Augusta commissioners debate $428 million SPLOST package, deadline and duration
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Summary
Commissioners spent a work session probing a proposed $428 million SPLOST package, debating what projects to prioritize, how long the tax should run and how to ensure accountability before an August due‑diligence deadline.
Administrator Allen told the Augusta‑Richmond County Commission on July [date not specified] that staff is working to meet a due‑diligence deadline tied to the proposed SPLOST package. "We need to know, and meet the deadline of August 5 for due diligence for the commission meeting. The latest we could probably go would be having it on a special call meeting on August 12," she said.
The commission reviewed a draft SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) list that staff trimmed from earlier requests. Commissioners raised competing priorities including infrastructure maintenance, parks and recreation projects, public safety needs and economic development. Several members said they wanted clearer line items and assurances that projects from previous SPLOST rounds are completed before adding new commitments.
Why it matters: commissioners said the package length affects future planning. Administrator Allen and finance staff said the draft would span about seven years at the proposed total; commissioners discussed lowering the dollar total to shorten the collection period to five or six years. Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle and other commissioners urged staff to provide suggested cuts and to identify which items on the list are countywide priorities versus district‑specific requests.
During the discussion, commissioners asked staff to publish an updated accounting of past SPLOST projects and remaining balances so voters can see how previous proceeds were spent. Commissioners also requested that staff prepare recommended reductions and updated project line items for the next work session.
No formal votes or motions were taken during the meeting; commissioners directed staff to return with revised numbers and more detail before the August deadline. The commission scheduled another work session to continue debate and review administrators' recommended cuts.
