Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Ignite Augusta wins council approval to run horse-and-carriage rides at holiday light show
Loading...
Summary
Ignite Augusta asked the council to waive a $100-per-carriage application fee and $15 per-driver fee for a short-run horse-and-carriage attraction during the holiday light show; the council approved the request but requested proof of insurance before the event.
Ignite Augusta will be allowed to run horse-and-carriage rides at the city’s holiday light show after the Augusta City Council approved a temporary waiver of ordinance fees on Dec. 1.
Mister Shaw, speaking for Ignite Augusta, told the council the nonprofit had located a vendor and asked the city to consider waiving fees set in a local horse-and-carriage ordinance adopted several years ago. "Ignite Augusta reached out to me, regarding a potential addition to the Christmas light show, the actual usage of horse and carriage to take people around the park," Mister Shaw said.
According to the transcript, the ordinance requires a $100 application fee per carriage plus a $15 per-driver fee, $115 in total per carriage. Mister Shaw said the nonprofit was likely to operate the carriage for one or a few days as a special-event fundraiser rather than as a continuing commercial service. Insurance documentation for the operator remains outstanding.
Unidentified Speaker 2 moved to approve the request to waive the fees; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Council records show the waiver was granted, subject to confirmation of insurance and compliance with the existing ordinance’s safety and outfitting requirements.
City staff were asked to confirm the required insurance and to follow up with Ignite Augusta before the event. No further budget or ordinance changes were discussed at Monday’s meeting.
