Commission adds referendum language to charter-review resolution; motion passes unanimously

The Augusta Commission voted unanimously to amend its charter-review resolution to include language that any changes recommended by the Charter Review Committee would be submitted to a citywide ballot referendum for voters to approve or reject.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson introduced the amendment, saying the intent was to ensure the final recommendations from the Carl Vinson Institute–assisted review and the Charter Review Committee reach voters as a referendum. Multiple commissioners, including Alvin Mason and Don Clark, emphasized that changes to the city charter should be decided by the electorate and urged a comprehensive approach to the full review process.

Attorney Turner Plunkett advised the commission that the better practice would be to direct the Carl Vinson Institute to draft referendum language and that calling the referendum is a separate process the commission would take when acting on the report. Commissioners agreed to add specific language making clear the expectation that the report would lead to language suitable for referendum and that the commission intended final action to be placed before voters.

The clerk recorded the motion as carried unanimously. The commission also confirmed that the Carl Vinson Institute of Government would be engaged to lead the review and that each commissioner, plus the mayor, will designate a citizen representative to serve on the Charter Review Committee.