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Augusta committees approve contracts and permits; commission authorizes settlement, subpoena and personnel actions
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Summary
Committee cycles approved multiple routine contracts and procurement items — including a $4 million RFQ funding increase, wastewater operator renewal and an AMCS waste‑platform sole‑source purchase — and the commission disclosed executive‑session motions on a $22,600 settlement, a subpoena for franchise‑fee records and personnel actions.
The Augusta City Commission's committee cycle on Wednesday cleared a slate of procurement and contract items and the full commission disclosed several formal actions taken as a result of executive session.
Engineering and utilities committees approved a $4,000,000 increase to a standing task‑order program for water and sewer infrastructure (RFQ 23263), awarded an on‑call engineering support contract to the Durer Group, and approved an on‑call professional services award under RFP 25241 to Goodwin Mills Caywood. Director Bynes and procurement staff confirmed the qualifications and procurement processes for these awards.
The commission also approved an amendment renewal with ESG Operations, Inc. for operation of the wastewater treatment plant. Staff described the agreement as a cost‑plus contract with a roughly 12% overhead markup and a reconciliation mechanism payable only after audit.
Other committee approvals included supplemental funding of $180,007.82 to Shaw for the Willis Foreman improvement project (80% federal / 20% local) and a sole‑source purchase of an AMCS web‑based platform for residential waste collection (initial funds of $171,006.70 and a five‑year term).
In administrative matters disclosed after executive session, City Attorney Turner Plunkett asked the body to approve five items: a $22,600 settlement with CC Frontier LLC for sinkhole repairs at 1728 Wildes Road; authorization for the mayor to issue a subpoena for business records in a franchise‑fee audit of BellSouth/AT&T (motion carried 10–1 with Commissioner Scott opposed); execution of an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Hephzibah for animal control services; a six‑month salary continuation for retiring RCCI Warden Evan Joseph upon his execution of a release; and appointment of Deputy Warden Marie Bolton as interim warden effective Jan. 1, 2026, with a 15% salary increase contingent on her acceptance. The motions were moved and recorded in open session as required by law.
What commissioners asked: Several members probed contract terms (duration and maintenance for AMCS; SmartWorks integration costs tied to AMI meters) and pressed staff for procurement verification. Attorney Plunkett confirmed procurement and legal reviews where noted and said the subpoena authority would allow the audit team to secure business records for review.
What happens next: Staff will execute approved contracts and return any deferred procurement items to the full commission after procurement completes its review. The commission scheduled continuation of the 2026 budget work on Dec. 2, when outstanding procurement and revenue questions may be revisited.
