Speakers from civic groups told the Charter Review Committee they want greater transparency, clearer checks and balances and attention to how a new charter would affect representation and professional city management.

Dr. Gayla Kiese, co‑president of the League of Women Voters of the CSRA, told the committee the form‑of‑government subcommittee had “created duplication, confusion and unnecessary work” after sending multiple similar motions forward without reconciling them. Kiese recounted being asked to remove herself from a subcommittee meeting and said the removal was improper under Robert’s Rules of Order because only the chair can remove a disruptive participant. She urged the committee to recommit to “openness, accountability, and meaningful public participation” and said the League collected themes from a Sept. 29 community gathering: checks and balances, clear authority for a professional manager, budget oversight, an independent ethics board and attention to representation when drafting district structures. Kiese said she provided a written report to the clerk for the record.

Angie Cox, representing the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, urged the committee to consider a city manager form of government to create a clear chain of command and greater operational accountability. Cox recommended establishing a distinct budgeting and financial‑reporting function — a budget officer or budget director — to separate forecasting and long‑term fiscal planning from day‑to‑day accounting. Cox said the Chamber supported the charter review effort and provided the committee with a one‑page summary and a 2022 letter urging a more streamlined, responsive government structure.

Committee members asked follow‑up questions about how a budget officer or CFO would be organized, whether the position should report to a manager or remain under finance, and how common such structures are in comparable Georgia governments. Consultants from the Carl Vinson Institute, who have advised the committee, were discussed as information providers; committee leaders emphasized that the institute’s role is advisory and not directive.

Clerk Bonner accepted the League’s written report for the record and committee members asked staff to provide additional information about the current finance job posting and how it is advertised (CFO vs. finance director).