The Columbia County Board of Commissioners signed an intergovernmental support agreement with the United States on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Doug Duncan and Fort Gordon Garrison Commander Col. Shaw Pick signed the agreement between the county and the United States The agreement gives roadway maintenance supplies and services to Fort Gordon. The board voted to approve the agreement in its Oct. 5 meeting.
Duncan expressed appreciation for the opportunity, emphasizing that Columbia County’s is able to help Fort Gordon because of how much qualified personnel are in the county’s staff. He also indicated the agreement could save taxes for residents.
“We’re able to actually save the taxpayers significant money by helping Fort Gordon purchase the road work that they need,” said Duncan.
Duncan said that the county could save about 30% to 40% of what Fort Gordon spends on road maintenance, which Shaw estimated would be approximately $1.5 million per year.
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The intergovernmental spending agreement is good for 10 years, though it must be approved annually by both the Board of Commissioners and the United States. Terms of the agreement include Columbia County acting as the primary financial agent, supplier and receiver for Fort Gordon. The county will also accept and process the installation’s purchase orders and invoice Fort Gordon for goods and services.
Fort Gordon agreed to reimburse Columbia County for all supplies, equipment and services ordered and pay the county an administrative fee of 8% per order.
“Fort Gordon’s very excited about this,” said Pick. “This is our first significant IGSA that’s going to help the Columbia County team, but more so the American taxpayer. It’s not that often an installation can reach a mutually supporting agreement with a surrounding municipality.”
Pick noted that the intergovernmental support agreement was three years in the making. The garrison’s plans and integration office is seeking opportunities to acquire support for the installation from nearby areas.
“We interface with the two-state seven county region every day. That’s our job,” said Pick about the Plans, Analysis and Integration Office’s role in developing the agreement. “We see where there’s a potential overlap of capability and requirements, what we can do for the community or the community can do for us.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
