Augustans wonder if SPLOST 9 plans will be completed

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than half of voters in Richmond County approved another one-cent sales tax. SPLOST 9 will fund $375 million worth of capital projects over the next five years.

The largest portions of funding went to public safety, infrastructure and quality of life projects.

River residents await dock repairs

Jo Nash has lived on a houseboat at the marina on the Savannah River for four years.

“I love being out here on this water. It’s so relaxing. It’s so chilled. I mean, it makes me settle down and breathe, you know?” Nash said.

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Nash said the marina needs maintenance, including the dock she walks up and down every day.

Commissioners approved $2.8 million for a new boat dock at the marina in January as part of the SPLOST 9 project list.

“I would think that’s a great idea. I mean, I just hope it really happens,” Nash said.

Nash said she has been told projects would be completed before, but has not seen results.

“Just do what you say you’re gonna do,” Nash said.

Olive Road drainage concerns

Jerry Cooper is skeptical about the SPLOST 9 project list.

“And the water, when it’s raining, when it fills up, there’s no way to go,” Cooper said about drainage issues on Olive Road.

Commissioners approved $3.5 million to fix the drainage problem on Olive Road under SPLOST 9 engineering projects.

“I don’t believe a real fix is going to take place anytime soon because of a number of reasons,” Cooper said.

While SPLOST 9 will cover the cost of the projects, it does not cover the cost of the people needed to maintain the projects day to day. The city remains under a hiring freeze.