AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – For more than a month, Augusta commissioners have been turning a cold shoulder to the administrator proposed 2026 budget, but there is now a sense of progress.“We take a look at where a compromise can be made, and I think compromise was made yesterday and we’re moving forward,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.City leaders have not embraced the Administrator’s call for a 30 percent tax increase to fill a nearly $20 million-dollar budget hole.The big reason for deficit is the more than $11-million dollar increase in the Sheriff’s budget,Many city leaders don’t support that tax increase, but also don’t want to start cutting public safety.We need more cars on the street, we need more deputies, and so yeah, like I say, when you have people come to Augusta, Georgia, the number one thing they look for is safety,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.This has some city leaders considering a compromise: add to the cuts proposed by the administrator, but instead of a $2 million dollar tax increase, approve a $1 million dollar increase, with the funds going to the Sheriff’s budget.“That is doable. A one mill increase would help and assist in offsetting some of the respective costs that we are enduring for our public safety,” said City Administrator Tameka Allen.The mayor said he’s not in favor of any tax increases, but admits there’s growing support for a compromise.
“There’s others that have expressed the opinion that they could and I think that’s where we are headed to where if those dollars are allocated particularly towards law enforcement,” said Mayor Johnson.
City leaders still have work ahead on approving next year’s budget, but solutions for the Sheriff’s Office are being sought…