Augusta, GA
Augusta leaders discuss ‘double-edged sword’ of homestead exemption
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders held their final public input session Tuesday on the homestead exemption property tax cap.
The only Augusta Commission members there from the start were Wayne Guilfoyle, Tina Slendak and Francine Scott. Mayor Garnett Johnson was also there, while Commissioners Don Clark and Tony Lewis came in during the public comment period.
About 30 to 40 members of the public were there for the meeting that started at 11 a.m.
A new state law passed by voters caps property tax increases for people with the homestead exemption. This “floating” homestead exemption would mean some adjustments for local governments, which rely on those property tax revenues. As a result, governments can opt out of the cap – but only if they do so by March 1 and after holding at least three public input sessions.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Richmond County Tax Assessor Scott Rountree explained that when homestead properties are exempted, the tax burden must shift to other levies, like commercial, agricultural, industrial and residential non-homestead property taxes.
“I think it’s putting undue burden and undue stress on them,” said Angie Cox, president and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Not to mention the fact that with business owners already having increased costs elsewhere to shift that property tax onto the commercial owners, it’s just creating another cost for them.”
The floating homestead exemption would benefit homeowners, especially those who live in their homes for a long time, the public learned during the session.
Existing homesteads would be added to the new floating exemption.
Richmond County’s tax accessor says this is an additional exemption, and that is something some homeowners want.
“When we take a vote, we assume the voters know what they are doing and we abide by what the voters say,” said Dan Funsch, an Augusta resident.
Here’s what people said during the public comment portion of the meeting:
- “I’m just stressed that seven of our commissioners are not here at a public hearing. … We are just here talking to empty chairs. Who are we talking to? The voters – 62% of voters voted for this – I don’t think it’s wise for our elected officials to overlook this. This is not something we voted on 10 years ago. We recently voted on this.”
- “The voters opted in. The bottom line is taxpayers want the relief. We don’t trust our commissioners to come back and do a FLOST,” said Moses Todd, the second speaker.
- The third person to speak said the matter is like “kicking the can down the road for taxes.” “So I say opt out. Because once you opt in, you can’t opt out. … It’s not going to have a really big impact if you already have homestead exemption. … It allows commissioners to come up with our own tax adjustments.”
- The fourth speaker said it doesn’t seem like it matters what the voters think.
- The fifth person to speak was Sue Parr, representing the Chamber of Commerce at the mayor’s request. She spoke about the shift of the burden to commercial properties if commissioners opt-in.
Johnson said: “I can’t speak to why some of the commissioners aren’t here. But we always want to make the decision that benefits the taxpayer. How do we make sure we protect the commercial properties/small businesses so we do not send them to neighboring counties?”
Richmond County’s tax accessor says this is an additional exemption, and that is something some homeowners want.
“When we take a vote, we assume the voters know what they are doing and we abide by what the voters say,” said Dan Funsch, an Augusta resident.
According to the tax accessor, opting in and maintaining the exemption could create a tax shift, placing the burden on commercial property owners, businesses and multifamily housing.
“I think it’s putting undue burden and undue stress on them,” said Angie Cox, president and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Not to mention the fact that with business owners already having increased costs elsewhere to shift that property tax onto the commercial owners, it’s just creating another cost for them.”
At the end, City Administrator Tameka Allen asked how many people in the room truly understood what was being presented.
About half raised their hand.
She said if the city opts in, “homeowners may save some money, but that burden will shift to commercial and non-homesteaders. … We respect that you voted for this – but we want to make sure you understand what’s all involved.”
Later as the commission went into its regular meeting, Todd again pointed out to commissioners that the public voted to opt in, and “we’ve been generous to this government as far as SPLOSTs go.”
“I understand the need of our local government needing revenues to operate,” he said. “But I call upon you to not take this away from voters. I ask that you give us our FLOST if you opt out.”
FLOST is a type of sales tax to make up the lost revenues.
Allen reminded commissioners they have until March 1 to decide on opting in or out. She said the city has held all the public meetings that are required.
No decision was made Tuesday, however.
Clark said: “I know everyone keeps saying there was a 62% vote, but unfortunately I don’t think everyone understood what they were voting for. This is something all counties in Georgia are facing … I highly encourage everyone to not rely on the rumor mill with this.”
Guilfoyle said now is the best time to discuss the pros and cons.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” he said.
He said the best thing is to pause and decide something next week.
Commissioner Catherina Smith Rice seconded the motion, and Guilfoyle asked Allen to look at other avenues for revenues.
The city general counsel said there needs to be a special called meeting on the matter, and it will be added to the 11 a.m. agenda before commissioners meet at the committee level next week.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 17-year-old driving a possibly stolen vehicle was critically injured Thursday after fleeing Richmond County deputies, crashing near I-520 and running into interstate traffic, authorities said.
Richmond County deputies went to the area of Barton Chapel Road and Old McDuffie Road at around 8:19 a.m. Thursday for a possible stolen vehicle described as an orange Dodge Challenger.
Deputies located the vehicle at the intersection of Barton Chapel Road and Old McDuffie Road, and as deputies attempted to turn around and make contact, the driver sped away going eastbound on Old McDuffie Road, officials said.
Deputies attempted to follow the vehicle but lost sight of it shortly thereafter.
A short time later, a deputy saw that the Challenger had crashed at the dead end of Old McDuffie Road after traveling through a private fence, authorities say.
The vehicle stopped on an embankment along the southeast shoulder of I-520 eastbound near mile marker 4, according to the sheriff’s office.
As deputies approached the vehicle, deputies said the driver ran across the eastbound lanes of I-520 into oncoming traffic, and was hit by a passing vehicle.
The impact from the first vehicle caused him to hit the windshield of a second vehicle traveling in the same direction, according to officials. He was then propelled over the center barrier wall into the westbound lanes of the interstate.
The driver was transported to Wellstar MCG by Central EMS for treatment and is listed in critical condition, the sheriff’s office said.
Georgia State Patrol has been notified and is leading the investigation into the incident. Any additional information will be released as it becomes available.
The crash shut down all lanes on the interstate for hours on Thursday morning, reopening around 11 a.m.
On Wednesday morning, Richmond County deputies responded to another “serious” crash on Barton Chapel Road, which turned out to be deadly.
According to data provided by the sheriff’s office, traffic collisions in Richmond County decreased by 3% in the past year, from 10,672 in 2024 to 10,402 in 2025.
The more significant decrease came with a 43% in traffic fatalities in the county. Fatalities dropped from 44 in 2024 to 25 in 2025.
More broadly, in Georgia, there were a total of 367,523 crashes in 2024, which is down from 374,006 in 2023, according to GDOT.
There was a total of 1,494 fatal crashes in Georgia in 2024, down from 1,666 in 2023.
GDOT says 76% of the time, fatal crashes are caused by unsafe driving behaviors, including distractions, impairment or driving too fast for conditions.
And in Nov. 2025, the sheriff’s office was one of 26 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety awarded the sheriff’s office with $192,286.36.
The Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or H.E.A.T., program is designed to combat crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Abercrombie’s Career-High 33 Lifts Augusta Past Middle Georgia in PBC Tournament Quarterfinals – Augusta University
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta opened Peach Belt Conference Tournament play with a win Wednesday, outlasting Middle Georgia 74-70 in the PBC quarterfinals atChristenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars (19-9, 13-7 Peach Belt) move on to the next round of four and will travel to top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.
Augusta got rolling early behind Quinasia Abercrombie, who buried a three in the opening minute and continued to set the tone offensively. The Jaguars built momentum on both ends, and Nadiyah Byard provided an instant spark off the bench with a layup late in the first quarter to help Augusta take a 16-13 lead after one.
The second quarter belonged to the Jaguars’ defense. Middle Georgia managed just six points in the period, as Augusta tightened the paint and forced tough possessions. Amari Jackson hit a pair of free throws early in the quarter and later added a layup, while Abercrombie finished the half with a strong push in transition to keep Augusta in control. The Jaguars took a 31-19 lead into halftime after holding Middle Georgia to 1-for-13 shooting in the second quarter.
Middle Georgia responded coming out of the break, but Augusta answered every push. Abercrombie knocked down a fast-break three early in the third, and Jackson followed with a layup to keep the advantage comfortable. Sa’Niah Dorsey connected from deep during the quarter, and Augusta shot 61.5 percent in the third to carry a 54-40 lead into the final 10 minutes.
The final quarter turned into a battle. Middle Georgia found rhythm offensively and closed the gap with repeated second-chance opportunities, eventually cutting it to a one-possession game in the final minute. Augusta stayed poised at the line down the stretch, with Elyse Autrey knocking down key free throws in the closing seconds to preserve the win.
Abercrombie led Augusta with a career-high 33 points, going 13-of-20 from the field and 3-of-6 from three. Jackson added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Dorsey finished with seven points, while Autrey dished out six assists and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line.
Middle Georgia (17-11, 10-10 Peach Belt) was paced by Mauryah Jones with 20 points and Kristen Foglia with 18. The Knights also received 13 points and 15 rebounds from Kennedi Hawkins.
Wednesday’s game also featured a special atmosphere at Christenberry Fieldhouse, with the Lucy C. Laney High School Marching Band, the Pride of Augusta, providing in-game entertainment.
Augusta advances to face top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Boxing Club is facing financial uncertainty after Richmond County’s 2026 budget left no room to fund nonprofit organizations.
The county’s decision removes one of the club’s main financial supporters, leaving the historic organization without a key source of funding.
The Augusta Boxing Club is one of the nation’s longest-running amateur boxing clubs and has served at-risk youth in the Augusta area.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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