[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,75,87,97],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568806,"mediaKeyId","3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464","parentId",3193181,"title","SCDOT resurfacing planned; city schedules Georgia Avenue traffic‑calming public feedback session","audioSeconds",742,"startMs",3118000,"endMs",3860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464&start=3118&end=3860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464/thumbnail_3118000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568806/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/SCDOT-resurfacing-planned-city-schedules-Georgia-Avenue-trafficcalming-public-feedback-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568806-c26b63b8647267aa25166856c1b14d78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001771&Signature=A24lgWGbwaKN322SkhD~SfKNtUbjeJBw-BSxfwUhr1tYTglshnOFDa3d-OKpmMg1IV5Q9ikfi3mN6YSn9OC2TvbYeyPWZjuDf79uBUs4Vdy01OU-x8VmFbPKTkZQcbH6Q-3EtU3C3dcvfC9AqxE1xA1GOq6kMUYhOyY9M6q6nzwRdPcVcR9V48i54Tp5wSFD8SmTmlljIy2TL9ODheBNGKd2VJ-QfoSbkWXFEROd8CaMFjTD4dUKV4xbiZBvy7m~EuV0M4c6wW5gAuGe8gpGBZeUpCrcZlbYJ6XYzaZ29~O68miqO~aTY7GEq1GBiQqCIffguuWuqDJyIeX1mRjbSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of North Augusta Public Information, SC","date","2025-05-05T23:54:25.28Z","article","City administrators told the North Augusta City Council on May 5 that the South Carolina Department of Transportation will begin resurfacing several roads in the city this week and that the council will host a public feedback session on the Georgia Avenue traffic‑calming study next Monday.

Jim Clifford, city administrator, reported a late‑breaking SCDOT resurfacing schedule that includes Brookside Avenue, East Spring Grove, Hamburg Road, Socrusty Drive, Mountside Drive, Yarby Drive and Whitlows Road. Clifford said SCDOT crews will start work this week and that Tom Zeesler will provide a more detailed study session update next week.

Mayor Britton S. Williams announced a public comment period for the Georgia Avenue traffic‑calming study: “Next Monday, the twelfth, at 06:00, we will be having public feedback for the Georgia Avenue traffic calming study,” he said. The mayor described the meeting as a five‑minute comment period format intended to gather public input before council votes on any measures.

Nut graf: Residents should expect localized SCDOT resurfacing activity this week and may attend the city’s May 12 feedback session to offer comments on proposed traffic‑calming measures for Georgia Avenue. The May 12 meeting will collect public comment to inform future council action.

Council members said they will post study materials on social media and encouraged residents to attend and provide concise feedback during the allotted time.

Ending: City staff said the resurfacing work is part of regularly scheduled SCDOT maintenance and that more detailed schedules and study materials will be provided in upcoming communications and at the next study session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of North Augusta Power Hour & Council Meeting 05/05/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the council May 5 that SCDOT will begin resurfacing several roads this week and announced a public feedback session on the Georgia Avenue traffic‑calming study for May 12 at 6 p.m.","taxTitle","North Augusta, Aiken County, South Carolina","taxId",56877,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568810,"City outlines debris, grinding and FEMA timelines as Hurricane Helene cleanup continues",2588,3491000,6079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464&start=3491&end=6079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464/thumbnail_3491000.jpg","/articles/6568810/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/City-outlines-debris-grinding-and-FEMA-timelines-as-Hurricane-Helene-cleanup-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568810-cddd9407b94f6895b7c65d08ce4bd6ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001771&Signature=kU7uJeX-PcevUKYP0bgfwbWrSpU6GspdbtpCCMCj2vQoOm1aWBXNkpGvEtMLyz4z8ahhDvh0hqjv~pVYQvIWZVPpOnUaYgcat6yzHMRO42pvvDiSS7A7CaZHWpFA7TBwLvGEGjBn-GcHaAGhHfybUAYoxaBDuoA20EH1i6zVdtsQa2ITF1u451kDrmQvYl~9jkmBSRhI~gCB1rkRt7M8LpMbceW9rXYG9lXvupMs7NMjUAsF0c4b-kYla9CENUj749Ii5xVhTs3Olef88zewM561~PBsMOC3bMFOrsPLvHkW~c6gqCECpqlfaZsHMC49pE1FtP10gHglzSoI1PyZEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated the North Augusta City Council on May 5 about ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery operations, including debris removal, grinding, backhaul logistics and reimbursement deadlines tied to federal aid.

Jim Clifford, city administrator, reviewed the city’s work plan and said cleanup spans multiple jurisdictions because roads are maintained by the city, SCDOT and Aiken County. Clifford said disposal and monitoring requirements tied to FEMA reimbursement constrain how debris is handled and where grindings can be reused.

“There are two reasons why we're not allowed to do this,” Clifford said when asked about reusing ground mulch within the city. “One is, FEMA requires us to be able to show a greater degree of the disposition of the mulch or the debris that is there. The second reason is … there's a fair amount of oak tree disease in some of those grindings, and now that it's all mulched up, what you don't want to do is spread that disease through other parts of the city.”

Clifford said the city is operating two city grinding sites (Country Club property and East Buena Vista) and coordinating with SCDOT sites inside city limits; crews are finishing cleanup in heavily impacted neighborhoods and are doing backhaul and staging to meet federal documentation requirements. Staff said a contractor has been working on stormwater detention pond systems and that crews will demolish the Mudden Fill Park structure next week.

Nut graf: Cleanup and grinding of storm debris remain active operations. The city said it must finish reimbursable work by July 1 to preserve FEMA and state reimbursement eligibility; monitoring and documentation requirements, plus tree disease concerns, limit the city’s ability to repurpose ground material across the community.

Clifford told council members the city will restore yard‑waste collection to standard operations in early June but encouraged citizens who cannot wait to bag yard waste for pickup. He reiterated that the greenway and most roadways are passable and that the city has used temporary dump sites and grinders to speed processing.

A council member thanked crews for continuous work; Clifford said the city has had “99.95% of the major debris picked up” in some sectors but cautioned that localized items (wires, stump piles) remain as carriers and utilities finish their work.

Ending: City officials said they will continue weekly updates; they warned that any work performed after the July 1 closeout may not be reimbursable and could affect the city’s final cost share.","City administrators told the council May 5 that crews continue debris removal and grinding work from Hurricane Helene, that FEMA reimbursement rules constrain reuse of mulch, and that the city must finish reimbursable work by July 1 to preserve federal funding eligibility.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568815,"City says billing errors fixed after software migration; late fees and shutoffs suspended during audit",242,3360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464&start=3118&end=3360","/articles/6568815/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/City-says-billing-errors-fixed-after-software-migration-late-fees-and-shutoffs-suspended-during-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568815-a0b7dae4037701748dda7a9ba7fd60d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001771&Signature=YsVj~fXbSOFUSAeCSj13JRw-0xvLLLm8J3I-jEgI05WDEA1nKYZyOOrZ8SgSBZPCQOr4tsfVSgR3HB1CslJ~sci3gs2TVXlCXM9UM3k10j9oCwwWTFIi4HStPNWhag4KOJ759uKTrq3noVIlu-nkCuK82HN8u5qdjYT54KM3CWBYVd3zGf01Cfln1Sdyo3f3szU5d1PIAQEqAcyqPOJ5EWCkglUKm1emDVn6fSCcgEgyGoaOKQ09IZXWk5Eg8uq1SNr5B6Dqrbs72yEcbRI-hpirtziVWK7DHx7HWpZjV3K3eCBuktKp3TLm~El7U4DozFcVeBSzdWZk3qYOlPHLEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City administration told the North Augusta City Council on May 5 that problems from a software migration disrupted utility billing earlier this year and that staff have paused enforcement while completing an audit to restore accurate billing.

Jim Clifford, city administrator, said the city moved its billing from a legacy system called CSI into a new platform, GovSense, and that the vendor migration produced errors in the February 25 and March 10 billing cycles. Clifford said the city halted billing for those cycles until it could complete internal audits and ensure accurate statements.

“The old system is working just fine. Well, if you're familiar with IT systems, you know, at some point in time, Microsoft stopped supporting whatever Windows version you have … and then they become vulnerable to cyber attack,” Clifford said, explaining why the city pursued a software upgrade. He said the migration was funded in part with ARPA funds and aimed to replace an out‑of‑support system.

Clifford said the city established a centralized customer service phone line, increased staff support and instituted a policy that late fees and water shutoffs are suspended while the audit continues. “I also gave authorities to the finance director to suspend all water shutoffs and all late fees,” Clifford said.

Officials said the city has manually audited about 1,100 accounts and expects to mail corrected bills beginning May 7; residents should receive mailed bills between May 8–10 with the May 10 cycle expected to be sent by May 13 and the May 25 cycle no later than May 27. Officials emphasized that no late fees or service cutoffs will be applied until records are fully audited and the billing cadence returns to normal.

The city also disclosed an interruption by its online payment processor. The Fiserv/Clover component that takes credit‑card payments experienced an outage April 9–14; that interruption left the city without complete records of who paid and when. Clifford said senior staff from Fiserv and Clover have been engaged and the city will continue to reconcile payments with customer calls.

Nut graf: The migration to GovSense produced billing errors for two cycles earlier this year; the administration halted billing to audit records, suspended enforcement measures, and plans to resume accurate, on‑time cycles in late May while continuing vendor reconciliation.

Councilmembers asked for updates on vendor performance and reconciliation progress. Clifford said senior representatives from the payment processor were involved and that the city is considering contract performance before the contract expires in September 2026.

Ending: City officials urged customers with specific questions or payment evidence to call the centralized number posted on the city website and at city buildings. Officials plan to return to regular billing once audits are complete and will brief council on final timelines.","North Augusta officials told the council May 5 that a migration to new utility billing software caused errors in two billing cycles; billing was paused, audits completed, and the city has suspended late fees and shutoffs while correcting records and working with payment vendors.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568820,"Council approves rezoning of 0.49-acre Georgia Avenue parcel to allow small‑lot single‑family housing",145,2721000,2866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464&start=2721&end=2866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193181-bce0e14b9349f634eddb9f4cdb601464/thumbnail_2721000.jpg","/articles/6568820/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-rezoning-of-049-acre-Georgia-Avenue-parcel-to-allow-smalllot-singlefamily-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568820-d953d8b4dacfe88b9815813ef4ee87c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001771&Signature=Utru-NxSkFknOccFvAqFmYtvky-qNXCpd8VjHctTck4W-BpBdEx23bAqk5gv95vMnPKyqQWWwIsoxA7Iowu2e-By-U-Fm8p~GYTDq8IDF7svCPRsS0BxnwBRC0RKjQWpmQLvZnwtFRUecequSLTL2yNce~24~yNm2Gp2cvCPY-nlKXq7ObuJxwcSmPZGkY4wavJq0qK9CFdfOfo6ROBFpx81hX2douiHaAF3IecuxyBAbCHHODEjT413MJ-GbzIQWjndUuP7M2~NnXz4glNWses1c6MGmnM45Gj8rnm8h5DufOYl7aGGcAOHvSgy~~WVp0ZfKN2nh6W3g-1xJlFCQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of North Augusta City Council on May 5 approved Ordinance 225‑10, rezoning about 0.49 acres of land along Georgia Avenue from general commercial (GC) to R‑7 small‑lot single‑family residential.

Planning and zoning staff described the request as an internal rezoning (not an annexation) covering three tax parcels on Georgia Avenue that will be combined to permit a small housing development. “This is a planning and zoning request to go from general commercial to R‑7. This is not an annexation. This is inside the contiguous city limits, and this, [the] three tax parcel numbers are off of Georgia Avenue,” Jim Clifford, city administrator, told the council.

The measure received a motion from Councilmember Pat Carpenter and was seconded by Councilmember David McGee. The mayor called for a voice vote; the council approved the ordinance unanimously.

Council members said the rezoning represents infill redevelopment in an existing commercial corridor. “I would just tell you, I think this is a great piece of infill,” Mayor Britton S. Williams said, describing the parcel as an odd‑shaped section near the McDonald’s and other small commercial lots that will be combined and redeveloped.

Nut graf: The rezoning moves a small city‑owned or privately owned cluster of parcels from commercial to small‑lot single‑family zoning to allow a modest residential project; planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval and the council adopted the ordinance on second reading.

The ordinance affects three tax parcel numbers listed on the record; planning staff said the change aims to regularize lot shapes and permit a smaller residential development rather than commercial reuse. City staff and the planning commission recommended approval; no public comments were made at the council meeting on the item. The council discussed the item briefly at second reading and then voted to adopt the ordinance.

The council routinely conducts two readings for ordinance changes. This was the item’s second reading; council members noted the substantive review occurred at the prior study session and described the second reading as a clean action for approval.

Ending: The ordinance will be recorded with the city’s planning department and implemented under the city’s zoning map; the council did not specify a development permit or builder at the meeting and did not take separate action on building permits or site plans for the parcels.","North Augusta City Council voted unanimously May 5 to approve Ordinance 225-10, rezoning roughly 0.49 acres along Georgia Avenue from general commercial (GC) to R‑7 small‑lot single‑family residential to allow a small housing development.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SCDOT resurfacing planned; city schedules Georgia Avenue traffic‑calming public feedback session

City outlines debris, grinding and FEMA timelines as Hurricane Helene cleanup continues

City says billing errors fixed after software migration; late fees and shutoffs suspended during audit

Council approves rezoning of 0.49-acre Georgia Avenue parcel to allow small‑lot single‑family housing