Augusta moving forward with hearings on property tax law

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – In addition to discussing the need for an emergency management director, several other issues were discussed at Thursday’s Augusta Commission meeting.

Among them:

Floating homestead exemption

The city staff requested that commissioners discuss and approve a path forward on House Bill 581, the state measure to allow the city to opt out of a cap on property tax hikes.

The staff recommended moving forward with public hearing dates on the matter, but said commissioners need to discuss the possibility of opting out. The staff also said there’s an opportunity for an additional sales tax if commissioners opt in. And if the city opts in, some of the tax burden will shift to commercial properties and those who don’t fall under the homestead exemption, according to the interim finance director.

The city administrator said commissioners need to advertise that they intend to opt out in order to hold public meetings to gauge citizens’ views. Making the motion would not mean the city is opting out.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson said he was concerned with advertising the meetings in that way.

Mayor Garnett Johnson reminded commissioners that on the ballot, the measure had language that said “local governments will have the chance to opt out.”

The goal is to decide whether to opt in or out by the last commission meeting in February, which is ahead of the March 1 deadline to decide.

Commissioners decided to advertise the public hearings, although the dates haven’t been set.

Beautification

Commissioners discussed maintenance of beautification and other projects in the city.

Commissioner Tina Slendak raised concerns about recently completed brick crosswalks on 13th Street that have already started coming up.

She said people have complained to her about it.

She said there needs to be more accountability for workers who do jobs like this.

Slendak asked what the process is to deal with situations like this.

Engineering Director Hameed Malik said to contact his department.

Mayor Garnett Johnson questioned why money doesn’t go toward maintenance once projects are completed.

Malik says these projects are under the city’s maintenance plan

“That’s one complaint we get as elected officials,” Johnson said. “We do a good job of beautifying, but then it goes to hell with lack of maintenance.”

City Administrator Tameka Allen said her office is looking at a holistic approach to maintenance in the city, and she hopes to have a plan to commissioners within the next 60 days.

Discuss 600 Broad improvement

Margaret Woodard discussed improvements at 600 Broad, which is supposed to be the home of Accelerate Augusta.

She said the work is almost done, but carpet, tile and other work can’t be done because the roof was damaged by Hurricane Helene. He says the roof work will cost $375,000, of which $175,000 is available.

Allen said there is money allocated in SPLOST 8 to go toward this.

Mayor Garnett Johnson asked if the $200,000 the city pays can get reimbursed, and City Administrator Tameka Allen said she’d work with the central services director on that.

Commissioners decided to grant $200,000 coming out of SPLOST 8 to go toward Accelerate Augusta.

Charter review

There was a motion to amend the charter review resolution to include adding proposed charter changes to a referendum.

Commissioner Tony Lewis said he had someone from his district approach him about speaking on the charter review.

A Virginia Cody spoke about her concerns of citizens not having a say in any changes that come with changing the charter.

“Any changes to this charter will go to the voters, period,” Commissioner Alvin Mason said.

“Everyone is entitled to a voice here and everyone will receive a voice,” Commissioner Don Clark said.

The motion passed unanimously after 30 minutes of discussion.

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