Augusta City Commission approves wastewater contract extension, accepts energy-efficiency rebates and approves multiple licenses and budget items

The Augusta City Commission on April 1 approved a five-year extension to the city’s contract with ESG Operations Inc. to operate wastewater treatment facilities, accepted a presentation and token rebate from Georgia Power for energy-efficiency upgrades, and approved multiple alcohol licenses and several funding and capital items including a $381,000 short-term allocation for the senior nutrition program.

The commission also authorized disbursement of $6,542,779.64 in U.S. Treasury emergency rental assistance following an executive session and cleared an item to purchase sanitary sewer improvements near the municipal golf course for up to $700,000 payable over five years.

Why it matters: The wastewater contract extension preserves continuity of operations at a regional wastewater system that serves most of Richmond County, including Fort Eisenhower and parts of adjacent jurisdictions. The energy-efficiency work and rebate reduce operating costs for city buildings; the rental-assistance allocation directs federal funds to housing stability programs; and the alcohol-license votes affect downtown businesses and neighborhood concerns.

Wastewater contract and regulatory context

Director Daryl Bynes, Augusta utilities director, told the commission the city is negotiating a proposed consent order with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and that the draft has not been finalized or released publicly. Bynes said the James B. Messy wastewater treatment plant had items noted in a routine EPA inspection but that most issues were “relatively minor” and that the plant had been in compliance for 59 of the last 60 months.

Bynes and ESG representatives described the primary clarifiers — equipment that removes solids from wastewater — as damaged in some units. Dan Grisell of ESG, whose corporate office is in Macon, said heavy rains and material sent into the sewer system have contributed to wear and the accumulation of grit that overwhelmed headworks during storm events. Bynes said ESG will manage repairs and that the city has budgeted capital items to address several plant needs.

The commission approved an amendment and five-year extension to the operations contract with ESG Operations Inc. to continue operating the city’s wastewater treatment facilities. Commissioner Brandon Garrett moved to approve the extension; Mayor Pro Tempore Wayne Guilfoyle seconded. The commission recorded the motion as approved.

Georgia Power presentation: rebates and savings

Kerry Bridges, East Region executive for Georgia Power, presented a summary of commercial energy-efficiency upgrades the utility supported in partnership with the city and a local partner identified in the meeting as the Train Company. Bridges said those projects included improved insulation, high-efficiency HVAC equipment, LED lighting and building automation, and she said the work saved roughly 7,400,000 kilowatt-hours for the buildings involved and generated a rebate to the city of more than $445,000. Bridges also said Georgia Power paid more than $20 million statewide in energy-efficiency rebates last year and that its programs saved more than 300,000,000 kilowatt-hours statewide.

Public-delegation and community programs

Donita Legos, Richmond County 4‑H agent with the University of Georgia Extension, told commissioners the county 4‑H program serves more than 1,800 students in grades 3–12, with 70 percent classified as underserved or minority students. Legos summarized programs including STEM projects, project achievement competitions, summer camps, and community service activities, and invited commissioners to volunteer and support 4‑H events.

Resident Melvin Kelly used his public comment time to present design sketches and pitch a proposed planetarium and youth museum and to urge the commission to revisit homelessness and mental-health services and shelter capacity in Augusta. Kelly said he has drafted plans and would help raise funds if a team is formed.

Consent items, alcohol licenses and other votes

The commission approved its consent agenda after several items were pulled for separate discussion. Several alcohol-license applications on the agenda drew public objections during the meeting from residents concerned about proliferation of stores selling alcohol in some neighborhoods. Commissioners responded that many approvals were for restaurants or existing businesses seeking expanded on-premises sales, and several commissioners said they support later review of concentration of liquor stores.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve amendment and five-year extension to ESG Operations Inc. contract for operation of wastewater treatment facilities — motion moved by Commissioner Brandon Garrett, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Wayne Guilfoyle; outcome: approved.

- Alcohol and beverage licenses (consent): multiple licenses for existing locations and new on-premise consumption (including applications for 1649 Olive Road; 902 Broad Street; Homewood Suites by Hilton; Trellis Coffee Bar at 1902 Walton Way; Abel Brown at 491 Highland Avenue; and others listed on the consent agenda) — motions to approve individual licenses were made and seconded during the consent process; outcomes: approved, with several public objections noted in the record.

- Funding not to exceed $381,000 for the senior nutrition program through 06/30/2025, funded from contingency while federal reimbursements are paused — outcome: approved (added from addendum agenda).

- Tentative schedule for SPLOST 9 and authorization for the mayor to meet with Hephzibah and Blythe on an intergovernmental agreement for SPLOST 9 proceeds — motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved (two commissioners absent for vote).

- Motion to authorize the mayor to deliver $6,542,779.64 in U.S. Treasury unused emergency assistance funds for emergency rental assistance — motion moved by Commissioner Don Clark, seconded by Commissioner Brandon Garrett; outcome: approved after executive session (vote recorded 9–1 with one commissioner voting no and one commissioner absent).

- Purchase of sanitary sewer improvements near the municipal golf course from TPP LLC, price not to exceed $700,000 payable over five years — motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

Discussion, clarifications and next steps

Commissioners asked multiple questions about the wastewater plant’s condition, procurement and legal authority to extend or augment the operations contract, and whether capital repairs could be decoupled and bid separately. Director Bynes said the primary-clarifier repairs are scheduled to begin in roughly two months and that fixing them will improve treatment efficiency and industrial capacity.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson and others pressed for clearer communication and earlier notice when the city is negotiating regulatory matters such as a proposed consent order. Attorney Jim Plunkett told the commission the city’s legal department had reviewed the contract scope and had no current legal objection to the extension as presented.

Residents’ objections to alcohol licenses were recorded in the public record; Commissioner Jordan Johnson said the commission will explore whether additional local regulation is needed to manage concentrations of liquor stores.

Quotes

"When our customers install high efficiency equipment in their buildings, they use less energy," Kerry Bridges said. "Last year alone, Georgia Power paid our customers over $20,000,000 in energy-efficiency rebates across the state."

"This is the wastewater plant — this is not drinking water," Director Daryl Bynes said, explaining the role of primary clarifiers and the city’s plan to repair them.

What’s next

Staff indicated they will return with details and timelines for capital repairs to the wastewater plant and with procurement timing if the commission opts to re-bid operational services at a future date. The city attorney said he will provide clarifying guidance on procurement and authority questions at the commission’s request. The administrator and departments will follow up on the 4‑H and community requests and the resident proposal for a youth planetarium.

(See “Votes at a glance” above for itemized outcomes.)

Ending note

The meeting included an executive session. The commission returned to open session and adopted motions described above before adjourning.