Sales Tax 8 collections are coming in so rapidly that Augusta will raise the target amount 18 months early, city officials say.
Annual collections projected at $39 million will be $51 million, Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse said.
The 1% special purpose, local option sales tax 8 ends when collections reach $250 million. If current collection rates continue, Augusta will reach the amount Dec. 31, 2026 instead of June 30, 2028, Douse said.
The administrator has prepared a revised SPLOST schedule for spending collections that moves several large projects closer to completion by the end of 2026, such as the Julian Smith Casino and Olmstead Park project and spending $23.5 million on road resurfacing by then.
Augusta commissioners are set to review the new schedule during Tuesday committee meetings.
Arena vote to cost $195,000
In other action, the Finance committee has a vote on advancing $195,000 to Richmond County Board of Elections to fund the Nov. 7 sales tax referendum.
The referendum asks voters to approve imposing a half-cent sales tax to cover construction of a new $250 million James Brown Arena and borrow up to $433 million to make the funds available prior to collections.
Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority is expected to reimburse the city for the election cost, according to the agenda item.
The largest individual expenditure is $62,000 for early voting that starts Oct. 16.
Commissioner calls for jail expansion
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle wants the city to address a shortage of POST-certified prison guards, which officials say are needed to oversee inmate work crews from the Richmond County Correctional Institution.
Guilfoyle also is asking to locate funds to renovate the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and add a new jail pod for inmates. Also lighting improvements at Augusta Judicial Center.
Augusta sales ratio deemed too low
The Administrative Services committee is reviewing a request to appeal the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts’ 2022 sales ratio study for Augusta.
The study, a measure of how property sales prices align with assessed values, found Augusta’s overall ratio at 35.07, based on a survey of some 2,141 parcels.
The ratio should fall between 38 and 42, with the ideal value 40. When the ratio falls outside the range, it allows public utilities to pay at the lower ratio amount and subjects the jurisdiction to fines.
Committee to reconsider right-sizing plan
A committee will review the rightsizing plan recommendations made by Douse last month. The commission has taken no action on the plan, which includes proposals to consolidate various city maintenance functions in one department and sell underused city properties.
Mayor Garnett Johnson has requested having city departments model 5% and 10% budget cuts.
The Public Services committee is scheduled to recommend whether to develop a new food truck ordinance “that is fair to everyone,” including stationary restaurants.
The committee is scheduled to receive information about a $5,000 donation from the Trustees of Oakland Park, which leases Hickman Park to the city. The funds will be used to resurface the tennis court and add lines for a pickleball court.
