Commission names charter review committee appointees; Carl Vinson to support process, appointments pending vetting

Mayor Garnett L. Johnson and commissioners announced members the commission selected to serve on the Augusta-Richmond County Charter Review Committee and confirmed that the Carl Vinson Institute of Government will provide procedural support.

The mayor read an appointments list that included the mayor’s appointee, Roderick Pearson, and an appointee for each district. Commissioners confirmed names for the record and asked staff to verify that none of the appointees holds an office or permanent board role that would make them ineligible under the adopted resolution; the clerk and legal staff will perform that vetting.

Attorney Plunkett said he and Carl Vinson have prepared sample bylaws (drawn from other jurisdictions) and will provide drafts the committee may adopt; he emphasized that the committee — not the commission or Carl Vinson — will adopt its own bylaws and set its agenda. The Carl Vinson Institute will help manage logistics, public meeting notices and minute-taking support.

Commissioners raised timing concerns. Carl Vinson indicated it believes a December deadline might still be achievable but that the committee’s schedule and the complexity of topics could extend the timeline; several commissioners asked to see the resolution that established the committee and to ensure the administrator and the clerk are included in communications. Commissioner Alan Mason and others requested staff ensure appointees resign other authorities if the adopted resolution requires that.

Clerk and legal staff said they would check appointees’ board/authority status and return to the commission with any conflicts and next steps. The commission did not take a final vote on the committee’s bylaws or schedule at the meeting; it authorized staff to coordinate next steps and to call meetings to begin the committee’s work.