AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Augusta charter is called the city’s constitution, and now 11 people appointed by commissioners and the mayor are tasked with recommending changes to it.

“Good open communications back and forth and I have to remain very optimistic for where we are going,” said Marcie Wilhelmi, who was appointed committee Chair.
The Charter Review Committee voting to follow the commission lead when it comes to approving items, six votes will be needed.
Former Commissioner Ben Hasan said the standard should be higher than six because some recommendations will be controversial.
“Seven is fine, but eight would make it what the commission always looked at when it came to having something to do with this charter. Even though they are a recommending body, they should have raised the standard for themselves,” said Hasan.
But the Committee Chair does not have concerns about only six votes.
 “It’s a very diverse group of people they were selected faithfully by their commissioners and I’m just going to place my trust in the American system of doing things majority rules, said Wilhelmi.
One thing commissioners are allowed to do is have their cell phones on during meetings, but the charter committee following a motion by Charlie Coleman voted to turn them off.
“I think it’s inappropriate for individuals to get text messages or guidance what to bring up in the meetings and to expedite what we were sent here to do,” he said.

The committee will go over the city charter from top to bottom recommending changes. Those recommendations will go to the state lawmakers and if they approve, the changes will be placed on the ballot for voters to decide.