Augusta government may be headed for a change in leadership.
The commission has announced a called meeting to start at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The stated purpose is to hire a city administrator.
Central Services Director Takiyah Douse has served as interim administrator since February 2022, when former administrator Odie Donald II resigned.
At last count, the commission had three finalists for administrator from which to pick. They are Douse, city IT Director and former Deputy Administrator Tameka Allen and south Florida transportation director Richard Chess.
A fourth contender, Whitfield County Administrator Robert Sivick, withdrew from the search in January.
MORE: Augusta mayor assigned city credit card with existing limits, for now
Mayor Garnett Johnson has previously indicated his preference for Allen as administrator, while others on the commission prefer Douse. Augusta’s charter specifies the mayor recommends an administrator candidate, but needs six commission votes to approve.
The commission hired a search firm, Developmental Associates, to conduct the search in conjunction with staff. The commission agreed to spend up to $31,750 on the search.
The last time the commission voted on an administrator pick, Commissioner Bobby Williams abstained two times to prevent Mayor Garnett Johnson breaking a tie in favor of Allen.
MORE: Land Bank Authority chairman says changes will increase transparency
Since then, Johnson has gained a vote on all commission actions.
That means he could join other commissioners who have favored Allen to hire her. Other Allen supporters have included commissioners Wayne Guilfoyle, Brandon Garrett, Catherine Smith McKnight, Sean Frantom and Alvin Mason.
Mason has been out on medical leave since early June. He could vote from home, or from the dais in the event he returns to commission work.
Allen served as deputy administrator for several years under former Administrator Fred Russell.
