Augusta Commission moves forward on mayor’s credit card policy

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After months of back and forth, Augusta commissioners agreed to move forward with a plan regarding city credit card expenses on Tuesday.

This comes after Mayor Garnett Johnson asked commissioners for reimbursements to his personal credit card he used for city purchases.

The policy the administrator presented to commissioners laid out the credit card policy for all elected officials, including the mayor.

Prior to this policy, the mayor did not have a city credit card and there was no policy for him when it came to him using his own personal credit card for city spending.

For several months now commissioners have tossed around what they think the limit should be for the mayor.

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There are two other elected officials that use a city credit card, the sheriff who has a monthly limit of $5,000, and the marshal who has a monthly limit of $20,000.

Commissioners decided to give the mayor a monthly limit of $15,000 with no daily limit and if any other elected official decides to use a city credit card, their limit will also be $15,000.

“It better reflects our budget in that oftentimes the mayor has to make either travel plans or plans to receive guests,” said Johnson. “Sometimes at the very last moment, we shouldn’t have the hurdles of calling authorizers to approve us with having the ability to entertain guests, having approvals to travel as we need.”

Commissioners also approved the audit of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Commissioner Sean Frantom says they are close to hiring a permanent director and in order to set that individual up for success, they needed to go ahead and audit the department.

This now goes to the full commission for a vote on Tuesday.

Also discussed at the meeting, Augusta’s newly-hired City Administrator, Tamekaa Allen highlighted her plans for the first 180 days in her role.

That involves identifying organization goals, formulating an action agenda and tackling the city’s priorities.

Allen says a “long-range strategic approach” is the key to holding everyone accountable for their performance, as well as clear and honest communication.

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