Charter Review Committee empowers Carl Vinson Institute to run public survey, adjusts hearings plan after runoff scheduling conflict

The Augusta City Charter Review Committee on June 25 authorized the Carl Vinson Institute to draft a public survey about proposed charter matters and to distribute it after committee review, a motion the committee approved by recorded voice vote. The decision included direction that committee members be given the draft for review and comment before distribution.

Why it matters: The survey and the public hearings that will follow are a primary way the committee intends to gather community input required to shape recommended charter changes. The vote clears the way for a public-information push and live polling options at community hearings.

Committee member Miss Sheffey moved that the Carl Vinson Institute be empowered to create the survey and provide it to the committee for review and comments by e-mail. Attorney Rex Plunkett, legal counsel to the committee, advised that the body may direct staff to circulate the draft and that the committee should avoid using an electronic vote to adopt questions; he said, “You don't have to vote on having a survey sent out. You could direct that the Carl Vinson receive any comments that y'all may have and they've finalized and send it out.” The committee then voted in favor of the motion; several members cast “yes” votes aloud and the chair announced, “That motion carries.”

The committee and staff discussed delivery logistics for the public input effort. Staff and the Carl Vinson Institute said online distribution would include a shortened URL and a QR code; the research team cautioned against strict IP-address blocking because many legitimate respondents may share devices at libraries or community centers. The committee also discussed in-person options to ensure access for residents without home internet.

Public hearings planned for early July conflicted with Richmond County early voting for a state Public Service Commission runoff and several recreation centers that serve as voting sites would be unavailable. Staff said early voting runs July 7–11 and that the July 15 runoff is the election date. The committee asked staff to seek alternate venues (including school facilities) and tentatively held July 21–22 as backup hearing dates contingent on facility availability.

The committee directed that survey questions be ready quickly and that the Carl Vinson Institute incorporate committee feedback. Committee members asked to review draft questions; legal counsel and staff reminded the committee that formal adoption of survey questions requires public-notice procedures if the committee votes as a body.

The committee’s action followed a brief discussion of survey design: the Carl Vinson team recommended narrowly focused questions that yield actionable results and recommended allowing members of the public to answer at community sites where device sharing is expected. The committee asked staff to post materials on the website and to provide QR codes and shortened links for in-person and online distribution.

Looking ahead: Staff will try to finalize a draft survey for committee review within days; distribution timelines and public hearing locations remain subject to staff confirmation based on the July election calendar and facility availability.