was time to start a new year and a new term with my married name.”
Both commissioners said they looked forward to serving their respective commission districts as well as the entire city.
“It’s never easy to take the extra step and make yourself available in this way,” said Superior Court Judge Ashley Wright, who administered Slendak’s oaths.
Mason returns from extended leave
Commissioner Alvin Mason returned to the dais Tuesday after more than six months out due to serious back surgery.
Addressing the gallery and his colleagues, Mason said he’d “flatlined” and was unresponsive after surgery and saw a bright light. Mason said he was glad to wake up when God let him know “it is not your time.”
Commission postpones tax break discussion
The commission voted to delay acting on House Bill 581, the so-called “floating” homestead exemption intended to save homeowners extra money on their property taxes.
With several area jurisdictions taking steps to “opt out” of the exemption, the commission referred discussion of it to an upcoming committee meeting.
