Augusta pushed forward with plans for a new grounds management department at an Aug. 4 commission meeting. But commissioners voiced worries about funding shortfalls and whether the plan can last. City Administrator Allen presented a transition plan for the proposed Augusta Grounds Management Department.
The draft budget totals $8.1 million. It’s built from existing expenditures across multiple departments. Allen said about $2.1 million comes from existing staff costs for positions that would transfer into the new department. Another $5.8 million comes from current contracts paid across Parks and Recreation, Central Services, and Engineering.
District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson said long-term financial sustainability is his main concern. “If we’re not funding our expectation, what we expect to happen just simply won’t happen,” Johnson said, per WRDW. “Cemeteries aren’t getting cut because we’re not funding cemeteries.”…