[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6198489,"mediaKeyId","3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2","parentId",3846649,"title","Commissioners press for audit of $7.5M in contracts, look at nonprofit funding and land‑bank role in blight reduction","audioSeconds",671,"startMs",10395000,"endMs",11066000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2&start=10395&end=11066","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2/thumbnail_10395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198489/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Commissioners-press-for-audit-of-75M-in-contracts-look-at-nonprofit-funding-and-landbank-role-in-blight-reduction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198489-91c34516e6e704a2a3835ca8bbeceb9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774973456&Signature=KwtAWmuOpZGQnEoBxW5h1S6DTKhk6wAD1Q2GA6wYxG-U~xr-VSibPJ6pzsekai0vWxi0EpK1Pvy85y9AGj1pCy0WQVLsjOhNW~pzWjwF84uVEQVyMXaJv94FCeNljcZGISppMNktqi6NgkqRUWdYGj-bqVGgM~5HWlzXT8Rs-ncEDDSnX8Q0PowXq2yPHAcwspI3iSBh~WpUJXhUkFW48kxFs-cIHzSKttOCJNjuSOv~gIX0mPzKPNyX916YptDJ3hdOELhuXpNRlU7COm1XUt8dtwxVhgpcrFTQ41wn857xkjOQK9nBDiOLZ2hMZuBQ2PTWzsm-xATop8pvtkY4~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-16T17:08:13Z","article","Commissioners used the budget retreat to press staff for a detailed review of the city’s recurring payments to nongovernmental organizations and contractual obligations. Staff presented a list showing roughly $3.2 million in annual payments to nonprofits and an additional approximately $4.3 million in contract obligations.

“I think if with anything, you gotta determine what's the ROI, what's the benefit,” Commissioner (name not specified, referred to during discussion) said after staff displayed the list of nonprofits and contracts. Commissioners asked for documentation showing what outputs or services the city receives for each funding stream and whether contracts include termination clauses or performance metrics.

Several commissioners also pressed for a follow‑up presentation from the land bank to explain property acquisitions, demolitions and whether sales of reclaimed lots are producing tax‑roll returns. One commissioner urged a stronger blight‑removal program and recommended phasing out some city NGO funding over time if the city cannot sustain current commitments.

Background: staff noted many of the contract obligations are multi‑year and include some legally binding commitments (library, development authorities and a number of operating contracts). Commissioners requested a work session with the land bank and for legal/finance to detail which agreements contain termination clauses and what near‑term savings, if any, are feasible.

Ending: Staff agreed to provide a packet breaking down contracts and nonprofit support, to present the land‑bank accounting and to identify which agreements can be amended or terminated under current contracts and law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Augusta Budget Retreat 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners asked staff for a deeper review of recurring nonprofit support ($3.2M) and contracted obligations (~$4.3M), questioned the transparency and return on investment of some grants and asked for a work session with the land bank to explain property outcomes and demolition activity.","taxTitle","Augusta City, Richmond County, Georgia","taxId",3794,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6198494,"Augusta to pay Georgia Power for streetlight audit as city weighs $2.1M streetlight shortfall",294,1370000,1664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2&start=1370&end=1664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2/thumbnail_1370000.jpg","/articles/6198494/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-to-pay-Georgia-Power-for-streetlight-audit-as-city-weighs-21M-streetlight-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198494-2fcf3db596f95988110c409bfc81ee82/orig.mp4?Expires=1774973456&Signature=DKdNWBrWMIYGGkStfKE5OI~Mm3HPD8eZ4O7BeskfanJXhY-HBUygGlqdp-1PMq0F~5qQ~yU2pWp6ZnFzQrdpQI1D-OKC3JpMinUUTGCTYJDyY~Lh-kAjl7k7B0Xl-RShtN~d9LXgzlDyvsAYwOR-OvNMwrz8b3F~IkFlXUruk5P692vAZR~r5dAEvL9YTpN08L7aS80BEsV9rg4PUB05GmvkZk8WBQB-zlIAKrphB0nvSbkFahzJ-L1gfrUKJkx7ugcB1LGNd3EKW0HRLFcPd2MYojHjWZEu7YAirlvYAbN67Tc86uf-O4Fa4z4HUH6O3gOqCOujXml-hI4u0KiJyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff told the commission the streetlight special revenue fund is projected to post a $2.1 million deficit unless the city changes the fee structure or changes service delivery. To inform that decision, the city has engaged Georgia Power to perform a two‑phase energy audit.

“Part of the energy audit… They will determine how many streetlights we own, their condition, and then come back in phase 2 of what they're gonna do to pay,” Interim Finance Director Tim Schreier said. He said the audit will identify lights in the old downtown urban service area and assess ownership and condition. The audit cost cited by staff was $540,000 and would be paid from ARPA allocations already planned for capital usage.

Staff described a potential approach where a third party (Georgia Power or a similar provider) would take over operation and maintenance of streetlights and the city would pay a monthly fee instead of retaining capital and operating responsibility. Commissioners asked about procurement checks and the appropriate engineering oversight; staff said the city’s engineering/traffic group will review the audit findings and any recommended contract.

Why it matters: the streetlight deficit is a material pressure on special revenue funds and may require fee adjustments for citizens or structural changes in how the city provides lighting. Commissioners asked staff to confirm procurement oversight and to return with contract terms and project costs after the audit is complete.

Ending: Staff said the contract for the audit is in legal review and the audit will take time; engineers will assess Georgia Power’s recommendations when the inventory is complete and present options to the commission.","Finance staff said the streetlight fund faces a $2.1 million projected deficit; the city engaged Georgia Power for a $540,000 audit to inventory lights and present buyout/lease options to remove the city from streetlight operations.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6198497,"Augusta transit under review as riders shift; city considers micro‑transit, route study and authority model",204,8933000,9137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2&start=8933&end=9137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2/thumbnail_8933000.jpg","/articles/6198497/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-transit-under-review-as-riders-shift-city-considers-microtransit-route-study-and-authority-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198497-5c22ad0e899fd6eaa58149eb89b11bef/orig.mp4?Expires=1774973456&Signature=Jf1qFSvT6qOs4ku35RGCt~TvHxreHslYWecJkE6iVDj-wHbLS2W6bpS17nVaaGFsNnL0JSp75dmDo9WcCvZEyghrWT-f4RY1ujvb6xaHtIKrP2hGIeEtgv~j8z9uFIsZw8O45E5Dz2pfwwFtQGA8V-GZU1VNU27lAOQMv8tp7-VQdTG9X2KHbxuP4ZQZSsjCWpV-Oy5UyF~Kl~RModCKBJezX9UIzsZBFSRLmeVdeJHlhhRVAn69TEff641byQVCv25lRMQOKpmOAQacSmVR6cBOFW5He4M8WHA5vSrotEo~Br7E7cHUxy5KZX2x2ohfIzeduK3QrHhv3A9FEvRcSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Augusta transit leaders and commissioners told the budget retreat that fixed‑route ridership has shifted and that the system currently receives about $3 million a year in local subsidies. Commissioners and staff described low boarding counts on some routes and said a consultant study will analyze routes, scheduling and vehicle mix.

“Right now the general fund gives $2,200,000 to transit,” Administrator (name not specified) said, adding an additional $837,000 from urban services for a combined local subsidy of roughly $3 million. Commissioners said they want to understand ridership geography and to remodel service to meet demand.

Transit director Miss Daughtry confirmed plans to release a request for proposals for a route study, with an RFP expected in July and work to begin late 2025. Commissioners and staff discussed micro‑transit and smaller vehicles as a way to reduce operating cost on low‑demand routes and to better serve dispersed populations in South Augusta.

On fare technology, commissioners noted the system’s current fareboxes do not support a phone‑based payment option. Staff said adopting mobile fares would require new equipment and investment but could increase convenience and ridership among younger riders.

There was also discussion of a transit authority model to manage operations and increase access to federal funding; staff said moving to an authority could broaden grant eligibility but would require structural and governance changes.

Ending: Staff will issue the RFP for the route study, continue conversations about micro‑transit pilots and provide commissioners with options and cost estimates for fare modernization and governance changes.","City staff and commissioners said the transit system requires service redesign and funding changes: the general fund subsidizes about $3 million a year and staff plan a route study and are exploring smaller vehicles, mobile fares and an authority model to unlock federal funding.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6198501,"Augusta HR: resignations and morale drive record attrition; city rolls out recruitment and training steps",1647,5890000,7537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2&start=5890&end=7537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2/thumbnail_5890000.jpg","/articles/6198501/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-HR-resignations-and-morale-drive-record-attrition-city-rolls-out-recruitment-and-training-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198501-58a8091947b066af7619253997cea19a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774973456&Signature=Is-ygJ07j7VsHQI9urjlgkvnxbV9vByUuziWHwqWgmzgHalHFlh4Tw0g1rDk8SIBBw1Jmq33otkAesJC3hbldB8emls-iDAS9b9Y3g5lbGMf9ED-yjMnVxoT~sgoGXLY2u57LB3qGgwpfe6iavBte1NBJFO5CFy5WJezHMIsmn9P1fxmAeiHbsmih~gLh9mi6-5VNLzhx8gEgHyzB6MnC8-qWjPBq2WAX7RmaA2ueyOq2EUwBoEMxS9aphSR82TX2h8LXtq2qmgmwmLo3K9YrWfqb10PSAyuWtdoaOQLDJYbY5SSJqGV5PGS8HWqKj2xcVB3a9sofQ2m3WQOJdRH9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human resources director Miss Rooker told commissioners the city’s attrition rate has climbed over the past three years and that the timing to fill positions has lengthened, leaving departments understaffed and increasing overtime costs.

“We’re in mid year now in ’25. We’re at 9%,” Miss Rooker said of the current attrition rate and noted a persistent pattern: nearly two‑thirds of separations in recent years have been resignations rather than layoffs. She said 2025 resignation exits were at about 65% to date and that terminations accounted for roughly 17%.

Exit surveys and HR analysis show pay and supervision are the top two reasons employees leave, Rooker said. “One of the number one things that people are leaving us for is salaries. It's pay. The next thing is leadership.” She recommended mandatory exit interviews, increased recruitment presence at colleges and military transition events, and a training rollout aimed at supervisors as well as frontline staff.

Rooker said the city has expanded outreach — more job fairs and stronger ties with local schools and colleges — and will integrate mandatory short trainings into the HR Information System (HRIS) to provide ongoing development opportunities. She urged departments and deputies to partner with HR on succession planning, performance evaluations and career pathways.

Why it matters: commissioners and staff tied the workforce problem to budget pressures. Administrator (name not specified) and commissioners said morale, inconsistent performance evaluations and pay compression have contributed to turnover. Several commissioners asked HR to produce more granular attrition breakdowns (by department, position type and separation reason) and to make exit interviews mandatory so leadership can better track systemic problems.

Ending: HR committed to return with requested breakdowns, to begin mandatory exit interviews, and to embed short, mandatory trainings in the HRIS when it goes live.","Human resources presented data showing rising resignations and longer vacancy fill times; HR proposed mandatory exit interviews, expanded recruitment and mandatory training to address pay and leadership concerns driving turnover.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6198506,"Augusta officials outline 2026 budget shortfalls and hard choices, warn of $6–7M health‑care hit",13101,1109000,14210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2&start=1109&end=14210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846649-90fabd52a77c16a899bf4050fdb7c1b2/thumbnail_1109000.jpg","/articles/6198506/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-officials-outline-2026-budget-shortfalls-and-hard-choices-warn-of-67M-healthcare-hit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198506-a2c014fa5a303d5cc20335de89acf6b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1774973456&Signature=hm2QUYrHGW3Az0vvy9q5wMdorvShIXsq8fvQyaYt0k-Ut9ZqNOw5UYzODs6uLOWxR0TyUCz4lOErPtes7Rps769nMXuJwPfEdRxSgUEUKGU7XgNcepyWBtvHHzALFmDqY0hNpAQFokxdEVORkDcVjHzjFhBS-4nvudE-O-4XtZCby0PbfNXhBjINbGnMlpjmjLMhp6Gut9a0gfnPhNhVXYNoqNQNJN4o11AMtlA4nvZ8o5NAfj6OfWz94Xeybm51fdqXCI~~qctXzgr6eZEGYQlk~AccpXYpImR6RBWON7HS7NmeJ7kXp3XyUZry6efn2~sF8s8nGflxl8FIv3-OVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim Finance Director Tim Schreier told the Augusta City commission at a June budget retreat that the city faces a multiyear budget squeeze that will force “tough decisions” for the 2026 fiscal year, including possible cuts to services, personnel reductions or a property tax (millage) increase.

Schreier said general fund revenues are projected to fall from $127 million in 2024 to about $118 million in 2026 as one‑time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars are no longer available. He said the city currently has about $3 million in ARPA funds remaining that must be spent by the end of 2026.

“The next one is health care costs,” Schreier said. “EPIC is projecting that we’re gonna have a 20% increase in our cost from last year, and that's about 6 to $7,000,000.” He said the projected health‑care overage is across all funds and that the city expects to file stop‑loss claims that could reduce the net exposure.

Why it matters: the general fund is the portion of the $1.3 billion city budget that pays for day‑to‑day services; Schreier said the general fund is about $200 million. He warned commissioners that, absent new revenue, the city will need to either reduce expenditures, cut personnel or raise the millage rate to maintain current service levels.

Schreier and Administrator (name not specified) walked commissioners through the mechanics and timing of the budget process: department submissions in summer, review by finance and administration, public input in July, a formal presentation in October and adoption in November with an effective date of Jan. 1. Schreier said revenues through April were “6% over our budget” for sales tax and TAVT collections but cautioned those early gains may not persist.

Staff identified several major cost pressures that will shape 2026 decisions:
- Health‑care claims: a projected 20% year‑over‑year increase driven by a larger number of high‑cost claimants (Schreier said eight high‑cost claims this year vs. five last year).
- Streetlights: a projected $2.1 million deficit in the streetlight special revenue fund, and a planned Georgia Power audit estimated at $540,000 to inventory and evaluate which lights the city owns and options to transfer ongoing costs to a third party.
- Public safety personnel costs: the sheriff’s office is running personnel overages tied to filling positions; vacancies fell from about 205 last May to about 110 this May, increasing payroll pressure even as overtime stays high.
- ARPA revenue replacement: city officials and commissioners discussed that roughly $7.3 million of ARPA funds were used in recent budgets to replace recurring general fund revenue, and phasing that out creates an ongoing gap.

Staff presented three broad approaches to close the gap: find new revenue (including a millage increase), reduce spending (across‑the‑board or targeted), or a combination that could include one‑time measures. Schreier offered numerical context: a roughly $7.2 million shortfall could mean a 3.9% across‑the‑board reduction in general fund spending or, alternatively, eliminating an estimated 112 full‑time equivalent positions (using a broadened average position cost).

Commissioners pressed staff for follow‑up detail: requests included a line‑by‑line list of positions funded by ARPA, a clearer breakdown of the projected health‑care exposure and further analysis of enterprise fund contracts that might yield savings. Administrator (name not specified) told the commission staff will deliver the requested breakdowns and post updated materials on the city website.

Ending: Staff said they will hold community input meetings and post the updated packet online; commissioners signaled they expect further work sessions and data before final decisions on balancing the 2026 budget are made.","Interim finance director Tim Schreier told commissioners the city faces a structural gap for the 2026 budget driven by rising health‑care claims, streetlight costs and the end of one‑time ARPA revenue, with options including program cuts, service reductions or a millage increase.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners press for audit of $7.5M in contracts, look at nonprofit funding and land‑bank role in blight reduction

Augusta to pay Georgia Power for streetlight audit as city weighs $2.1M streetlight shortfall

Augusta transit under review as riders shift; city considers micro‑transit, route study and authority model

Augusta HR: resignations and morale drive record attrition; city rolls out recruitment and training steps

Augusta officials outline 2026 budget shortfalls and hard choices, warn of $6–7M health‑care hit