Augusta’s Consolidation Act could be changing.
State legislators have run a legal ad stating announcing a plan to introduce legislation to amend the charter that consolidated Augusta and Richmond County in 1995.
Tuesday, someone leaked a news release stating the plan is to conduct a referendum on giving Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson a vote.
The release, sent to WFXG, appeared to come from Johnson’s office, but mayor’s office Liaison Brennan Meagher said the office hadn’t released the message.
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The release states the plan has support from Johnson as well as commissioners Catherine Smith McKnight, Sean Frantom, Alvin Mason and Wayne Guilfoyle and Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Garrett. McKnight confirmed she is in support of the measure.
A bill is in the works but hasn’t been assigned a number yet, Rep. Mark Newton, R-Augusta, said.
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Johnson campaigned on a willingness to amend the document, but only with voter OK. The charter could be changed without seeking voter approval.
Rep. Brian Prince, D-Augusta, is chairman of the seven-member legislative delegation. He said there is definitely “talk” about doing a bill, particularly among Republican members.
The Consolidation Act “definitely needs to be looked at, but my approach would probably be just having a study done on the entire charter and don’t piecemeal it,” Prince said.
The study is something the Augusta Commission could enlist the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia or another group to facilitate, he said.
A bill could move emerge as local legislation, requiring a majority of Augusta delegation members’ support, or a general bill.
A general bill would need a majority of the House in support, which Republicans have. Prince said amending the charter could pass with that support.
“I can definitely see that happening,” he said.
The Consolidation Act creates the office of mayor and the 10-member commission. The mayor can only vote if there’s a tie, but commissioners routinely abstain to avoid creating a 5-5 tie he could break.
Gaining a vote on all commission decisions would be a boon for Augusta’s mayor, a position that lacks formal authority over most city functions.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
