Bridges wins Columbia County tax commissioner seat | The Augusta Chronicle

Wayne Bridges, a certified public accountant, was elected Columbia County’s new tax commissioner on Tuesday, defeating two opponents in a special election.

Bridges will fill the unexpired term of Kay Allen, who resigned in March after a prolonged controversy over fees she was paid by the cities of Grovetown and Harlem for tax collection services.

Bridges said he is ready to get to work on the transition to take over come January.

“The first thing I’m going to do is go to the office and meet with the staff to go over what we need to happen and what next steps we should take,” Bridges said.

He said he also intends to meet with all the county commissioners to discuss their concerns and expectations.

Bridges collected 22,193 votes, or 59 percent, to win the seat. He bested former Gold Cross EMS CEO Tom Schneider, who garnered 8,896 votes, or 24 percent, and Les Walden, retail business owner and director of finance for Augusta Christian Schools, who got 6,441 votes, or 17 percent.

via Bridges wins Columbia County tax commissioner seat | The Augusta Chronicle.