Commission ratifies lease amendments, reduces tenant rent and approves airport director raise after closed session

The Augusta–Richmond County Commission on an executive-session motion approved three items arising from a closed legal session: an amendment extending a city lease at 3461 Peach Orchard Road; a temporary rent reduction for Old Town Pickers while damage repairs are completed; and a salary increase for Bushfield Airport director Herbert Jadon.

The actions came after the commission met in closed session for “real estate, pending or potential litigation and personnel matters,” the chair said. City Attorney Plunkett presented three motions when the meeting returned to open session asking the commission to authorize execution of documents arising from the closed meeting.

Attorney Plunkett asked the commission to “approve an amendment to the lease between Delta Peach Tree LLC and Augusta, Georgia for the property located at 3461 Peach Orchard Road to extend the term to November 30, 2029, to adjust rents as provided in the amendment and to provide for repairs to be made by the landlord and authorize the mayor and clerk to execute the amendment.” The commission moved and voted to carry the motion, with the clerk recording the motion carried (one commissioner reported absent).

Plunkett’s second motion asked the commission to “amend the lease between Francis Christian operating Old Town Pickers in Augusta, Georgia by reducing the rent to $4,534 and $6.45 per month until the damaged slips are repaired or restored in full or in part and to authorize the mayor and clerk to execute such amendment.” The board approved that amendment by motion and recorded vote.

Plunkett’s third request was a personnel action: approval of an increase to the annual salary of Bushfield Airport director Herbert Jadon to $249,334.45 per year. That salary increase also passed by motion and vote.

The clerk recorded the votes as carried; the meeting minutes show the motions were approved after the closed session and the mayor and clerk were authorized to execute the requested documents. The commission did not provide additional details about exact vote tallies in open session beyond noting the motions carried and that one or more members were absent for votes recorded immediately after the closed meeting.

City staff said the lease and rent amendments and the salary change will be executed by the mayor and clerk as authorized, and the clerk will file the closed-meeting affidavit required by state law.