Page 8 - 2025 Augusta Annual Report

Administrator’s Office

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EMERGENCY
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DEVELOPMENT AND
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LEADERSHIP
Hurricane Helene Recovery: Identified funding Training and Succession Planning: Delivered
for enhanced mosquito control measures, Succession Planning Training and launched First
developed long‑term recovery measures, and Line Supervision Certification Training (starting in
continues to identify cost‑recovery opportunities. 2026).
Public Safety & Criminal Justice Staffing Strategic Planning: Administration facilitated
Initiative: Collaborated with District Attorney’s strategic planning sessions with the Commission
Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the and Department Directors to refine Augusta’s
Public Defender’s Office to address salary issues vision, mission, goals, and performance
and improve staffing levels. measures. The information from these sessions
will be utilized to outline Augusta’s priorities for
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FISCAL STEWARDSHIP AND POLICY the next three years.
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REFORM Leadership Retreat: Hosted a retreat for
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Directors and Deputy Directors to strengthen
2026 Budget Approval: Successfully passed a leadership capacity.
budget addressing a significant deficit. Director Evaluation Matrix: Received
Local Homestead Exemption (HB 581/850): A Commission approval for a standardized
local homestead exemption bill was passed by the evaluation framework for department directors,
Georgia General Assembly for Augusta‑Richmond with evaluations to begin in January of 2026.
County and later approved by voters in the Director Hiring Strategy: Developed a
November 2025 referendum, providing meaningful formalized process for hiring new directors.
tax relief for residents. Departmental Reviews: Conducted
Lodging Tax Authorization (HB 498): Secured organizational reviews and oversaw the creation
legislative approval to raise the lodging tax to a of SOPs for direct report departments.
maximum of 8%. The additional revenue supports
tourism marketing through Destination Augusta, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND
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funds the new arena via the Coliseum Authority, C U L T U R E
CULTURE
and provides unrestricted revenue for the city.
Budget Engagement: Conducted budget surveys Climate Survey: Completed Augusta’s first
and forums to gather community input. organizational climate survey, gathering employee
SPLOST Transparency: Provided website updates feedback on workplace culture, leadership, and
on projects and expenditures for SPLOST 7 and 8. job satisfaction.
Policy Improvements: Streamlined the credit card Staff Communication: Held regular meetings with
policy and revised NGO agreements to include maintenance staff and direct-report departments
updated performance metrics. to establish clear expectations.
Combined Retirement and Holiday Party: Hosted
a cost-effective staff celebration.
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