Augusta administrator to retire; commissioners review 2027 budget, parks sale plan

AUGUSTA, Ga. — An Augusta Commission committee moved forward with a plan to seek a real estate broker to help sell six parks, and committees took up additional funding requests for a downtown project and the Housing and Community Development Department. Commissioners also reviewed the proposed 2027 budget, and Administrator Tameka Allen will retire effective June 30, 2027.The parks motion and both funding requests go to the full commission next week.Parks divestment plan advancesThe Public Services Committee approved a motion directing the administrator to issue a request for proposals to find a real estate broker to help sell six parks described as underutilized.The motion begins the process of finding a broker to assist with potential sales. It does not authorize the sale or closure of any park. It goes to the full commission next week for final approval.The motion excludes A.L. Williams Park, Doughty Park and Vernon Forrest Park from the original list of nine parks.Parks and Recreat