AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta’s administrator is looking for input as she prepares to sit down with department directors about the 2026 budget that faces a massive shortfall.
“We knew this three years ago when we had money being spent on raises for one-time money, ARP money. That was foolish to do back then. Now, we have to figure out the smart way of having to overcome it,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle.This year’s budget was balanced using $7 million dollars in Rescue Act funds, but for the 2026 budget, those funds are gone.City Administrator Tameka Allen told commissioners there are options like across-the-board cuts, ending money going to outside agencies, like the library, or raising taxes.“None of the options, to me, were good options. I think we’re going to have to go back and really, really look at it,” said Commissioner Francine Scott.Mayor Garnett Johnson said he wants department directors to model how a ten percent cut would impact their budgets.“How it will affect your ability to service our constituents, how will it would affect your department, I think it’s crucial now,” he said.
But the administrator said a 3.9 percent cut would cost 112 jobs.“That seems a lot and I don’t really particularly care for laying anybody off in this time,” said Commissioner Scott.But others do not want a tax increase.“There’s got to be a time we got to say we’re going to look at every five percent cut or ten percent cut for every department,” said Guilfoyle.City leaders are getting an early start on the budget season, one where COVID relief money will not be able to come to the rescue…