AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) - The Augusta-Richmond County Commission has voted down a proposed full audit into the spending habits of all City of Augusta departments.

That item was one of several on the first Commission agenda for 2022. This is the third time this measure has failed in the past year. 

Commissioners Catherine Smith McKnight initially made the request for a forensic audit, along with Commissioner John Clarke. During the meeting, Commissioner Clarke changed the motion from a forensic audit to a "in-depth" audit. 

She says they aren't trying to single anyone out; they just believe the government should be transparent with its spending. “When it comes down to it and you have citizens of Augusta-Richmond County not trusting our local government, well, it’s our job as commissioners to make sure that we fix that or try to fix that. And I’m going to be transparent as I have been from the get go.”

The vote failed 3 to 6.

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