AUGUSTA, Ga. () – A chance was given to change how the City of Augusta operates. The West Augusta Alliance meeting Thursday night updated residents on what may and may not change.

After 30 years, Augustans and local leaders getting a chance to weigh in on what changes they would like to see to the charter.

This meeting was aimed at providing residents with a better understanding of the charter and what it does.

“Think of a Constitution, think of the establishment of the legislature, that is the commission, think of the executive branch which should be the mayor and either the administrator or the manager, we’re leaning towards manager for a number of reasons. Then you have the voters who play their role,” said Marcie Wilhelmi, Chair of Augusta Charter Review Committee.

Many residents spoke at the meeting including Gayla Keesee, Co-President of League of Women Voters of the CSRA.

Keesee says while the committee did answer most questions, a lot of residents are still in the dark.

“Going to the Town Halls, going to the hearings, they are still questioning that process and I think it was not answered today fully, but, it is not in the purview of the charter review committee to make that change,” said Gayla Keesee, Co-President of League of Women Voters of the CSRA.

One of the biggest challenges for the committee has been the discussion of the form of government.

Katie Davis, Co-President of League of Women Voters of the CSRA, explains some of her concerns with this process

“They seem very excited that they had interviewed a number of former mayors of the city and that they unanimously recommended the strong mayor model, well, you ask a mayor if a mayor should have more power, what kind of answer do you think you’re going to get,” Davis said.

The next charter review committee meeting will be on August 21st.