Augusta, Ga. – Augusta’s city commissioners are laying the groundwork for what could be a pivotal decision that will impact the community for decades. As the city prepares for the ninth phase of its Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), the urgency of the upcoming project list has become more apparent than ever.

During recent meetings, commissioners underscored the importance of creating a comprehensive and well-thought-out SPLOST package, which will guide the allocation of funding for critical public projects over the next several years. Commissioner Alvin Mason emphasized the gravity of the process, stating, “I would hope that we would be able to put together a really comprehensive package that we can agree upon because this may be actually one of the most important SPLOST packages that we ever put together.”

The current SPLOST package, approved more than four years ago, has come to the end of its cycle, and now city leaders are focused on addressing urgent needs. One of the top priorities discussed by commissioners is public works projects, including road repairs, drainage improvements, and general infrastructure upgrades. These issues have become even more pressing following the damages caused by Hurricane Helene, which exposed vulnerabilities in the city’s infrastructure.

“We’ve got a lot that we got to do, unexpected expenses that we had with the hurricane, I think issues that are coming to light right now,” said Commissioner Francine Scott. Fellow commissioner Catherine Smith Rice echoed the sentiment, stating that these needs should be top priorities for all elected officials as they move forward with SPLOST 9 discussions.

In addition to infrastructure, another long-standing issue is the overcrowding at the Webster Detention Center. The Sheriff’s Office has long advocated for the construction of two 200-bed jail pods, each priced at $37 million, to alleviate the strain on the facility. Commissioner Tony Lewis acknowledged that the need for additional jail space is not new, noting, “It’s not nothing new, we’ve been talking about it, we’ve talked about the need for them, something we’ll look at. If we can’t get two maybe one new pod.”

The debate over how to allocate SPLOST funds is expected to involve tough decisions, particularly as commissioners balance the immediate infrastructure needs with the potential cost of expanding the jail. With the timeline for the approval of the SPLOST 9 project list set for July, city leaders are working toward finding a solution that can address both short-term concerns and long-term growth.

As Augusta’s commissioners approach this crucial phase, the future of the city’s infrastructure, public safety, and overall development hinges on their ability to come together and agree on a plan that will serve the community for years to come.