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Commission weighs hiring freeze, cuts and limited millage to close FY2026 gap
Summary
With the excise‑tax option removed, commissioners debated alternatives to close a roughly $2 million gap: a limited millage increase (0.85 mills cited for public safety), elimination of a proposed 3% COLA, NGO funding cuts, targeted personnel reductions, a hiring freeze (3–6 months) and transit service adjustments.
Augusta‑Richmond County officials moved deeper into FY2026 budget deliberations on Nov. 25, discussing a package of spending cuts and limited revenue options after administrators presented a balanced‑budget path that still leaves the law‑enforcement fund out of balance.
Administrator presentation and numbers: the administration reviewed FY2026 basics, citing a revenue base presented as about $205.9 million and a proposed total around $221.8 million after adjustments. The staff said net revenue differences and expenditure growth produced the current shortfall and walked commissioners through previously discussed cuts that reduced the top‑line gap to an estimated $19.9 million before additional options.
Options on the table: staff highlighted several measures to close the remaining gap for the general and…
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