AUGUSTA, Ga. – Mayor Garnett Johnson took the stage at the Rotary Club meeting on Monday, tackling pressing issues and sharing insights with the audience.

A key point of his discussion centered on strategies for balancing Augusta’s 2026 budget, a matter of significant interest to city residents and officials alike.

“Behind the scenes, our commission is deeply engaged in conversations about how we can achieve this goal,” Johnson explained.

Although city officials have managed to shrink the budget deficit to $7 million, they now face the challenging task of closing this financial gap.

The situation is further complicated by the Sheriff’s request for a $7 million budget increase, which was already halved from the initial proposal. Meeting this demand could necessitate a 15% hike in taxes, a scenario that demands careful consideration.

Layoffs are also on the table, and the mayor wants a full audit of all departments to cut down on waste.

“Before I ask the taxpayers for more, I believe we look for additional cuts, or more efficiencies, I think that’s important. Once we find all of those efficiencies, if that conversation leads towards a tax increase, I don’t mind having it. But, I think there’s more opportunity for more efficiency in this government,” Johnson said.

The charter review committee approved an independent auditor position last week to follow the taxpayer’s money.

That would be a new mandated position, which would have an impact on taxpayers.

With a potential tax increase on the line, is that feasible?

“If there’s a misuse of dollars, hopefully that will be eliminated by having that internal auditor position. I believe it should be funded, and I believe the taxpayers of Augusta-Richmond County deserve it,” he added.

The mayor also wants transparency after former Housing and Development Director Hawthorne Welcher resigned back in May.

It came after the federal government told the city it would have to return $6.5 million dollars in federal rental assistance money that was not used.

“It’s time to deliver an answer to the taxpayers as to where those dollars went. If they were misused, if they weren’t, it’s time to let them know,” said Johnson.

The 2026 budget needs to be approved by the end of the year.

City leaders will try again next Tuesday, December 16th.