Augusta Government Provides Update on Parks and Recreation Audit

City says preliminary response received on Housing and Community Development Department audit, with no criminal findings but systemic issues identified.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The Augusta government provided an update on the audit of the Parks and Recreation Department, stating that an executive summary was received but the full audit report is still in draft mode. While the audit found no criminal activity, it uncovered systemic issues rooted in outdated policies and weak internal controls within the department. The city has also received a preliminary response related to an audit of the Housing and Community Development Department and has requested additional information to ensure clarity and accuracy before the process moves forward.

Why it matters

The audits of the Parks and Recreation and Housing and Community Development Departments in Augusta highlight ongoing efforts by the local government to improve transparency and address longstanding issues within city operations. The findings underscore the need for the city to modernize its policies and strengthen internal controls to ensure proper oversight and accountability of taxpayer funds.

The details

The Parks and Recreation Department audit found no criminal activity but uncovered serious problems, including outdated policies that haven't been updated in over a decade, inconsistent bookkeeping, confusing ledger codes, and gaps in how spending was tracked. The Housing and Community Development Department audit also revealed systemic issues, leading to the city having to pay back millions in federal grant money that was not spent as intended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city is now working to reorganize how it handles grass cutting and maintenance, as well as review and update policies, particularly around monitoring and financial controls, in the Parks and Recreation Department.

  • On February 4, 2026, Augusta Commission members received an update on the audit of the Parks and Recreation Department.
  • In November 2025, Augusta Commission members held a budget workshop session with much discussion about the Housing and Community Development Department.

The players

Tameka Williams

Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Augusta, who emphasized the department's commitment to moving forward and updating policies and procedures.

Hawthorne Welcher

Former Housing and Community Development Director for the City of Augusta, whose exit sparked the audit of that department.

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What they’re saying

“We've looked at our policies with a fine-tooth comb, seeing what we need to update as far as monitoring and controls of our finances, how transactions come in, making sure that we are maintaining accountability.”

— Tameka Williams, Parks and Recreation Director (WRDW)

“We're doing better. We're trying to improve, and this is how we improve. We hear what has happened and then we change so we can move forward.”

— Tameka Williams, Parks and Recreation Director (WRDW)

What’s next

The city has requested additional information from Cherry Bekaert, the firm conducting the audit of the Housing and Community Development Department, to ensure clarity and accuracy before the process moves forward. The city also plans to provide further updates once the requested information is received and the audit is finalized.

The takeaway

The audits of the Parks and Recreation and Housing and Community Development Departments in Augusta highlight the city's ongoing efforts to improve transparency and address longstanding issues within its operations. While the findings uncovered no criminal activity, they revealed systemic problems rooted in outdated policies and weak internal controls, underscoring the need for the city to modernize its procedures and strengthen oversight to ensure proper accountability of taxpayer funds.