Augusta mayor pushes plan to give him a vote on commission

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Mayor Garnett Johnson stated Thursday he desires voters to determine on a plan to offer him a full vote at Augusta Fee conferences.

Proper now, he can solely vote to interrupt a tie.

The plan to vary town constitution emerged earlier this week, and Johnson held a information convention on it Thursday afternoon.

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He launched a letter requesting that the Richmond County legislative delegation help a invoice to carry a referendum on the matter. Along with Johnson, the letter was signed by fee members Alvin Mason, Brandon Garrett, Catherine Smith McKnight, Sean Frantom, and Wayne Guilfoyle.

That request was learn for the primary time Thursday within the Common Meeting, assigned to a committee, and labeled Senate Invoice 231.

The decision wouldn’t create a “sturdy mayor” type of authorities or take energy away from the fee, however quite give the mayor a vote equal to that of the ten district commissioners, stated a press release from the mayor’s workplace.

Johnson believes a “sturdy mayor” authorities “may be counterproductive to every thing he’s attempting to attain and will elevate issues about future mayors,” stated the assertion.

AT THE AUGUSTA COMMISSION THIS WEEK:

• Metropolis leaders approve funds for everlasting lights on Greene Road
• Metropolis approves $850K to repair restrooms at Diamond Lakes Park

“This isn’t an ask for expanded powers or authority over the Metropolis Administrator or some other personnel,” the assertion stated. “That is merely an ask for a extra balanced construction of energy which Mayor Johnson believes will assist get issues accomplished for our constituents.”

The plan emerged not lengthy after an abstention throughout a fee assembly prevented a tie, thus retaining Johnson from voting on a plan to resume an ambulance contract with Gold Cross Emergency Medical Service.

He stated coordinated efforts like this to forestall the mayor from voting “severely hampers our capability to make progress in our metropolis.”

“We’ve all of the challenges of issues that influence the well being and security of our constituents like ambulance service. But we’re deadlocked on a few of the easiest issues. I consider that this referendum, if authorised by the voters, or a minimum of given to the voters, offers us a chance to make efficient change,” stated Johnson.

Senate Invoice 231 was launched Thursday by state Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania, and Rep. Mark Newton, R-Augusta.

“The good folks of Augusta ought to have the ability to determine what’s finest for them as a collective, which will probably be accomplished democratically by means of a vote on a poll,” Burns stated.

The invoice has been assigned to the Senate Committee on State and Native Governments. You possibly can learn the total textual content of the invoice right here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/laws/64704.

Augusta voters might have a say on the problem as early as November.

Earlier than we get there, the invoice must move by means of the Common Meeting and make its technique to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for signature.

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