What’s next for the government and leadership of the City of Augusta?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was frustration among several Augusta commissioners on Wednesday.

While some are ready to start hiring top department heads, others are not comfortable with it what happened on Tuesday.

Augusta’s new city manager and the departure of three department heads have caused quite a stir.

The question now is what happens next, as the city has at least four open positions for department heads.

Executives are still trying to figure out what’s next.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said he and the commissioners planned to talk about what’s next for these departments without department heads during their executive session Wednesday.

Leaders were also expected to interview three finalists for the Parks and Rec director position.

None of this happened because not enough commissioners showed up.

“It’s not about Miss Allen. We believe Miss Allen will be a great administrator. We look forward to working with Ms. Allen. But of course we are not exactly happy with how the process went,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.

Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said: “Change is not easy, but from this moment onwards there will be change.”

It’s a change the commissioners can’t seem to agree on.

Four commissioners – Jordan Johnson, Bobby Williams, Tony Lewis and Francine Scott – held their own press conference to voice their concerns.

“This is about doing the right thing, now. We won’t let ourselves be intimidated and won’t let up. If we have to have a press conference about a meeting every day, we will do that,” Scott said.

Finance and procurement are just two departments that lack a permanent leader. Another department, Parks and Rec, for which commissioners are actively interviewing finalists…. At least if enough inspectors show up

“It’s disappointing, but I feel like we’re slowly moving in the right direction,” Mayor Johnson said. “We are at a very important time in our administration as we have budget discussions and conversations about SPLOST 9. “So I firmly believe that we are in capable hands and that we have great leadership on the Commission.”

When commissioners can agree on one thing, they want to serve the city.

It’s all about showing up.

“We needed a change of direction for the city. But tell me one thing that any of these individuals did to justify leaving office other than the power to say no,” said Commissioner Johnson.

Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight said: “We have spoken. Now we are ready to turn our conversation into action. It’s time to see Augusta move forward and bring in some new blood.”

Some commissioners who did not show up to interview the parks and recreation finalists were at the municipal building earlier in the day, including Jordan Johnson, Tony Lewis and Bobby Williams, who showed up for a parks and recreation ribbon cutting Henry Brigham Community Center.

Interviews with the Parks and Rec director finalists will be scheduled at a later date.

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