Augusta City reviews $463 million SPLOST 9 package, debates 5-year vs. 7-year timeline

Mayor Pro Tem Gilfill opened the work session and Administrator Allen told the commission the timeline staff is targeting: a final SPLOST list approved by Jan. 6, intergovernmental agreements with nearby jurisdictions, a resolution by Jan. 27 and a call of election from the board of elections on Feb. 9 for the May 19 ballot. "We have to have a final Sploss list approved by January 6," Administrator Allen said.

Allen said the draft package now totals roughly $463,000,000 after adding items previously consented at earlier meetings. Commissioners focused on how long collections would take to fund that amount. Staff estimated the current total would run "a little over around 7 years or so depending on collection." Several commissioners pressed for reducing the total so the program could fit a five-year cycle, arguing shorter timelines let current commissioners see projects to completion and reduce exposure to unforeseen emergencies.

Why it matters: SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) packages set multi-year capital priorities and are placed on the ballot for voter approval. The commission must decide how many projects to include or whether to reduce the dollar total to shorten the collection timeline. Administrator Allen asked the governing body to flag items for deletion or reallocation so staff can present a packet aligned with the commission's priorities.

Discussion and next steps: Commissioners asked for line-item detail and for staff to circulate the packet and meeting notes. Allen said staff will maintain the current items for now while the body considers cuts to reach a five-year target (roughly $350 million) if that is the commission’s direction. No formal motions or votes were taken at the workshop; the body will return to the list for final decisions and the required January approvals.