Augusta commissioners held off on raising property taxes and paying Mayor Garnett Johnson’s credit card bills Tuesday.
The tax rate proposed by the city Finance Department would add about $38 for the owner of a $200,000 home, Director Donna Williams said.
Some commissioners expressed reservations about the increase due to the Richmond County School System’s plan to also increase its millage by a larger amount.
The city commission has limited formal influence over the school system, although school board president Charlie Walker Jr. works for Johnson’s office supply business.
The school system’s increase is expected to add about $167 annually to an owner-occupied home valued at $200,000.
The city increase was expected to help cover the fire department’s capital expenses, which are supplemented by fire insurance premium taxes but not included in Sales Tax 9, Williams said.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle made a motion to adopt a slightly lower rollback rate, without the fire increase.
It failed 4-4, with Johnson and commissioners Francine Scott, Stacy Pulliam and Tony Lewis with “no” votes. Commissioners Alvin Mason, Bobby Williams and Sean Frantom were not present for the vote.
A subsequent vote to adopt the proposed rate also failed 4-4 by the same margin.
The city has decreased the tax rate almost every year since 2014, to the tune of about $24 million in lower collections, Finance Director Williams said.
Committee meeting
After the special called meeting, the four-member Augusta Commission Finance Committee took up the mayor’s credit card issue.
Williams said his method of seeking reimbursement for personal card spending was “not addressed in existing policy.”
Scott, who retired from state government, said state employees were not allowed to seek reimbursement for personal credit card spending.
“I never ever, ever worked in state government where you collect invoices and submit them for payment,” Scott said.
Augusta Procurement Director Geri Sams said the mayor’s request flew outside state and local procurement laws.
“When you start making exceptions to both a state statute and your procurement code, gentlemen, you are setting a precedent,” Sams said. “Accounting 101, business finance, you do not mix your personal with your business.”
Scott’s motion to refer the item to an upcoming finance committee meeting passed 3-0 with Guilfoyle not voting.
