Aiken City Planning Commission unanimously forwards 2025–2030 capital plan to City Council

The Aiken City Planning Commission on Feb. 11, 2025 voted unanimously to forward the draft 2025–2030 Major Capital Improvement Program (MCIP) to City Council after commissioners and staff reviewed project priorities, corrected numeric errors in the draft and discussed major infrastructure items including airport rehabilitation, sewer rehabilitation work and monitoring at the capped landfill.

The commission’s review was held under Section 2-140 of the City Code, which requires the Planning Commission to prioritize capital improvements and make a recommendation to the City Manager at least 90 days before the start of the fiscal year, which begins July 1. “Our only new business tonight is the consideration of the 2025 to 2030 major capital improvement program,” the chairman said when introducing the item.

Commissioners and department staff noted multiple clerical errors in the draft budget document that required correction before it goes to council. One payroll or project line was discussed as having an extra three zeros; commissioners clarified the correct figure is $852,368, not $852,000,000. Staff also confirmed an airport grant entry totaling $8,827,559 was a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant that will be processed through the budget.

Airport-related items drew extended discussion. Department staff described the airport work as a package that includes a new helipad and a comprehensive runway rehabilitation, along with apron and hangar upgrades to accommodate larger aircraft tied to recent local industrial growth. Staff said the airport handled about 700 flights during the Masters event last year and that the city is planning for additional fuel-storage and pavement upgrades; the airport team said the FAA grant would support those efforts. Staff also raised the prospect that, as traffic grows over several years, control services (a staffed tower) could be pursued rather than rented tower services.

Commissioners asked for clarification about how project figures are allocated by year and whether the estimated expenditures by year were correct; staff acknowledged the year-by-year estimates need revision along with the numeric corrections. Engineering items listed under a division labeled “3161” (engineering and utilities, Shaw Creek line) were flagged for a labeling correction before the packet is forwarded.

Other topics discussed included sewer system work completed in recent years: staff summarized a prior contract that cleaned, camera-inspected, grouted joints and installed liners in roughly 49 miles of sewer pipe across downtown and adjoining areas, a project the city said extended pipe life. Commissioners also confirmed the city’s landfill has been capped and is subject to EPA methane monitoring; a portion of the site is used as a laydown yard for public works materials.

After discussion, Commissioner Clarkson moved to forward the MCIP to City Council for approval; Mr. Matthews seconded. The chairman called for a voice/hand vote and the motion passed unanimously. “Mr. Chairman, in regards to the consideration of the 02/2025 to 02/1930 major capital improvement program, I make a motion that we move to city council for approval,” Commissioner Clarkson said when offering the motion. The chairman then closed the meeting following routine adjournment procedures.

The Planning Commission’s action is a recommendation to City Council; Council will review and has final authority over adoption and any budget adjustments. The MCIP packet will be corrected for the numeric and labeling issues raised and included on an upcoming Council agenda for consideration.