What do receipts say about Augusta mayor’s spending?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Receipts obtained by News 12 could shed light on Augusta’s mayor reimbursements.

Questions about Mayor Garnett Johnson’s reimbursement request were first brought up by commission a couple of weeks ago.

Most city department heads have a city-owned credit card, but the mayor uses his personal credit card.

Every little bit adds up.

SEE THE MONTH-BY-MONTH REIMBURSEMENT DOCUMENTS:

Just to note: The mayor is not breaking any policy by asking for reimbursements to his personal credit card.

That’s because there is no policy to address specific requests.

From January to June, the mayor requested to be reimbursed more than $57,000.

We requested all receipts turned in by the mayor during this time. These expenses include conference trips, office supplies and more.

• More than $2,000 for the mayor’s Masters reception
• Nearly $4,000 at the Masters gift shop for guests
• Nearly $18,000 combined on Masters food and parking
• More than $2,400 for a white house state dinner

In a July 16 letter, the city’s finance director, Donna Williams, told the mayor she strongly urged the mayor to stop using his personal credit card for government-related purchases.

She said the same thing in a January 26 letter when the mayor requested more than $41,000 for charges made from Dec. 23, 2023 until Dec. 30, 2023.

SEE THE LETTERS:

Williams also says she spoke to members of his staff in October and encouraged the use of the procurement process.

In the same letter, she attached a link to the city’s policy when it comes to city credit cards.

The mayor asked Williams if it was required for the mayor to have a city-issued card. Williams said it’s not her decision and what is currently being requested is outside of existing policies.

The mayor says his office and the finance department are working through a solution they hope to settle at Tuesday’s committee meeting.

He says he expects to have more to report after that meeting.

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