Augusta’s administrator presented a revised but less specific project list Thursday to fund using special purpose, local option sales tax 9. The 1% tax goes for voter approval Nov. 4.
The new package adds in funds requested by commissioners at a Tuesday work session, such as $18 million to expand Augusta Convention Center. It reduces or eliminates funds for several building projects, a veteran cemetery and public transit.
All told, the new package totals $407 million, a reduction from the $426 million in projects Administrator Tameka Allen presented two weeks ago.
Allen said the new package will take about six years to collect. Collections are set to begin when SPLOST 8 is complete, late next year.
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The revised package leaves intact most of the largest projects Allen previously recommended, such as $65 million for a new jail pod and $25 million to run industrial sewer to the new McCombs Road mega-site.
Funds added in include $1 million for demolition of blighted structures and $4.5 million for May Park. Both were items requested Tuesday by Commissioner Jordan Johnson.
The revised package includes $8 million for the Riverwalk and a rebuild of the dilapidated riverfront Boathouse, an increase from the $3 million previously recommended. In adds in $4 million for Wilkinson Gardens drainage.
Also added in were $5 million for Willis Foreman Road sought by Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle. The funds will “get that project completed,” Allen said. Another $3 million requested by Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice was allocated to complete a Walton Way project.
To make the additions, several projects had to be cut, such as $7 million for one of two fire stations requested by Chief Antonio Burden, Allen said.
In the area of recreation, funds for Diamond Lakes Regional Park were reduced in the new list from $7.7 million to $5 million. A $2 million Augusta Soccer Park project was removed. Funds for the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam were reduced from $4.3 million to $1.3 million.
Grouped by category, quality of life projects overall were reduced from $65.9 million to $60 million. Funds for public safety were lowered from $113 million to $105.7 million.
An animal services building upgrade was reduced from $5.5 million to $2 million, according to the handout. A new fleet maintenance facility was cut from $15 million to $5 million. A $6.6 million request for a county coroner’s building was eliminated. The specifics of other cuts or additions were not included in Allen’s presentation Thursday.
Only three commissioners and Mayor Garnett Johnson attended the Thursday SPLOST 9 work session, and the commission has just a few days to get the tax renewal on the November ballot. The commission needs to approve the package by an Aug. 5 meeting or they can call a special meeting for Aug. 12, Allen said.
