AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – By a razor thin six to five vote, Augusta leaders approved the 2026 budget.“Feels like in some ways we’re the Grinch, we can’t deliver everything that everyone wants for Christmas,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.The 2026 plan includes no property tax increase, but hit outside agencies hard with a $4 million dollar cut.“I know that there are some folks out there, some organizations that won’t be happy with what happened, but I truly couldn’t support raising taxes in order to fund these extra organizations,” said Commissioner Brandon Garrett.The budget calls for five percent cut to city departments. The administrator said department directors will be making the call on how to do it and whether layoffs will be needed.
“Provide us with the actual impact for their operation based on that reduction, so we’ll see if that includes any respective employees or positions,” said City Administrator Tameka Allen. Commissioner Jordon Johnson, one of five no votes, sees layoffs on the horizon and budget issues continuing.“You mark this conversation in your archives. We’re going to be having it again before the year is over because of the impact of the decision that was made today. It was a very irresponsible decision,” said Commissioner Johnson.City leaders started almost $7 million dollars short, but were able to pass a balanced budget through cuts alone.“Today we were able erase that $6.8 million-dollar deficit by not passing a tax increase. We made some difficult decisions and we created some efficacies,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson…