Augusta commissioners have a busy governing week that begins with a Monday budget retreat.
Held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the newly-remodeled Bell Auditorium, the retreat is open to the public.
In the morning, the agenda includes accomplishments, the 2024 legislative session, the 2025 budget and a human resources update. The afternoon will include breakout sessions. Prior retreats have used these for department heads and other entities to highlight their needs.
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Tuesday runoffs for sheriff and superior court judge will cost taxpayers an estimated $190,000, according to an item going before the full commission at its regular Tuesday meeting. The largest expense is an estimated $74,000 needed for poll worker salaries.
Engaging UHY Advisors Mid-Atlantic to audit Augusta Parks and Recreation is on the Tuesday agenda again after receiving no recommendation May 28 and June 4.
Several commissioners have raised questions about the appearance of a third audit vendor, UHY, last month after the commission agenda was published. An accompanying revised bid tabulation shows UHY’s proposed fee was second-lowest, behind Baker Tilly US and second-best in scope behind Marcum LLC.
Marcum’s estimated fee is $141,000 for 720 hours of work while winning proposal UHY’s is $71,700 for 308 hours.
Commissioners will begin the 2 p.m. meeting by presenting a resolution honoring Augusta native and pro golfer James “Jim” Dent.
They will vote on a request from Mayor Garnett Johnson for the commission to appoint initial members of the Greater Augusta Joint Development Authority.
The commission voted to approve creating the joint authority with Columbia and Burke counties last month.
Burke’s two representatives are the chair of the Burke County development authority and the authority’s executive director. Augusta’s would be Augusta Economic Development Authority Executive Director Cal Wray for a term expiring at the end of 2029 and AEDC Chairman Wayne Gossage for a term expiring in 2027.
Thursday, the commission has a three-hour work session to discuss special purpose, local option sales tax 9.
