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Commission confirms $10 million SPLOST allocation remains tied to new community facilities; prioritization to be set later
Summary
A resident asked whether $10 million in SPLOST 9 funds is reserved for a West Augusta community and wellness center; city staff confirmed the amount was included in the approved SPLOST package and said prioritization and site selection will follow the collections and prioritization process.
A resident asked the Augusta Commission to confirm whether $10,000,000 in SPLOST 9 funds is dedicated to a West Augusta Community and Wellness Center, and staff confirmed the allocation is included in the approved SPLOST package but said final prioritization and site work remain to be scheduled.
Patricia A. Jeter pressed the Commission for clarity about SPLOST 9's designation, site location, funding allocation and land-acquisition timeline for a West Augusta community and wellness center. She said the area is growing and described local health and access needs as part of her case for prioritization.
Recreation staff responded that the SPLAS (SPLOST) package places the $10,000,000 allocation within a larger capital package that staff described in the meeting as totaling roughly $2,121,000,709, with $10,000,000 earmarked as part of the combined new-facility and facility-revitalization projects. Commissioner Don Clark noted that the city still must set prioritization for which projects move forward when funds are available.
The city attorney cautioned that ballot language and line-item designations constrain how funds are used and explained generally that prioritization and administration follow the collection and allocation rules established for SPLOST receipts; staff said the advertised intent was for a new community center, with prioritization to be set later.
Why it matters: Residents asked for assurance that the voter-approved funds advertised for a "new community center" will be used for West Augusta and that the area will not be deprioritized in favor of other projects.
What the commission said/did: Staff confirmed the $10,000,000 figure is part of the approved SPLOST package; the commission did not make a site-selection or funding allocation decision at the meeting. Commissioners said they will set project prioritization in a later, defined process.
Next steps: Staff will continue SPLOST implementation planning, with prioritization and scheduling to be addressed as receipts are collected and administrative prioritization occurs; residents were encouraged to continue advocacy with their commissioners.
