What a difference five years makes.
In 2004, Augusta commissioners so bloated a special-purpose sales tax package with pet projects that it failed at the polls. On Thursday, the commission asked City Administrator Fred Russell to cut the upcoming sales tax list even more than he already has.
His recommended list totals $184.7 million, with 67 percent of it for infrastructure projects. The commission voted 6-2 -- with Betty Beard and J.R. Hatney opposed and Corey Johnson and Alvin Mason absent -- to have Mr. Russell come up with a package totaling $181 million.
"We shall roll up our sleeves and continue work," Mr. Russell told them afterward.
Commissioner Don Grantham suggested the figure. The smaller the package, the less time it takes to collect money for various projects. Mr. Grantham said he's worried that if the economy doesn't improve and collection of the penny sales tax slows, projects might cost far more by the time the money arrives.
That was the case with the Reynolds Street trade, exhibit and event center, which had $20 million allocated for it in the 2005 sales tax package, but wasn't approved by the commission until 2007 and is now projected to cost up to $40 million. (But $20 million to build it was far-fetched to start with, Mr. Russell said after Thursday's meeting.)
Commissioner Calvin Holland said he still wants to have $6 million to $8 million added for redevelopment of the Regency Mall site. An earlier list included $8 million to buy and raze the defunct mall, but because its owner wants $50 million that item was cut and replaced with $2.5 million to create a 13-acre lake in the vicinity of what's now Regency Boulevard.
Mr. Holland, who says the city could work with the current owner to revitalize the area, said that with other cuts the money could be restored and the list could still total $181 million.
While commissioners seem intent on giving voters a tight package, they're not ready to settle on one yet. Commissioner Joe Jackson moved to approve Mr. Russell's $184.7 million list as final. The motion failed 4-3-1, with Jerry Brigham, Mr. Grantham and Jimmy Smith opposed and Mr. Holland abstaining.
The commission did decide in a 7-1 vote -- Ms. Beard abstained -- to require nonprofits and other outside agencies getting sales tax money to raise matching funds this time around and to have a timeline for getting their work done. They must have on hand 25 percent of the total funds they're to be given before the city will start paying them, and they have to spend their money within two years of the date SPLOST 6 collections stop.
Collecting $184.7 million would take an estimated five years, ending in September 2015, so the groups would have until 2017.
Sandra Self, executive director of the Augusta Symphony, told commissioners she likes the 25 percent requirement "because it shows responsibility." The symphony is to receive $5.1 million toward the $12 million restoration of the Miller Theatre, so it would have to raise $1.5 million before payments could start.
Ms. Self said she's nervous now that Mr. Russell will be looking at the arts in making cuts.
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Augusta Commission will hold another special-called meeting on SPLOST 6 on Feb. 19 and could vote on a final list. They could choose City Administrator Fred Russell's recommended $184.7 million list or the alternative $181 million one he's been charged with creating. If commissioners haven't decided on a list by March 3, the special election scheduled June 16 will have to be pushed back to September or November.
Comments
It's about the same price as a hair doo at a fancy saloon. Vote on a SPLOST that Richmond County Residents have to vote on? Threaten them by saying "if the SPLOST doesn't go through, I'll raise have to raise your property taxes" I think I've heard this line of BS before. Augusta, don't fall for the banana in the tail pipe again for the umpteenmillionth time!!!!!!!!!!!
Now will the pond hold water in, or will it turn that side of South Augusta into a lake itself. Anyone remember (not asking transplants and 15 year-old drivebys) the 1990 flood, that made the intersection of Deans Bridge Road and Gordon Highway a river (and sending Corky Bell's Seafood Restaurant to the sea, literally)? It's on a steep hill, and gravity has a novel way of making water travel to the lowest elevations! Furthermore, is the 1 cent tax option for APT in this sales-tax proposition?
It seems like the Cmmissioners are on the right path as far as standing up to Fred Russel. Ya'll please don't let him trick you into approving his plan again, it never works. He says vote SPLOST or your property taxes will go up and they do anyway. Am I wrong anyone???????
Isn't it awful that the private clubs will have to chip in? If we are going to give money to non-profits, why don't we invite the LYNX back and pay them? After all the LYNX had as much attendance alone as all these others combined? Non profits and their private boards are nothing but taxation without representation. If they are so in demand by the populace let them pay their own way through ticket sales.
Augusta Resident, you are by far the most ill informed individual I have yet to run across in this town. Property taxes go up when the Commission approves an increase, not because the Administrator says so. No SPLOST and yes your taxes will go up because there are essential operations funded through SPLOST. Take a look. Fire equipment, law enforcement vehicles, roads, road maintenance, infrastructure maintenance.
Too many here are transplants and only here because they have nothing else to do (and why we have these driveby clowns). They wouldn't know Augusta from Miami, as too many probably think they still live in Florida or whatever planet they came here from. They need to go back home. LYNX didn't get popular support as it's a northern sport that is as foreign as curling, it can't compete with sports played in school and in the rec departments. Want hockey? Go back home for it -- and take the other "ya'll" transplant dummies with you!
If you think small you'll get small results. If the reps from this area South Carolina included are worth their salt,with the amount of money washington is set to release there should be no project out of reach. Augusta should never have second rate facilities.We have way more to offer than that!!Area officials get on your jobs. Go get us the money!!!!!!
gee sandy your an old codger...aren't you?
The plan to take taxpayer money and build a lake next to the vacant Regency Cinema building is insane. SandyK has a good post about only one problem with the idea up above. Tell your commissioner to keep any Regency Mall projects out of the SPLOST package!
Why isn't the most important public safety issues talked about ?Crime is the ugly obstacle in Augusta that is running decent people out. Our Richmond County Sheriffs department needs funding for a computer software upgrade that will give instant crime related information for any area of Augusta. There will be crime but awareness is necessary to work to push out the criminal element. Check this Savannah GA crime mapping tool: http://www.metrocrimemaps.org/
We also need a map to show where section 8 clustering occurs. Section 8 clustering leads to more crime in the given area: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/memphis-crime
let me get this straight, they are calling for cuts but the administrator is proposing to build a 13 acre lake near the regency mall at the cost to the taxpayers of 2.5 million dollars????? well now you see why augusta is the laughing stock of the csra and the entire state of georgia...why not turn olmstead homes project over to a developer and the newly renovated homes could then be sold as starter homes and use the 2.5 million to deepen and expand lake olmstead??? it would be one less gov't housing project which money goes in and very little if any benefit to society is realized
So, we are going to cut the Arts to save a lake proposal at Regency Mall? Funny stuff. Also, Don Grantham 'proposed cutting a few million out of 185mil? WOW! He is SO frugal (eyes rolling)
I will wager that even with the SPLOST, your property taxes will go up AGAIN.
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