Augusta credit card spending limits lower than similar Georgia cities

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A commission committee recommends Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson start using a city credit card, but didn’t decide on what the spending limits should be.

“Pigeonhole the mayor based on his position and a personal vendetta in my mind, I don’t think it’s the right answer. We’ve given specific examples of Savannah, Macon, Columbus – what they do,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.

The mayor has been using his personal credit card to avoid spending limit on city credit cards, which is $5,000 a month.

In Savannah, the mayor has a $50,000 a month limit. There’s a $20,000 limit in Macon and a $10,000 limit in Columbus.

Mayor Johnson wants a $15,000 a month limit and is growing frustrated as the issue persists.

“I find it embarrassing continuing to be in this process and this meeting to talk about how the mayor conducts the business of this city,” said Mayor Johnson.

“It is embarrassing, some of my colleagues want to dig their heels on the mayor and whether they supported him or not,” said Frantom.

The current credit card policy was adopted three years ago and some say what’s embarrassing is the mayor does not want to follow a policy that was in place when he was elected.

“This policy came out of the last administration as the result of that spending so the only thing that’s embarrassing is the fact that we still have departments, and I will say departments just to be kind on camera that refuse to follow the city policy,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.

Augusta leaders seem to be reaching their limit when it comes to getting this credit card issue behind them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.