Augusta officials narrow SPLOST 9 priorities, target $375 million package for 2026–32 collection period

Augusta administrators presented a pared-down set of requests for the proposed SPLOST 9 sales-tax package at a public work session Monday, telling the Augusta City Commission they are targeting roughly $375,000,000 and expect to ask voters to begin collection at the end of 2026.

The presentations came from Administrator Allen and interim Central Services Director Ron Lampkin, followed by Parks and Recreation Director Tamika Williams and consultants from ISM. Administrators said the $375 million target is a recommended figure to shrink an initial departmental ask that exceeded $1 billion.

Administrator Allen said departments were asked to “identify priority projects that can be completed within the allotted SPLOST period,” and to provide target amounts to help pare back the initial requests. “We are targeting an estimated $375,000,000 plus 9 package, which will take an estimated 6 years,” Administrator Allen said.

Central Services

Interim Director Ron Lampkin led the Central Services presentation, listing 11 prioritized projects and giving cost details for several high-ticket items. Lampkin said a new vehicle-fleet service center originally costed at about $6 million in SPLOST 8 now has an estimated rebuild cost of roughly $42,000,000; for SPLOST 9 Central Services is proposing a $15,000,000 option to renovate existing facilities instead of replacing them. “Those cost estimates came back at around $42,000,000,” Lampkin said, describing why a partial renovation option is being considered. He told commissioners the $15,000,000 ask would fund renovations, equipment replacement and keeping fleet operations at the Tobacco Road and Broad Street locations.