AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – With their tax bills in hand, they came to pay, but with new fees that could impact the family budget.

“Oh, yes a whole lot. It’s going to take a lot out of my pocket and out of my household,” said Beatrice Boles.

Going on this year’s tax bills, the commission approved fee increases for garbage and streetlights.

It has the phone ringing like it hasn’t in years at the Tax commissioner’s office.

“If you’ve been calling my office and had a hard time getting us on the phone, it’s probably because we had more calls than I remember over the past 13 years,” said Chris Johnson Richmond County Tax Commissioner.

$54 dollar increase for trash service, a new $45 dollar fee for people who have no lights on their street and as much as a $295 dollar street light fee for previously exempt properties.

Tasha Martin is now paying that new $45 dollar streetlight fee on top of the new trash fee.

“I know everything is going up but this is insane. It hurts, especially when we work hard for what we do have, and every year you see the taxes go up,” said Martin.

The new streetlight fees for churches, up to nearly $3,000 dollars, have pastors not feeling blessed.

“At this time I’m pastoring a small church who’s struggling now. It’s not going to be good for us because we’re already hurting,” said Reverend Larry Fryer.

But, like it or not, taxpayers have bills to pay and new fees to cover.

“Yeah, we are concerned but what can we do about it, you know? It’s the good old boy system. It is what it is,” said Anthony Williams.

They are paying for services but many without a smile.

In Augusta George Eskola, WJBF NewsChannel 6.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Citizens in Augusta’s District 3 gathered Tuesday night for their neighborhood meeting, welcoming Mayor Garnett Johnson and Sheriff Eugene Brantley.

The meeting was held at the Knights of Columbus building on Monte Sano Avenue, hosted by the Peachtree to Glenn Neighborhood Association.

While rooted in District 3, the topics raised carried weight for all.

Johnson said he wanted to listen directly to neighbors’ concerns.

“I’m here to just support the community, to answer questions they had,” Johnson said.

Neighbors asked about everything from taxes to the city’s new garbage collection service, the Charter Review Committee and crime prevention.

Their association was founded to prevent crime, and for Ann Marie McManus, crime is more than just a statistic.

“My family had a home invasion, and some men, 17 to 19 years old, came into our house. It was quite traumatic,” McManus said.

To address safety, neighbors pay dues to fund an off-duty deputy who patrols the streets. McManus said it’s been effective.

“When something does happen, patrolling officers know where to look. They know what they’re looking for, and they can help keep us safe,” she said.

While Augusta has seen several shootings in recent weeks, neighbors say community policing and looking out for one another make all the difference.

“It has to be neighbor to neighbor. Very personal in your neighborhood. You know the traffic,” McManus said.

This group is making important steps to keep their neighborhood safe.

“Augusta is a very special, caring place. There’s no reason why we should allow a criminal element to make us concerned about where we are,” she said.

Brantley also noted that overall crime numbers are down compared to this time last year.

The proactive measures taken by this neighborhood show the importance of looking out for your own community.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has responded to Stevens Creek Road at Clausen Road due to a large black bear sighting.

Deputies are waiting for Georgia Department of Natural Resources officers to arrive. Once the bear is found, DNR officers will safely relocate it to a less populated area.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to avoid the area and if the bear is spotted, please contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office or Augusta 9-1-1 for assistance.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.