AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Under city code, commissioners set this meeting as the deadline for approving next year’s budget, but the budget battle rages on.“I have looked over this budget book, and read everything I need to see and what I’m seeing is it is not ready to be finalized,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.Big reason for many is the proposal for a property tax increase to offset a nearly $20-million-dollar shortfall.The hike would increase the taxes on the average home by more than $120.
The Administrator said most of the tax increase would be used for the nearly $10 million increase for the Sheriff’s Office budget, but commissioners have questions.“What would they do if it’s for a year, five years? And if we do it for a year, what would happen after it goes away,” said Commissioner Francine Scott.The administrator told commissioners that without a tax increase, 100 to 200 jobs would need to be eliminated.
“Is there room to cut yourself to a balance budget but itself?”…