'A lot of questions': Augusta draft budget reaches $1 billion
Augusta’s draft 2022 budget came in at $1 billion due to federal COVID-19 recovery dollars and planned increases in capital spending.
Administrator Odie Donald presented an overview of his proposed 270-page spending plan to Augusta commissioners Tuesday, saying it emphasized the public safety funding favored in a recent community survey while “setting a course to successfully navigate the new normal in a post-pandemic world, all without a residential property tax increase.”
Public safety, roads, tourism
Public safety spending in Donald's proposal includes $3.2 million in new funds for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to hire and retain deputies. Chief Deputy Pat Clayton said recently the agency of 700-plus officers is down more than 90 positions, about twice its usual vacancy rate.
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The budget includes $5 million from Sales Tax 7 for a new Fire Station 3 on Gordon Highway to serve the fast-growing Fort Gordon Gate 1 area. Using American Rescue Plan funds, it shows $600,000 in body cameras for the Richmond County Marshal’s Office and $6 million for “Light Up Augusta,” said to help Augusta cover its streetlight revenue deficit and install new lighting.
Other budgeted items for 2022 include $5 million for road resurfacing and $1.5 million for “pothole palooza,” both sales tax projects, $6 million in emergency assistance for landlords, a $750,000 infusion for Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau apart from its existing tourism tax funding and a $50,000 annual supplement for the Downtown Development Authority.
More:City of Augusta invites community input at budget discussion events
Special revenue, capital funds grow
Driving the budget’s rise from $920 million this year to a proposed record $1 billion in 2022 are large increases in Augusta’s special revenue and capital projects funds.
With an anticipated American Rescue Plan contribution of $33 million next year, special revenues will grow 26% to $158.9 million. The capital projects fund budget for 2022 Donald increases by 75% in sales tax 7 and 8 funds to $242.8 million.
The budget reflects a 2% increase in the tax digest, which is the amount of property subject to ad valorem taxes, and 3.5% increases in both local option sales tax and title ad valorem tax collections. Donald said the increases were "conservative" projections, meaning they could produce higher revenues.
The budget reflects a handful of large losses including $3 million this year from the Augusta Judicial Circuit due to its case backlog and split with Columbia County, a $1.5 million decrease in franchise fees and $750,000 lost in investment interest due to the pandemic economy.
Budget not a done deal
Some commissioners weren’t aware the budget would be presented until the night before, and not everyone was pleased as it heads for further discussion at an upcoming committee meeting and several planned work sessions.
“It’s a good effort, but there’s a lot of questions that need to be answered,” Commissioner John Clarke said.
Clarke said his questions included the CVB subsidy, an $816,000 drop in stormwater franchise fees and an $80,000 increase for the city-owned riverfront “Boathouse” recreation center, which he believes should be sold.
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Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, whose credit card purchases came under scrutiny earlier this year, requested a $187,760 increase to his 2021 budget as well as continuation of a separate $36,870 allocation for his My Brother’s Keeper affiliate.
Donald approved an increase of about $68,810 and eliminated the My Brother’s Keeper line item, giving Davis a total proposed budget of $554,020.
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Donald's budget includes a handful of new positions, including an economic development official and administrative coordinator for his office. His 2022 budget is $1.36 million.
Changes to EMS and waste hauling
In other action Tuesday, the commission approved allowing EMS provider Gold Cross to increase its billing rates, which it is allowed to do under an agreement with Augusta that expires next year. Donald said he is working with the provider on “any service-level issues” and that rates could again change. Providers such as Medicare and Medicaid are not bound by rates set by the EMS company.
Related reading:Augusta EMS provider seeks increased ambulance fees
The commission also agreed to approve a change in control of Augusta’s solid waste contract from Inland Waste Solutions, now known as Orion Waste Solutions, to Lakeshore Recycling LLC and then to Coastal Waste and Recycling LLC., which will hold the contract. Orion, which is not the Augusta waste hauler currently being blamed for widespread missed pickups, is being sold to Lakeshore and then Coastal.