Tax increase causes pushback on Augusta’s proposed 2026 budget

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.