Augusta commission approves $1.16 million Trane maintenance agreement after debate over consultant oversight

The Augusta‑Richmond County Commission on Thursday approved a one‑year building automation and mechanical service agreement with Trane for $1,160,670.97, after more than an hour of public comment and debate about consultant oversight and guaranteed energy savings.

Commissioners voted 6–4 to approve the contract. Commissioners Catherine Smith Rice, Alvin Mason, Don Clark, Tina Slendak, Wayne Guilfoyle and Mayor Johnson voted yes; Commissioners Jordan Johnson, Stacy Pulliam, Tony Lewis and Francine Scott voted no. A substitute motion to postpone the vote until NV5 — the project’s consultant — appeared before the commission failed 4–6.

The contract covers preventive maintenance for the equipment installed in the energy‑efficiency project and extends service to the facilities not fully covered in the project’s original Exhibit G. Interim Director Ron Lampkin told commissioners the maintenance is necessary to preserve the contract’s 20‑year energy‑savings guarantee: “The maintenance contract is renewable every year. If we don't continue forward and the equipment is not properly maintained and…