AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After weeks of discussing the mayor’s credit card spending but not taking action, Augusta commission members made a decision Tuesday.

They voted to reimburse Mayor Garnett Johnson for confirmed legitimate city expenses he charged to his personal card.

To avoid future problems, the city will issue him a municipal credit card while it develops a policy on the use of the card.

FRONT COVER:

The city administrator, purchasing department and legal department will develop the proposed policy after a review of the current policy.

“I mean, when you look at other mayors who have up to $20,000 and $50,000 in the state of Georgia, when you look at the marshal with a $20,000 limit, I think $15,000 is more than reasonable,” Commissioner Sean Frantom said.

The goal is to have a policy developed by September 24.

The move follows weeks of controversy after the mayor sought reimbursement for several expenses.

The motion was passed at Tuesday’s meeting, with Johnson recusing himself.

“We give him the money back and then we fix the policy. We can’t allow the mayor’s office to continue doing business the way they’re doing,” Commissioner Tony Lewis said.

The mayor raised the subject with the commissioners a few weeks ago.requesting more than $40,000 to cover various expenses over the past six months.

We requested all receipts issued by the mayor during this period. These expenses include conference travel, office supplies and more. Among the expenses:

• Over $2,000 for the Mayor’s reception at the Masters.
• Nearly $4,000 in the Masters gift shop for guests.
• Nearly $18,000 combined for Masters food and parking.
• More than $2,400 for a state dinner at the White House.

He said he charged the expenses to his own card because he did not have a city-issued card.

Also present at the meeting

Augusta Transit Assistant Director addressed the commission to recognize September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Highlighted page Zero prostate cancera support group that offers camaraderie, support and resources.

A group of six or seven men stood up at the meeting when Page asked members of the prostate cancer movement to stand.

According to Page, a man dies every 15 minutes in the United States from prostate cancer.

“Black men are twice as likely to die because they keep it a secret,” he said.

According to Zero Prostate Cancer, one in six black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to one in eight men overall.

“Early detection saves lives,” said Page, himself a prostate cancer survivor.

He said the support group meets once a month at the Richmond County Library.

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