Augusta’s Charter Review Committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend creating an internal audit department, a move expected to strengthen accountability in the consolidated government.
The 10-0 vote, with member Steve Foushee absent, approved the audit recommendation but left details to be finalized later. All final charter recommendations must be ratified by the legislature and Augusta voters.
Consultant Rex Facer with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia noted that 62% of Georgia counties with over 100,000 people and 57% of cities with over 50,000 have an internal audit function.
Language used by the jurisdictions presented by Facer varies. The Macon-Bibb Commission, for instance, “may also provide for special independent audits” of any part of the government, the Macon charter says.
In Athens-Clarke, “the internal auditor shall conduct a continuing internal audit of the fiscal affair and operations of every department, office and agency of the unified government.”
Adding the department is the second major change the committee has recommended, after voting two weeks ago to implement a commission-manager form of government.
The committee made a third major decision last month, recommending to retain the current system of 10 commissioners elected by district.
The committee also discussed including ethics provisions in the new charter.
Among the same group of cities and counties, 86% have a formal code of ethics, Facer said. About half of counties have an ethics review board, but only 9% of cities do.
Augusta already holds the Georgia Municipal Association’s “City of Ethics” certification, based on principles such as serving others before self, using resources efficiently and creating an environment of honesty and integrity.
The committee has been advised against recommending harsh penalties for ethics violations. Typically the toughest available is a censure, said Zena McClain Haymon, senior city staff attorney.
A dozen years ago under the existing charter, the commission voted to censure three members for performing work under city contracts.
The committee also discussed the salaries of Augusta commissioners, which were specified in the current charter. Committee Vice Chairman Clint Bryant said most aren’t in it for the money. “A lot of time you hear the term ‘public servant,” he said.
Based on an array of state-imposed raises and longevity increases, Augusta commissioners currently make around $30,000, while the mayor pro tem garners around $41,000.
Committee Secretary Angela Bakos said the low pay restricts participation, and is why the commission includes mainly retirees, small business owners and the self-employed, who have more flexible schedules.
“We severely limit who can participate if we are not paying them anywhere near a living wage,” she said.
Bryant said overall, the committee was headed in the right direction toward a charter that will increase participation in the government.
“We will come out of this recommending a stronger charter and a stronger form of government than we currently have,” he said.
At a later work session, committee members discussed the roles of the mayor, manager and commission under the new charter.
