Public works officials don't expect collection to start for new customers until spring. And some communities will still have to use a private hauler, depending on demand for government garbage collection.

Once the city is able to determine how much trash service will cost new customers, Augusta commissioners will conduct public hearings in their districts to determine community interest, said Teresa Smith, the director of the city's Department of Public Works.

In the meantime, the hauling company that collects 70 percent of the city's garbage - CSRA Waste Inc. - is being investigated by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for fraud. Kester Uzochukwu, the president of CSRA Waste, surrendered to authorities Nov. 19 on charges of felony theft of services.

He has been accused of bilking the city out of landfill fees by mixing government garbage with garbage from the company's private contracts.

The investigation is expected to wrap up in the next three weeks, Sheriff Ronnie Strength said, at which point "massive amounts" of information, including city and company records, will be turned over to the District Attorney's office.

Despite the investigation, CSRA Waste has not been excluded from submitting bids to serve those outlying areas. Such action could be taken only by the city administrator or a majority vote of the Augusta Commission, City Attorney Jim Wall said.

"It's still under investigation," Mr. Wall said. "They're innocent until proven guilty."

In order for CSRA Waste to be barred from bidding, the company must be given notice that the city intends to ban the company, and then there is a period of time when officials have the right to appeal, he said.

Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215.