The Augusta Commission met in executive session on Feb. 22 and later voted in public unanimously to appoint Takiyah A. Douse, the longtime director of Central Services, as interim county administrator.
Commissioners agreed to set Douse’s salary at $190,000 with a $600 automobile allowance, which is $50,000 less than the city is paying outgoing City Administrator Odie Donald Jr.
Douse, a graduate of Troy University, began her employment with the city of Augusta in 2008. She started in the Tax Commissioner’s office as director of the motor vehicle division. In 2016, Douse was promoted to director of the Central Services Department.
[adrotate banner=”51″]
The Central Services Department, created in 2016, is in charge of the Augusta 311 system, building maintenance, records retention and fleet services.
Since her appointment to Central Services, Douse has spearheaded the Green Augusta Initiative, which is currently working on phasing in electric vehicles moving away from gasoline vehicles.
A native of Hephzibah, Douse was chosen over deputy city administrators Tanika Jackson and Charles Jackson. Both deputy administrators were hand chosen by Donald and have been with the city less than a year.
Donald submitted his resignation in early February after just over a year on the job and will work his last day on Feb. 25.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
