AUGUASTA, Ga. - Augusta-Richmond County Commissioners are reviewing their new options for the 2010 budget. City Administrator Fred Russell presented two different versions for the commission to consider on Thursday.

Option A: Russell proposed increasing property taxes by .1 mil, which means a $3.50 increase on a home valued at $100,000. The money would raise $400,000 to pay for street lights in the county.

The proposal would also include a hiring freeze on positions for six months and cuts in other programs. These changes would balance the general budget.

Option B: Russell proposed a one-cent sales tax increase. This would bring in $35-million for the city and could decrease property taxes for homeowners and create a surplus for the city.

"I think we owe it to the citizens of Augusta to make our government more efficient before we start raising taxes and increasing fees,” said Joe Bowles, Richmond County District 3 Commissioner.

"Trying to run government on the back of homeowners is not doing well. It's not conducive for the homeowner to pay for the entire government," said Russell.

The one-cent sales tax increase would have to be approved by voters and would not take effect until October of next year. Russell tells NBC Augusta 26 News the one-cent sales tax wouldn't help the 2010 budget that much, but would benefit the city in the long run.

Commissioners will meet for another budget workshop on Monday. A final vote won't happen until next July.

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