Augusta, GA
Cuts, layoffs possible as Augusta leaders scramble to balance budget
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta city leaders face one final task before the end of the year: balancing a budget that remains nearly $7 million short.
City commissioners say cuts, layoffs, department restructuring, and possible tax increases are all still on the table as they work to meet the state-mandated deadline of Dec. 31.
Multiple solutions needed
District 5 Commissioner Don Clark said the budget gap will require a comprehensive approach.
“It’s not gonna be a one-tiered solution. It’s gonna have to be a multi-tiered approach,” Clark said. “It’s gonna have to result in some additional cuts. It’s gonna have to result in some additional efficiencies. It’s gonna definitely have to result in some additional increases to the millage rate as well.”
Mayor Garnett Johnson said a work efficiency study could help identify where the city can operate more effectively.
“I’ve always said that a work efficiency study is perhaps in the best interest of the city,” the mayor said. “While we’ve done salary-related studies, we’ve never had the opportunity to do a work efficiency study to see if we have the right people in the right departments.”
Examining city operations
The study would examine whether work is being duplicated and help right-size staff so services like grass cutting, litter control and maintenance can be delivered consistently across the city.
“I think this action next year, if we take on this action of evaluating the departments, it will give us an opportunity to see where there’s additional cost savings to be made,” Johnson said.
District 10 Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle expressed hope that other commissioners would present solutions at the next meeting.
“I don’t want to go there. I was hoping my colleagues who’ve been quiet would have a solution come next Tuesday, and if not, it’s gonna go back on the table,” Guilfoyle said.
Balancing efficiency and services
The mayor said additional cuts could be made through efficiency rather than eliminating jobs or services.
“I think there’s an opportunity to make additional cuts. I think we can be a little bit more lean and a little bit more efficient. Not necessarily mean cutting jobs, but not necessarily mean cutting services, just through efficiency,” the mayor said.
Guilfoyle said department directors and elected officials should find ways to cut waste while retaining employees.
“Any department directors or any elected officials, if the budget has to be cut more, you’ll find a way of doing it while retaining your employees. It just, you cut out the waste,” Guilfoyle said.
Clark said the decisions will set the tone for how Augusta operates going forward.
“We’re gonna balance the budget, but we’re also setting the tone for how Augusta does business,” Clark said.
The mayor said the path forward requires compromise.
“The path forward is just a compromise. It’s a combination of both,” the mayor said.
Commissioners will meet Dec. 16 to work on balancing the budget. State law requires them to complete the task by the end of the year. Both the mayor and several commissioners said they are confident it will be done.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man has been arrested after he was accused of hitting two women at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta.
The incident happened on May 14 around 12 a.m.
According to arrest warrants, Bruce Bland struck one victim with a closed hand several times in the face. Bland also threw a garbage can at the victim, hitting her in the head.
The warrant states the victim suffered a bruise on her face.
Bland also hit another victim with a closed hand on her mouth, according to the warrants. She suffered swelling and a bruise on her mouth.
Bland is charged with battery and simple battery, according to the warrants. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Education30 seconds agoVideo: Can California Convince Teens to Work in Construction?
-
Technology13 minutes agoBackrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 million opening day
-
World15 minutes agoHamas struggles to fill leadership ranks as Israel hunts Oct 7 terrorists
-
Politics21 minutes agoAnti-ICE agitator charged with allegedly biting officers during Delaney Hall clashes
-
Health28 minutes agoWhat to do if someone is having a stroke, after Jill Biden revealed debate-night fears
-
Sports30 minutes agoDispatch audio reveals what was heard inside Josh Jacobs’ home before alleged domestic violence arrest
-
Technology36 minutes agoCab-less electric trucks hit Ohio roads
-
Business43 minutes agoVince McMahon and others are sanctioned for destroying evidence in WWE shareholder lawsuit
