A ceremony at Monday night’s regular council meeting brought North Augusta a new mayor, one new councilmember, two returning members and a major update from the outgoing mayor.
As he said his goodbyes, Mayor Bob Pettit told councilmembers, city employees and the public that outstanding taxes, special assessments, penalties and interest for the tax year 2019 in the Municipal Improvement District are paid. For tax year 2020, outstanding city taxes and special assessments were collected. All were paid on April 30, 2021.
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“Assessments billed and collected for all parcels for tax years 2019 and 2020 total $1,961,106. That puts us back on track,” Pettit said.
The parcels are part of the Riverside Village development project near the Savannah River. In December 2020, 13 of the properties were sold in a tax sale. The owner, Greenstone Properties, Inc. of Atlanta, had one year to satisfy the debts and keep ownership.
It was Pettit’s final official act as mayor before newly-elected Briton Williams took the oath of office to replace Pettit.
Also sworn in were new Councilmember Jenafer McCauley and returning incumbents Pat Carpenter and David McGhee.
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Pettit and Councilmember Fletcher Dickert did not seek re-election.
After taking office, Mayor Williams announced he has taken steps to institute two of his campaign promises.
Council will meet in a study session on May 10. That is normally an off week for council. Williams wants to hold study sessions on those off weeks so councilmembers have more time to review agenda items and talk about any concerns they may have.
The first “Public Power Hour” will take place on June 7, one hour before a regular council meeting. Williams said it will be time for citizens to talk about items that concern them but may not be included on the agenda.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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