[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6312372,"mediaKeyId","2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e","parentId",2391039,"title","Commission approves two small claims settlements authorized in closed session","audioSeconds",30,"startMs",9457000,"endMs",9487000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e&start=9457&end=9487","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e/thumbnail_9457000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6312372/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-two-small-claims-settlements-authorized-in-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312372-588563036085f3503ddd653248236cce/orig.mp4?Expires=1776415696&Signature=X1ST6VX02u3rrQkAXJT5sLwkfLqrp6TrXC3KoHEsJflS-hIWfooCq2OS~PxMJwlAra9S9rh~hJcfftof5Pr26M-DsykszYWWUj37tm~TKyCf20dfh8V721GhJ4yGAdoBJG10W5upGLXQnrnXfg~VibPsMFqo~e5uVYLCmHR4zK~JQQGOFNgn3vUinxd9FMLSWK97ecmwP~5r3gwB1Oh8j9HFxQBD-gpkhp25V9aN2xFOk7f6MNGxa3SuSa7KeJEoqrxG02YE57g9nQIKgpLVLfMRGzk-IEhejMOmxoCcPX10IBFe-Z5aQGzzx5F6d-yyEwVHdBaLjLtb1eU~YxXVTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-25T21:24:52Z","article","After returning from executive session, the Augusta City Commission approved two settlement motions authorizing payments to resolve claims related to unpaid additional services.

City Attorney Benjamin Plunkett asked the commission to approve settlements: $6,093.69 to Eddie Coleman and $3,250.20 to Sarah Merriweather, described to the body as payment for unpaid additional services. The motion to settle Mr. Coleman’s claim was moved by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle and seconded by Commissioner Brandon Garrett; the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous. The commission then approved the settlement to Sarah Merriweather on a motion moved by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle and seconded by Commissioner Don Clark; that vote was also recorded as unanimous.

Ending: Attorney Plunkett said those were the motions resulting from the closed session and the clerk adjourned the special call session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Called Meeting/Augusta Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Following a closed executive session, the commission authorized settlement payments for two claims: $6,093.69 to Eddie Coleman and $3,250.20 to Sarah Merriweather, both described as unpaid additional services; votes were unanimous.","taxTitle","Augusta City, Richmond County, Georgia","taxId",3794,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6312377,"Mayor asks staff to vet community offer to replace Wheeler Road gateway trees; commission to review cost and procurement next week",298,18000000,18298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e&start=18000&end=18298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e/thumbnail_18000000.jpg","/articles/6312377/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Mayor-asks-staff-to-vet-community-offer-to-replace-Wheeler-Road-gateway-trees-commission-to-review-cost-and-procurement-next-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312377-dc2245cb8a95e32c77cfb7df9d6ab181/orig.mp4?Expires=1776415696&Signature=ieYnlgARmtYLRLzz-Zble69qiJyxqnnZQoW07UIhdnSh02OHxtTzC99W3m5z2sFVLc2xxKHmlDVu~tTVc6siU-g9Kz4Y2DjjGYgqAqzB5j-93DT5-Kos1bjywlPvurHuzpGUfkA5zTV2kFI77JRsU6QgffAU8CGfz9Cgef8eqJei4f1OupgkBjM1oeWpO6W2X0n0KrEBlFxeI0w12ZNUlt7mKec-SmMAgTEb39m04VK1uOemdvnjRrqUDSmlSFfhWcWfNO8WGDvxSu11gb4JGTZB94V7oYHAhtkcHVm2~XQD5h2k50a-md9zog0g~Ax1oJAy9v7n6O4C0PnPlc1RDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A community stakeholder group offered Tuesday to cover half of the cost to refurbish trees and landscaping along the Wheeler Road gateway from I‑20 through the Bobby Jones corridor; Mayor Jordan Johnson asked staff to return to the full commission next week with procurement and funding details.

Mayor Johnson said the group — which already maintains several local gateways — reported about $33,460 in estimated costs to replace damaged trees, stumps and sod in the Wheeler Road corridor. “They have identified since Hurricane Helene, I think he said 80% of the trees on Wheeler Road were destroyed,” the mayor said, and the group proposed to cover installation if the city funds 50 percent of the cost.

Dr. Malik (engineering/stormwater) said engineering can review the estimate and seek to identify on-call purchase options or sites where the city can provide material or services through existing contracts. Malik indicated the department is preparing a federal-funded corridor project in the same area and could coordinate work.

The commission moved to refer the item to the full commission next Tuesday with staff directed to provide clarification on (1) exact scope and number of trees and landscaping elements proposed, (2) whether the city’s contribution would be cash or in-kind procurement, (3) any procurement or procurement-exemption issues, and (4) potential funding source. The motion carried; staff said they would assemble required details and cost breakdown for the full commission.

Ending: Mayor Johnson and staff described the proposed partnership as a continuation of existing community gateway maintenance and asked staff to identify funding options and any procurement steps required before the city commits cash.","A community stakeholder group offered to fund 50% of tree and landscaping restoration along Wheeler Road (I‑20 corridor) following hurricane damage. The commission asked staff to clarify whether the city’s share would be cash or in-kind and to return to full commission with cost and procurement details.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6312382,"Downtown business owners press commission on Broad Street TIA plans, ask for parking, staging and better contractor communication",3100,14950000,18050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e&start=14950&end=18050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e/thumbnail_14950000.jpg","/articles/6312382/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Downtown-business-owners-press-commission-on-Broad-Street-TIA-plans-ask-for-parking-staging-and-better-contractor-communication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312382-adf4f640d8f114fd91356c89ca014f1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776415696&Signature=Tz~XeSP8PhmIL0rklLTO3SEK5WgitkzoZmGauvtA-D7NZ8ABZks5~uXs4nJln1f95Z5sQfagLqaoQ6eoyrkXkmm3e2Da~uweoN6LdqjINIOysENnI-4yajLhaqJyHfhjGm7F6bH3BGUNL7IHIORCNg18pwT3MFeM~m4jhEIX11n3a48IG00Ji4I528Y0P358E~JKbeX23f404IOH7qmE~w1PfetRnf0rQOHt53q0TXt4cwIrl3tB-XiCoTKfwYoS0nYElxr7bJ4PTecppultKYUqbna1HPVk7hpMZlE7HYcDDOEdvlq4zJ2-eQse~fQGuwyeyvW-e5TpqRQnBaidYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business owners in Augusta’s Broad Street corridor urged officials Tuesday to preserve parking and improve communications as the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Broad Street project advances.

Penelope Ballast Stewart, owner and fourth-generation operator of Luigi’s restaurant on the 500 block of Broad Street, told the finance committee that downtown revitalization has returned customers but that current and planned construction is reducing available parking. “Losing any parking spaces, particularly on Broad Street, would be detrimental to our businesses,” Stewart said.

Staff presentation and studies: City traffic staff summarized three parking studies (most recently 2018) showing consistent patterns: peak parking impacts concentrate roughly between Eighth and Twelfth streets on Broad Street, while nearby blocks remain underutilized. Staff noted that many existing on-street stalls do not meet current vehicle-size or ADA standards and that simple repaving and restriping to current standards would reduce on-street stall counts. The traffic engineer reiterated standard recommendations including better management (time limits/enforcement), signage directing drivers to underused parking decks, and potential additional off-street employee parking.

Commission action and direction: Commissioner Jordan Johnson moved — and Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle seconded — a motion directing the administration and engineering staff to prepare, within 30 days, a plan that (1) evaluates converting Ellis Street to one-way and restriping for angled or additional parking, (2) models time-limited or managed parking options for Broad Street to increase turnover, and (3) provides updated projected net parking-space counts for downtown under revised design options. The motion passed (record shows the motion carried; one commissioner absent for tally).

Key operational questions raised: Business owners and commissioners pressed for (a) construction staging that avoids overlapping downtown projects, (b) prominent signage directing drivers to public decks and alternative lots during closures, (c) contractor door-to-door notification to businesses when work affects alleys or loading zones, and (d) low-maintenance landscaping choices for new green spaces.

Staff response: Director John Usry (engineering) said the design consultant had been asked after stakeholder meetings to rebalance plans to add parking where feasible, and staff will return with a refined proposal. Usry and Dr. Malik (engineering/stormwater) underscored that certain design elements — ADA-compliant stall sizes, stormwater landscaping and multimodal facilities (bike lanes, pedestrian improvements) — are required by current standards and funding rules and can affect stall counts.

Ending: Commissioners asked for monthly or near-term stakeholder meetings between staff, the DDA and the business community while the project proceeds. Staff agreed to provide updated parking numbers and a 30-day action plan to the commission.","Business owners urged commissioners and staff to preserve on-street parking and improve construction communication during the Broad Street Transportation Investment Act (TIA) project. Commissioners directed staff to produce a 30‑day plan covering one-way conversion of Ellis Street, timed parking options and updated parking-space counts.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6312387,"Commission approves federally funded paratransit van after service complaints; administration reports additional vehicles and staffing steps",107,9547000,9654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e&start=9547&end=9654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e/thumbnail_9547000.jpg","/articles/6312387/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-federally-funded-paratransit-van-after-service-complaints-administration-reports-additional-vehicles-and-staffing-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312387-f654f5a3bfb89e9dd23e05dfb4290a39/orig.mp4?Expires=1776415696&Signature=iFrk-cYSDFk6Pq2hm7aq9hWR7egLxPUYwLKgxxO4AgmJoePh2rLiYzdf4Z7rP6xARPK~M9OdnDyOBCxJdCyMU8B-uinylUnjfJdUl02ecxd3yDMdiscmGM8xhdgCx2INbks6PiZelAGczGpeVbDR~-udEnR2RNZ9np-GMZNPtXOOu54Wfh9xELFMU774fzyGY5SyliCz32-r90s1DCGPxPvsBry6xAwP-9MGkJVl9NHEsUHvm~~bHU-4Y6SvaAnzvo3qV7ccp89B1MmSyXOC3mtF3DYNOQT3EeDOSAdppSMM1d8owiEIOu8RExKacZHHBsCE~R7umblQVAAZLRoQZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Augusta City Commission approved a one-time purchase of a paratransit vehicle costing $85,930, funded entirely through federal appropriations, after staff said the extra vehicle would improve response times for riders who rely on ADA paratransit.

Administrator Mona Allen briefed the commission that the transit department had identified a vehicle that could be available by March 10 and that the purchase would not require city funds because federal dollars would cover the cost. “We looked into what we could do to make sure that we alleviate those problems not only for Mr. Scuse but for everyone else that utilizes paratransit,” Allen said.

Commissioner Brandon Garrett moved to approve the purchase; Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice seconded the motion. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous. Commissioners asked staff for the exact cost; Administrator Allen reported the vehicle price as $85,930.

Operational follow-up: At the public services committee, staff reported two additional vehicles were being processed to join the fleet and that contractor and city staff were addressing driver staffing to ensure vehicles are operated when needed. Transit contractor representative Mr. Mack and transit staff member Miss Dougherty were present; staff said Mr. Scuse had been riding paratransit without further reported problems since the operational changes.

Decisions and direction: The commission’s approval authorizes procurement of the identified vehicle using federal appropriations and directs transit and procurement staff to complete acquisition and to continue monitoring service levels and staffing.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to monitor paratransit through the city’s 311 reporting mechanism and provide updates to commissioners if problems recur.","Augusta commissioners approved purchase of a transit/paratransit van paid with federal appropriations ($85,930). Administrator reported two additional vehicles in processing, steps to increase drivers, and that the rider who complained was being served.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6312391,"Augusta commissioners vote to opt out of state floating homestead exemption, direct staff to draft local alternative",2222,9667000,11889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e&start=9667&end=11889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391039-0b7bf9d186a5cd444a50ae5facf5041e/thumbnail_9667000.jpg","/articles/6312391/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-commissioners-vote-to-opt-out-of-state-floating-homestead-exemption-direct-staff-to-draft-local-alternative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312391-cb9a32a034574e880cbffa137444aa1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776415696&Signature=EpJW5fXEXl7T398bv2khUC0MjeEaLwMNGgThjt9Z0dn6u8H65~sOVyVbYQX3SwNQF5AlMPE1VZNSomm2ymW5V4gRyLvLJ3BdsjD5bI9MWE9Sg-zsItSMBMtpXsb65qItJsNIt2G1RdxArNWK1UV5xyYxFCXQaNUJzJCu98QY238SSgdk87g~a98Iv9TUJ4zGKRVK~KZEWkw-H9I2ad7Yw24PpYoh3nPfuv0l9lVmnAviVSdlWok6oYHH8DCY7fpUjA54nDUZoYUrbcvaiKwAODZGIpA2HHrRpwEYnU37fc8~xORm5RT72vHZ1T-pG~-sLTXRCMsOvbj5kEGXYNPcig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Augusta City Commission voted 8–2 Tuesday to opt out of House Bill 581, the state law creating a floating homestead exemption, and instructed staff to draft a local alternative for consideration by the General Assembly and voters.

Administrator Mona Allen told the commission the governing body must decide whether to opt in or opt out by March 1 and summarized alternatives developed by Chief Appraiser Scott Rountree and staff. “House Bill 581 would apply to all homestead properties, the amount of exemption floats each year to match the consumer price index,” Allen said, explaining that the exemption limit would match the CPI and that a local floating option sales tax (FLOS) to offset revenue effects would require voter approval.

The request to opt out and pursue a locally controlled version was made as a motion by Commissioner Don Clark and seconded by Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice. The motion carried 8–2, with Commissioners Jordan Johnson and Michael Lewis recorded as voting no. The commission subsequently authorized the mayor to execute a resolution to effectuate the opt-out pursuant to OCGA 48-5-44.2; that resolution was approved by the same 8–2 tally.

Why it mattered: Commissioner Clark and others argued local control would let Augusta craft protections tailored to the county’s tax base and priorities. “I just think whatever we do, we have to be in control of our own destiny as opposed to putting it in the hands of someone else in this case being the state,” Clark said.

What staff presented: Allen and Chief Appraiser Scott Rountree offered four alternatives: (1) opt in to HB581 (CPI-based float for all homesteads); (2) adopt a local valuation freeze (freeze homestead valuations at implementation year); (3) adopt a targeted float limited to seniors or low-income homeowners; or (4) adopt a float tied to the Housing Price Index (HPI) instead of CPI. Allen and Rountree showed modeled outcomes using historical data: had HB581 been in effect in 2021, it would have lowered taxes for about 76% of homesteads, required an estimated 0.507 increase to the rollback millage, and shifted roughly 7% of total property tax burden from homesteads to non-homestead properties. Rountree added that a freeze would have benefited the most homeowners but shifted more than 10% of burden to non-homestead properties; a seniors-only float would have benefited about 38% of homesteads; an HPI float would have benefited about half of homesteads but produced smaller per-household savings.

Legal and process notes: Administrator Allen and City Attorney Plunkett told commissioners that even if Augusta opts out locally, any local alternative that differs from HB581 must be introduced to the Georgia General Assembly by the local delegation (staff cited a March 24 deadline for the delegation to receive draft legislation) and would not take effect until 2026 if enacted; voter referendum would be required before a local FLOS could be implemented. Allen also noted House Bill 92, still pending in the state legislature, might change deadlines but was not yet law.

Concerns and dissent: Opponents warned of unintended shifts in tax burden to commercial and non-homestead properties and the risk posed by Augusta’s local millage cap. Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle said the state approach is “a double-edged sword” that helps homestead owners but can increase commercial and rental property taxes and stress the millage cap. Commissioner Brandon Garrett asked staff for further calculations on estimated average individual savings and millage impacts; staff said they would provide more detailed figures.

Next steps: The commission added a resolution to the agenda and authorized the mayor to execute it to effectuate the opt-out. Staff and legal counsel said they would work with the county’s lobbyist and the local legislative delegation to draft a local bill and aim to provide more detailed fiscal calculations for commissioners before finalizing a local proposal. The commission directed staff to return with drafts and more analysis for the commission to consider before submission to the General Assembly and any required referendum.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized the decision reflected differing priorities—broad homeowner relief versus taxpayer equity and local control—and committed to drafting a locally controlled option for further review and public consideration.","The Augusta City Commission voted 8–2 to opt out of House Bill 581 (the state’s floating homestead exemption) and directed staff to draft a locally controlled homestead exemption modeled on the state bill, with subsequent resolution authorization to be executed by the mayor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves two small claims settlements authorized in closed session

Mayor asks staff to vet community offer to replace Wheeler Road gateway trees; commission to review cost and procurement next week

Downtown business owners press commission on Broad Street TIA plans, ask for parking, staging and better contractor communication

Commission approves federally funded paratransit van after service complaints; administration reports additional vehicles and staffing steps

Augusta commissioners vote to opt out of state floating homestead exemption, direct staff to draft local alternative