AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – The Augusta City Administrator kicked off the budget season by saying the house is on fire, and city leaders could feel the burn.

“I wouldn’t say we’re burning up but we’re seeing signs of smoke, certainly the alarm bells have sounded. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and go to work,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The administrator has started working, proposing a budget that eliminates a $21 million dollar shortfall by implementing across the board spending cuts and a 31 percent property tax increase.

This would come on the heels of new streetlight and garbage fees hitting taxpayers this year.

“Getting socked two years in a row, would that be fair?”

“No, it would not be. They need to hold off a couple years, at least give us a break. Give us a chance,” said Patrick Ford who was paying this year’s taxes at the Municipal Building.

The tax increase would bring in $16 million dollars and is a major part of eliminating the shortfall, but there is pushback.

“I don’t want to raise those taxes. We had a streetlight increase, we had a garbage increase and the last thing I want to do is for the constituents to feel the crunch,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“I’m not going to support any tax increase,” said Mayor Johnson.

So that could result in deeper spending cuts and could cost jobs.

“If you do cuts, you lay off people.”

“You’re laying off people,” said Lewis.

“Do you want to do that?”

“You’re affecting folks livelihood, George. I don’t want to do that either,” said Lewis.

“I don’t want to see layoffs, but I do believe we need to create a more efficient government,” said the mayor.

Under state law, the commission must approve a balanced budget. The proposed one is balanced, but it doesn’t look to stay that way.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The annual Miracle Mile Walk will return to Augusta this Saturday, supporting Piedmont Augusta’s Center for Breast Health Services during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The walk will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Augusta Common. Proceeds from the event will benefit Piedmont Augusta’s breast cancer screening programs and mobile mammography unit, which provides crucial health services to the community.

Registration for the walk is available on the Miracle Mile Walk website at miraclemilewalks.org. The event serves as both a fundraiser and awareness campaign during October, which is recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Center for Breast Health Services at Piedmont Augusta offers comprehensive screening and diagnostic services, including the mobile mammography unit that brings breast health services directly to underserved communities throughout the region.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta Transit will be hosting a ribbon cutting for the official launch into regular service of battery electric buses.

It’s the first transit agency in the CSRA with electric transit buses.

This is all a part of Green Augusta initiative, transitioning twenty percent of its non emergency vehicles to zero emission by 2030.

There will be five battery electric transit buses used in Augusta, providing cleaner air, lower operating cost, better performance and improved riding experiences.

The drivers are specifically trained to drive these buses for more efficient battery use.

Augusta Transit’s deputy director says the buses won’t run out of battery because they are monitored at all times.

“It’s monitored in real time. I’d be up to monitor it. We have dispatch staff who’ve been monitoring it transmits a lot of information. One of the information it transmits is the how it’s using the battery, how the driver, the bus operator was actually operating the bus,” said Dr. Oliver Page.

He also, said only four routes will be initially taken to begin with.

“We have assigned four routes. Route three, the Gold Line, East Augusta. Route five, the Green Line, Washington Road. Route seven, The Pink Line, Augusta Mall. And Route eight, The Orange Line, Barton Chapel.”

These buses will begin its routes starting Monday October 20th.

The ribbon cutting will be held here at Augusta Transit today at noon.