Delegation wants review of board

Richmond County lawmakers voted Tuesday to move forward with a review of the Coliseum Authority in an effort to determine whether the board that governs the civic center complex needs overhauling or just educating.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ed Tarver and Rep. Hardie Davis, both Augusta Democrats, left the delegation meeting at Augusta Technical College and met with Coliseum Authority members to receive their input about the board.

Delegation members voted 4-0 to establish a process for reviewing the authority's finances, policies and procedures after a discussion at Tuesday's meeting.

Delegation Chairman Quincy Murphy, D-Augusta, and others said they had received complaints about the facility's operations and felt a review is warranted. The Coliseum Authority was created by the local delegation, and the delegation would have to agree to change it.

Sen. J.B. Powell, D-Augusta, said he had seen the authority both as an Augusta commissioner and a lawmaker. He recommended involving Augusta commissioners in the discussions.

"I think if we're going to give this a fair evaluation, we have to have dialogue with all parties involved," he said.

Rep. Wayne Howard, D-Augusta, questioned why the authority "continues to surface as a dysfunctional board."

"Is there an underlying agenda to make it seem like it is not functioning when it is?" he asked. "Some say (the problem) is in the management. Others say it is in the board. I think we need to go on a fact-finding mission."

Mr. Howard proposed bringing in an outside agency such as the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia for assistance.

"I think based on what I've seen that board goes over the boundaries of what they're supposed to do," Mr. Howard said. "To step into management is stepping out of bounds."

He said that perhaps the board should be downsized, but he was not in favor of abolishing it.

Mr. Murphy said that as a former Coliseum Authority member, he knows there is no orientation or training for new members, which he thinks is necessary.