RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. –
AUGUSTA, GA (WFXG) – Last week, the city of Augusta agreed to move forward with its search for a permanent administrator. FOX54 reached out the city to find out where they stand.  

It isn’t a new issue, the city has lacked an administrator for 16 months, with Takiyah Douse serving on an interim basis.

The commission moved to hire an outside firm within the next two weeks. One week has passed. So, has an outside recruitment firm been hired and how much will it cost taxpayers?

The city couldn’t say if a firm had been hired yet. But, said the status of the agenda item will be shared in an upcoming commission meeting. 

It’s been over a year since former administrator Odie Donald left, appointing Takiyah Douse as interim administrator. Since then, the commission has been at odds over how to fill the vacancy.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson says the next decade is important and the city can’t afford to play politics with this decision.

“This isn’t a conversation about Mrs. Douse or anyone else,” Johnson says. “The conversation is about being thoughtful as policy makers when attempting to hire a city administrator. Over the last few cycles we’ve changed the job description to fit whatever reasons and I think that we should slow down and be thoughtful while we’re making this decision.” 

The commission did make the distinction that the applicant must have served in a governmental role of some kind within the last three years, meaning Douse could be one of the seven individuals the body interviews.

Still, time is of the essence as they hope to start looking for candidates throughout the Southeast within 30 days of hiring the firm.

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