Tickets for future events along Augusta's riverfront will include a 50-cent surcharge imposed by the Augusta Port Authority to offset the costs for things such as security and wear and tear on facilities.
The catalyst for the fee was a $7,800 bill the authority received from the Augusta Southern Nationals dragboat races committee for security services during the July event.
Frank Carl, the authority's chairman, was furnished a financial statement from the race committee showing the event took in $250,000, which included $85,037 in ticket sales. The committee also donated $3,500 to its designated charity, the Georgia Special Olympics.
Port Authority member Wayne Hawkins said the profit and loss statement showed a very narrow margin that enables the race committee to make a donation. "If we took away $7,800, there goes their whole contribution."
The surcharge, Dr. Carl said during Thursday's meeting, would apply to all future events along the river and not be limited to the annual dragboat event. The authority will also pay the $7,800 from this year's race, Dr. Carl said.
He said the surcharge would be imposed for events held at the two city marina areas, but not at Riverwalk and the Riverwalk Amphitheater, which are not Port Authority facilities. Only events for which tickets are sold would be covered by the new charge. Examples, in addition to the Southern Nationals, would include Day in the Country and Paddlefest, he said.
Also Thursday, the authority agreed to finance another $2,800 in repairs to the New Savannah bluff lock, which is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers but managed by the city of Augusta.
The repairs are needed to curb leaking hydraulic fluids from bearing housings on the 71-year-old structure near Augusta Regional Airport. The city spent about $30,000 on valve repairs earlier this year.
"This is a necessity item," said Jim Bates, the lockmaster who opens and closes the gates for boat traffic. "And right now the city is obligated to maintain that lock."
The authority agreed to fund the repairs, but -- at Mr. Hawkins' urging -- agreed to send a bill to the corps to see if federal authorities would be willing to reimburse the authority.
Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
On Thursday, the Augusta Port Authority also:
- Agreed to organize a meeting among river stakeholders on both sides of the Savannah to discuss options for controlling the aquatic weed hydrilla, which has infested the river channel. Options include dredging or the purchase of a barge-drawn "harvester" that could periodically remove weeds.
- Heard an announcement from Marina Operator Mike Stacy of plans to launch a canoe rental business next spring. Six canoes will be available for rental from the marina area, or they will be transported to various local "canoe trails" that include routes along the Augusta Canal.
- Agreed to contact five city commissioners in districts 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 to remind them of their obligation to designate a member of the Port Authority. Some commissioners, authority chairman Frank Carl said, might be unaware that their elected position includes the opportunity to appoint authority members.
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