Augusta Commissioners voted last year on a final $250.3 million special purpose option sales tax package that was pared down considerably from the original version.
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Many so-called “quality of life” items such as a military museum as well as funding for the Augusta Canal Heritage Area, the Jewish Museum and the Augusta Museum of History were axed, but money to build a water park made the final draft.
The Augusta Commission approved SPLOST 8 by a 7-3 vote.
By far the largest expenditure was for infrastructure as $78.5 million is allotted for drainage and grading, road resurfacing, ADA cutouts and sidewalk maintenance, lake dredging, flood control, right-of-way tree management, traffic operation improvements, traffic safety improvements, the continuation of East Augusta phases four and five and the beginning of East Augusta phases six and seven, according to SPLOST documents on the Augusta/Richmond County website.
New vehicles will be added to the tune of $22. 4 million. These will be replacement vehicles for the Sheriff’s office ($6 million), District Attorney’s office ($100,000), Marshall’s Department ($600,000), Coroner ($40,000), animal control ($200,000) and the Solicitor’s office ($30,000). Another $1.8 million will go to replacement vehicles for the city, according to the Augusta/Richmond County’s list of recommended projects.
Another $19 million has been set aside for building and maintaining government facilities such as the controversial Juvenile Court, a new fleet maintenance facility, Board of Elections and fire stations.
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Another large chunk of money goes to economic development as $46,500.000 is earmarked for blight reduction, retail and industrial recruitment, a parking deck for the Cyber Center and $14 million for the Depot project.
The quality-of-life allocation was slimmed down, but $65.9 million will be spent on area parks, Julian Smith Casino, a new water park, the new James Brown Arena, the municipal golf course and the 5th Street pedestrian bridge.
The city of Blythe and city of Hephzibah are receiving $1.5 million and $7.5 million respectively.
Blythe will use its share of the taxes to cover items such as public safety equipment and vehicles, storm water and road improvements, rehabilitation of blighted properties and libraries.
Hepizabah will spend $2 million of its share on the town center, public safety training and facilities, parks and recreation, and water and sewer projects, both according to the Augusta/Richmond County Commission list of recommended projects.
The money for SPLOST 8 will be spent over a period of six to seven years.
Voters will make the final determination on March 16th.
Scott Hudson is the Editorial Page Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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