Augusta mayor’s spending raises concerns among city leaders

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There are growing concerns among Augusta Commission members about the mayor’s spending habits.

On Tuesday when commission members met at the committee level, the matter was brought to the table by Mayor Garnett Johnson himself.

He was seeking reimbursement for his personal credit card, with a price tag topping $40,000.

The big reimbursement that came up deals with the mayor’s visit to the White House in May for a state dinner

Johnson says he is asking for “mere reimbursement” and nothing else.

He says when he took office, his goal was to create what he calls more efficiency in the mayor’s office when it comes to savings.

He says the mayor’s office has been responsible in how it spends money.

He noted that his office had a budget of $554,000 last year. He says that was the second smallest in the entire government.

The mayor also says his office returned 22% of that amount back to the general fund.

City leaders raised concerns on why the mayor was using his personal credit cards for government business.

When they asked the finance director if the policy states the mayor is required to have a city-issued card, the finance director said there is no policy to address that.

“I would never lessen my integrity by submitting a receipt based on some personal use or credit cards that I don’t own,” Johnson said. “Do you think I would jeopardize my credibility by doing that?”

The big question moving forward is: Will the mayor get a city-issued credit card?

City leaders will revisit this item at their next finance committee meeting.

They say this will give departments an opportunity to collaborate.

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