Augusta’s Charter Review Committee meets for the fourth time today, continuing its work to revise the city’s governing document.
Prior meetings have focused on organizing, scheduling and reviewing local government topics. Today’s agenda includes a presentation from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government about the 166-page document it has provided the committee to review.
Committee Chair Marcie Wilhelmi said she asked the institute to highlight sections governed by state law, identify outdated content and note areas needing modernization.
“This should help us to begin the actual substantive discussions,” she said.
Other agenda items include a public comment period, a Carl Vinson presentation on demographics, a review of a committee survey and any new business.
At the last meeting, members discussed trying to finalize changes in time for a May 2026 voter referendum and agreed to meet every other Thursday at 10 a.m.
Topics previously discussed
City Administrator Tameka Allen introduced her role and confirmed she reports directly to the mayor and 10 commissioners. “Yes,” she said when asked if she has “11 bosses.”
Allen said she is developing evaluation procedures for department heads but does not have hiring or firing authority over them. Member Charlie Coleman later said Allen should have that authority.
Rex Facer of the Vinson Institute presented best practices in local government budgeting and reviewed Augusta’s $1.35 billion budget for 2025.
Only 9.3% is in the general fund, one-third of which goes to law enforcement, while capital expenditures account for 29.7% of the total, he said. Almost 15% is allocated to water and sewer enterprise funds.
Members showed interest in law enforcement spending and the stormwater utility fee. Coleman questioned the use of the fee — $6.40 monthly for smaller homes and included the water bill — for tasks like cutting grass. Facer said he was unfamiliar with the fee.
Find out more on the city’s Charter Review Committee website.
