I-TEAM: A look at the costs of search for Augusta’s next fire chief

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - What is the total cost of the fire chief search for you the taxpayer? Our I-Team analysis found possibly $25,000 to $27,000.

The recruiting firm the Augusta Commission hired to conduct the search will be at least $18,000 maybe as much as $20,000. So far the city has been billed a total of $14,108 across two invoices for services rendered by GovHR USA. As the I-Team told you yesterday both invoices are now past due with one more still to come.

This week, we told you City Odie Donald dismissed their recommendations and pulled Antonio Burden to the top despite not making the top 11 out of 51 candidates. We emailed Donald and asked if this was a bad or good investment for taxpayers. So far he has not responded to that question. Also the city fought releasing public records about this job search.

WRDW sued along with other media outlets and prevailed.

Currently the attorney who represented all media says the tab is $7,000 and he will now ask the city to reimburse that bill which is standard to ask of the losing side of a lawsuit.

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