Augusta Budget Work Session

Augusta, Georgia’s FY2027 budget work session on October 15, 2026, focused on courts and public safety; no votes or contract awards were recorded. The administrator presented a proposed $28 million in court expenses and $8.3 million in court revenue, with most of the increase attributed to personnel and health insurance. The proposal includes about $175,000 for public defender pay parity. Court and public defense representatives urged the commission to address attorney and staff shortages, saying vacancies delay case resolution and can increase jail medical costs. The sheriff’s jail medical services contract was identified as a major and growing expense, reaching $7.96 million in 2025 and budgeted at $8.3 million for 2026.

The proposed 2027 public safety budget includes $109.3 million in combined spending across the functions discussed, with $47.3 million recommended for the fire department and $96.9 million for the law enforcement fund. Fire Chief Burton presented a recruitment and retention pay plan and capital and equipment needs, including roughly $4.22 million for fire pumps and $779,900 in non-capitalized equipment; the administrator also recommended $27,150 for a Lexapo contract. Commissioners raised concerns about budget sustainability, unfunded positions and fire-station needs. The administrator said no Safer grant funding was included for 2027. The work session continued with public comments and discussion; the budget remained under review.