The money generated by Augusta's proposed special-purpose sales tax package won't come close to fixing all the city's infrastructure problems. But Mayor Deke Copenhaver says he's hopeful President-elect Obama's economic stimulus plan will help make up the difference.
Engineering Director Abie Ladsen compiled a wish list totaling $417 million for the state Department of Transportation, which asked cities and counties to submit projects that could fall under Mr. Obama's broad vision for reviving the nation's struggling economy. He has indicated his plan, which includes public works programs designed to create new jobs, could cost about $800 billion.
DOT will likely work through the Federal Highway Administration in requesting and allocating stimulus funds, spokesman David Spear said. The department already submitted a list of projects -- most of them state highways, including several in Augusta -- totaling $3.4 billion to the Highway Administration in December.
"It's very much up in the air right now," Mr. Spear said.
Of the $185.3 million in projects on City Administrator Fred Russell's SPLOST short list, $127.4 million is dedicated to infrastructure, including roadwork, bridge repairs, drainage improvements, sidewalk repairs and tree maintenance. Mr. Russell and commissioners are trying to keep the sales tax package lean so the money can be collected in four-and-a-half years, be manageable and be likely to win voters' approval.
Mr. Ladsen told commissioners at a workshop meeting Thursday that the dollar amounts allotted for some projects won't be enough to finish them.
For example, $4 million is set aside for dredging Lake Olmstead. Under questioning from Commissioner Jerry Brigham, Mr. Ladsen said it will take another $2 million to clean the entire lake. On his stimulus plan wish list, Lake Olmstead dredging is down for $5.7 million.
Road projects can be done in increments, he said. The SPLOST list includes $1.3 million for Martin Luther King Drive, again not enough to finish. On the wish list, it's listed at $10 million.
Marvin Griffin Road is listed at $4 million on the SPLOST list and $7.3 million on the wish list. The list for DOT also asks for $83.7 million for Windsor Spring Road and $45.2 million for Brown Road, among others.
"It's a start," Mr. Ladsen said of sales tax proceeds. "You can phase projects."
The city isn't counting on Mr. Obama's stimulus package alone to make up the differences, Mr. Ladsen said. He's also applying for federal grants.
For the stimulus package, DOT asked local governments to submit "shovel-ready" projects that can be started within 120 days. Mr. Copenhaver said he has talked to U.S. Rep. John Barrow about the Obama plan, and it's likely to work similar to a competitive grant program.
Having start-up funds available should help, the mayor said.
"Augusta is very, very well positioned," he said.
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR SPLOST 6
The Augusta Commission is expected to vote Jan. 15 on whether to put SPLOST 6 before voters in a special-called election or wait until the general election in November.
A one-issue election will cost about $80,000, but City Administrator Fred Russell said if the city waits until November and the package doesn't pass, another election couldn't be held until November 2010, which would lead to a lapse in sales tax collections when SPLOST 5 reaches its cap.
Under a schedule laid out by Mr. Russell on Thursday, if the commission opts for a June 16 special election, it would pass a resolution adopting a final project list on March 3. A Sept. 15 special election would have a resolution passed June 2.
If the commission waits until Nov. 3, settling on a final list could wait until Aug. 4.
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