I-TEAM: Here’s why the Augusta mayor’s vote is on the ballot

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Tuesday could also mean a big change in the Augusta government.

Voters will decide on a change to the charter by voting either yes or no to giving the mayor a vote at the commission.

The charter was created when the county and city became one government nearly three decades ago.

Think of it as the game rules for the Augusta government — game rules are very different than any other consolidated government in the state of Georgia.

Politics is like tennis.

It’s your play when the ball is in your court. But Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government rules of the game are like no other in Georgia.

Players can skip a match to delay the game.

In January 2023, Commissioner Bobby Williams chose not to vote.

Voting no would have given an even split, giving the mayor the tie-breaking vote. A yes vote would have approved the contract but since he abstained, he stopped dead in the water.

In 2023, a standstill over naming an EMS provider last year.

Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams?

Williams: Abstain.

In 2024, there was a standstill over naming an administrator this year.

“We went through the process of hiring an administrator through the process that’s in the charter and we followed it to a T,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.

The charter: A legal playbook of power born from a marriage between city and county 27 years ago.

In a May commission meeting, Commissioner Bobby Williams said: “You had basically five white districts and five black districts and to get the sixth vote someone had to work across the aisle.”

Augusta-Richmond County is one of eight consolidated governments in Georgia — one of the four with a mayor.

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The balance of power varies.

The mayors of Athens-Clark and Macon-Bibb have veto powers over the commission.

Mayors of Augusta-Richmond and Columbus-Muscogee have limited power, but Columbus has a county manager responsible for the hiring, firing and management of department heads.

That power falls on our commissioners, meaning each department head answers to ten bosses.

Commissioner Tony Lewis: “Is it a reflection that you are not doing your job, or your department is not doing their job, or things are getting by your department? I mean help me out.”

Donna Williams, finance director, said: “I will certainly take ownership over anything I have control over.”

Meaning commissioners only answer to commissioners.

Commissioner Brandon Garrett said: “I’m just trying to understand we as elected officials are personally able to make changes to building projects that are taking place in our district.”

Commissioner Sean Frantom said: “I think it’s important the citizens support a charter review and I’m convinced, or someone will bring it up in the next few months because it needs to be reviewed.”

For more than two years, an interim administrator has led the city. For more than two years, an interim director has led Central Services in her absence.

The longer time goes by, the longer the line of dominoes.

A Newman Tennis Center spokesperson said, “The neglect of Newman hurt our local players but cost Richmond County millions.”

It wasn’t the conditions or the loss of a tournament, it was an EEO complaint that cost the parks and rec director his job.

Earlier this month, another resignation — the city attorney.

Four of the city’s top leadership positions are now empty left to commissioners to fill.

Frantom said: “I truly believe we need to be more of a city manager form of government. I believe the manager ought to have the ability to do the hiring and firing of the 16-17 department heads that we hire.”

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government presented information to commissioners about changing the role of administrator to county manager in the charter.

A year later, there’s been no movement by commissioners.

Now, there’s a new idea and a new game rule.

“This allows the voters of Richmond County to decide what’s best for their government, not the Commission,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The best players will tell you the only way to win a game is by serving.

We asked Mayor Johnson what’s his first priority if voters vote yes on Tuesday.

He said it’s to make a motion to partner with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government for a charter review.

Carl Vinson Institute of Government, part of the University of Georgia, creates policies and charters for local governments in Georgia.

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