Augusta commission approves moving forward with review of city charter

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The consolidation bill is what Augusta government has followed since the 1990s, but the document could be in for an overhaul. 

“People want to see some change in this government and see in this community,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom. “I think this is a great step towards that and it’s going to happen.”

Commissioners giving the go-ahead to bring in experts from UGA to create a charter review commission, to study the charter and decide if it needs updating.  

“The question whether the charter needs to be changed is not a yes or no for me, it’s a let’s look at this charter see what needs to be changed let’s review it properly,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.  

“I don’t know how my colleagues feel. I would like to change about everything that can be changed in it,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight.  

“I think it’s time a document that’s been around for a long time, so we need to look to see what we need to change,” said Commissioner Francine Scott. 

Right now, commissioners have the hiring and firing powers for department directors Frantom would like to change the charter to turn that authority over to a city manager. 

“When you look at how this government has ran in the last 28 years, it’s not been efficient. I think there will be the nay-sayers that we shouldn’t be a city manager form of government that’s the only form of government it should be,” said Frantom.  

The consolidation bill is the form of government Augusta has followed for years, but now city leaders are ready to decide if it should remain that way.