AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It was time for city leaders to get to work on a budget that has some saying how did this happen. “I’m not interested in any other detail until I can understand how this number grew so large overnight. That's what I want to find out,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson. The City Administrator Tameka Allen said the deficit is years in the making, and with rising costs for law enforcement, health care, and the loss of Rescue Act funds, the city is facing a $20 million-dollar shortfall. The recommendation is a 3 percent cut in spending and the largest tax increase request in years. “I am not in support of an increase in the taxes. We need to look at other ways to do it,” said Commissioner Francine Scott. The city administrator said if there is no tax increase, there would

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