News Line for Augusta

Mobility Transit files procurement lawsuit against Augusta
The legal team representing Mobility Transit has filed suit in federal court alleging Augusta broke its procurement code and state open meeting laws when it terminated the bus company's contract and sought new bids from transit companies.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commission vote on downtown parking expected
Whether downtown businesses and the public are allowed unlimited public parking on Broad Street faces a likely vote by the Augusta Commission on Tuesday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Former commissioner to run for state Senate
Former Augusta Commission member Joe Bowles plans to run for the District 22 state Senate seat next year.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Smoking ordinance going back to Augusta Commission
Advocates for a smoke-free environment for all workers are once again pushing for an ordinance that would ban smoking in public places in Augusta.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Savannah Riverkeeper asks commission for 50-year lease on riverfront property
Savannah Riverkeeper wants a 50-year lease on a city riverfront property that it has long eyed to use for recreational, educational and office space.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Parking resurfacing as issue for downtown Augusta merchants
Downtown development continues to be its own worst enemy when it comes to downtown parking.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Mason announces plans to run for mayor
Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason announced his intention to run for mayor in 2014 at his District 4 quarterly breakfast Saturday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta air ambulance company will drop tax dispute
Officials for an Augusta air ambulance company say they will no longer dispute a $98,000 bill for property taxes, which was paid last month by the company’s new owners.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Closing arguments in legal battle over city employees' health insurance fund
The legal battle over which company will manage Augusta city employees’ self-insured health insurance fund entered into the closing rounds Friday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Contract approved for downtown retail project
Members of Augusta’s Downtown Devel­opment Authority are optimistic about efforts to revitalize the urban retail sector.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Council could reopen Augusta EMS zone
The regional council that governs emergency medical services gave Augusta and Gold Cross EMS until August to develop a plan for ambulance calls or it will reopen EMS zoning for Richmond County.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Downtown Augusta is safe, community leaders say
Augusta leaders and members of the downtown community concluded at a gathering Wednesday that downtown is safe, but admitted that, unfortunately, perception is reality.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission talks downtown crime
A weekend mugging and a carjacking in downtown Augusta prompted a flurry of suggestions Tuesday that Augusta Commission members said they hope can meld into a “holistic approach” to crime downtown.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Economic Development Authority fills new position
The Augusta Economic Development Authority has hired a television reporter to work with existing industry in Richmond County.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Riverwalk crime, old mill on agenda
Safety at Riverwalk Augusta was on Augusta Commission member Bill Fennoy’s mind before a couple was mugged and beaten late Friday behind Port Royal.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta set to begin single-day collection services
Augusta residents are less than a month from a shift in their household routines.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Mills project doesn't have much in common with Voyage of Discovery
City Administrator Fred Rus­sell said the Georgia Board of Regents has hired a consultant to evaluate Augusta’s proposal to develop a university campus at Sibley and King mills and a cultural center downtown.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Regents hire consultant to evaluate mills campus plan
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents has hired a consultant to evaluate Au­gusta's proposal to develop a cultural campus downtown and a mills campus in Har­ris­burg, according to City Admin­is­trator Fred Russell.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta officials seize plane in effort to collect tax debt
Richmond County Tax Commis­sioner Steven Kendrick went to the airport last week to catch a plane – or two. Kendrick wasn’t looking for a flight. He was trying to prevent one.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City rollout of new 311 line begins
The city's popular customer service line – and behind it, the popular voice of Augusta Cares Coordinator Martha King – isn't going away but is going through a major change.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Mill campuses are 'city effort,' Azziz says
While he calls the early plans to convert former Augusta mills into campuses for Georgia Regents University a potential “game-changer,” President Ricardo Azziz said it is still a “city effort” that the university is not ready yet to invest in.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

GMA listening session offers glimpse of the downtown development act
Reviving downtowns for economic prosperity is the centerpiece of a Renaissance Act being proposed by the Georgia Municipal Association.
Source: McDuffie Progress

Grant will fund second phase of Summerville survey
For four months, Robyn Ander­son pounded the pavement with a camera in hand, snapping exterior photos of houses, commercial buildings and hotels in the Summerville Historic District.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Group surveying Augusta residents on need for work, living space for artists
Finding creative work and living space can be a challenge for artists in Augusta, but a fledgling development plan could bring more resources if enough interest is shown.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Listening session focuses on Fort Gordon's impact on Augusta area
As Washington prepares to restructure the Army, area leaders met Thursday to express support for Fort Gordon, which could lose thousands of soldiers in Defense Department budget reductions.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Mills, cultural campus plans need $1.5 million to proceed
Advancing Augusta’s plans to develop a Mills and Cultural Campus in support of Georgia Regents University’s expansion will cost about $1.5 million, consultant Matt Kwatinetz told the Augusta Commission at a retreat Wednesday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Fort Gordon to hold 'listening session' on potential troop reductions
Fort Gordon will hold a “listening session” Thursday to give area residents, community leaders and elected officials an opportunity to provide feedback on potential troop reductions at the local Army post.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Downtown retail project starting soon
The Downtown Development Authority of Augusta said Monday it plans to hire an Alabama retail consulting firm to aid in attracting businesses to Augusta.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Walton project adds to south Augusta revival
The new accessible housing project by Walton Com­munity Services, its 15th in the Augusta area, is also part of a turnaround for the Dover-Lyman area of south Augusta led by community groups and religious and city leaders.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Municipal building renovation raises questions
Augusta Commission members broke ground Monday on about $40 million in additions and renovations to Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building; then, some of them called into question why the construction project was expanding.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta deploys humming tool to find clogged sewers
A humming, high-tech “RAT” is saving time and money by finding blocked sewer lines – and getting some curious stares, too.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commission to discuss buying building, renovating old library
An ambitious relocation plan for Augusta Utilities Department that includes the purchase of a Laney-Walker Boulevard building and renovation of the former downtown Augusta library goes before an Augusta Commission committee Monday for approval.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Cherry Tree residents unfazed by delay in moving
Residents of Cherry Tree Crossing were largely unfazed by news Tuesday that demolition of the housing project won’t happen as soon as officials originally announced.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Subcommittee to review Augusta conflict of interest policy
In a move that surprised some on the panel, Augusta Commissioner Donnie Smith took the matter of the commission's conflict of interest policy in a new direction Tuesday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Transit expansion likely to headline Tuesday Augusta commission meeting
Expansion of Augusta’s bus service south and west will likely take center stage again at Tuesday’s meeting of the Augusta commission.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City gets little response to campus proposal
While it has seen little more than an acknowledgement by Georgia Regents University officials, the city of Augusta has proposed a vast plan to develop the GRU campus into one of the world’s “most iconic, beautiful and innovative,” according to project documents.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

New law would restrict Grovetown tattoos
The only tattoo shop in Grovetown might become a monopoly if city leaders enact the area’s toughest restrictions today.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta commissioners Chicago-bound
More accolades for Augusta’s Laney-Walker/Bethlehem redevelopment project is sending two city commissioners to Chicago for five days to accept an award.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta officials plan to check ticket broker licenses
Augusta officials will be out next week checking the licenses of ticket brokers to ensure that those who are trading in Masters Tournament badges are complying with state and local laws.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City course offers other side of golf
To the world, it might be Masters Week in Augusta, but for Augusta Municipal Golf Course, it’s just another week.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Push to convert fire station to museum continues
The old Engine Company No. 7 opened its doors Thursday to welcome the public into what Augusta firefighters envision will becuome a museum that preserves the city’s firefighting history.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City set to buy land for Twiggs Circle housing project
Construction on the first phase of new public housing units near Twiggs Street is set to begin as early as the fall, provided environmental cleanup is completed and rundown houses are demolished.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta local option sales tax collections down
The sales tax collections that Augusta depends on for capital projects, operations, school construction and, soon, transportation projects were down nearly 5 percent in February over last year.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commission lets downtown tax district expire
Supporters’ efforts to revive the special tax district that funded the Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative for five years stood little chance Tuesday before the Augusta Com­mission.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Public hearing, debate planned on renewal of downtown Augusta business district
Fans of the Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative say please don’t throw it out completely, despite resistance from downtown property owners.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta officials discuss plans to dismantle urban tax district
After months of discussion, Augusta officials are moving toward a plan that would dismantle the existing urban services tax district to create a uniform set of taxes and fees for all property owners.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta mayor 'excited' about mill district proposal
A day after a secret proposal to convert sections of Augusta’s mill district and downtown into campus expansion space for Georgia Re­gents University, Mayor Deke Copenhaver said he felt a sense of relief.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Historic Augusta mills might become GRU campus expansion
City officials are pitching the idea of redeveloping two historic textile mills into educational and housing space for the expansion of the Georgia Regents University campus.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commissioners question waste collection contract
Augusta Commission members continue to question the details of the city's new weekly waste collection contract, nearly a year after the commission approved the deal with two waste haulers, Inland Service Corp. and Advanced Disposal.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commissioners want harsher punishment for conflict of interest
At least two Augusta Commission members would like to see the city's conflict of interest policy have a little more bite than the “censure” the body inflicted on three of its members March 5 for working as subcontractors on city jobs.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Some Downtown Augusta bars opt for nonsmoking policy
In February 2012, the Augusta Commission voted down a proposed ordinance banning smoking in all public places and outdoor work sites.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Patch-First Tee partnership gets go-ahead
Augusta commissioners authorized further pursuit of a golf “partnership” between the municipal golf course and a national youth golf program, but left options open with two private companies that previously bid to run the city course.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commission to discuss Patch proposal
A proposed partnership between First Tee of Augusta and Augusta Municipal Golf Course is reviving hope among some city commissioners for keeping management of the course in local hands.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Delegation opens door to raising salaries
The stage is set for Augusta legislators to adjust the salaries of one or more Richmond County elected officials, whether or not the Augusta Commission agrees.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commission OKs renovations at municipal building
The Augusta Commission gave the go-ahead Monday to a full refurbishing of the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building funded by issuing $26.5 million in bonds and by existing and future sales tax revenues.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

First Tee, Patch partnership proposed
A nearby youth golf course might be the answer to management issues at Augusta Municipal Golf Course.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission considers full renovation of Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building
An Augusta Commission committee on Friday moved closer to approving a full remodeling of the municipal building.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Tax allocation district could help hotel near Augusta Convention Center
With the Augusta Convention Center complete, a long-discussed Hyatt hotel on Reynolds Street could be gaining momentum with potential tax incentives to move the project forward.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Clean Augusta not dead; ends ties with DDA
The board of directors that governs the Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative has severed ties with the Downtown Development Authority and authority Executive Director Margaret Woodard to improve the chances a new downtown service district has of succeeding.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

More Augusta officials seek raises
How much are Augusta's elected officials worth? Taxpayers are about to find out, as four more extend a hand for a local supplement to their state-mandated minimum salaries.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta leaders not concerned about events leaving county
As several annual events leave Augusta for its suburban neighbor, Commissioner Joe Jackson worries about what’s left in the dust.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Convention Center gets grand opening downtown
Area leaders celebrated the grand opening of Augusta’s newest attraction – a riverfront convention center in the heart of downtown Augusta – as a transformative moment for the city Thursday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Committee slated to review potential conflicts
The Augusta Commission will review payments to its members for work done under city contracts at a committee meeting Monday, unless time runs short.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City officials continue to grapple with tax solutions
Commissioners still don’t have a solution for reshaping Augusta’s flawed property tax system, but at least they know what won’t work.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Finalist chosen for Augusta recreation director
The director of New Haven (Conn.) Parks, Recreation and Trees for the past 14 years is in line to become director of the Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities if the Augusta Commission approves.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Bus company's contract will be terminated
The Augusta Commission voted 9-1 to give Mobility Transit Services LLC, the company that runs the city bus service, 90 days’ notice of its intent to terminate its contract.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

State officials assure Augusta business leaders of transportation tax
State leaders meeting with members of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce during Tuesday’s visit to the Capitol all got the same question: How is the transportation tax going?
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta firefighters recognized for efforts to save toddler
Augusta firefighters who pulled a toddler from a burning house Feb. 10 were honored by the Augusta Commission on Tuesday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

15th Street study finds need for lakes, gardens among new homes and businesses
Wetlands, a fish farm, lakes and large community gardens integrated with affordable housing and commercial development are part of a planned vision for an expansive section of Augusta’s urban core.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Exception would let commissioners do business with Augusta
Augusta Commission members and city employees might have an easier time doing business with the city under a proposed revision to its conflict of interest policy.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Mayor Deke Copenhaver to speak at outsourcing conference
Mayor Deke Copenhaver has been invited to speak about the positive impact of an IT outsourcing firm on Augusta’s economy next week at a global outsourcing conference in Phoenix.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

2 firms' Augusta Municipal Golf Course bids to get second look
Two Florida golf management companies get a second chance at running Augusta Municipal Golf Course after management deals with at least three other private firms fell apart.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City to revisit 2009 transit study before taking action on expansion plans
After a lengthy discussion about the need to expand the city’s public transit services, the Augusta Commission on Tuesday agreed to revisit a 2009 transit study that has yet to be fully implemented.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Three finalists selected for city Human Resources director
The field has been narrowed to three candidates to fill the long-vacant human resources director position for the city of August.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission denies salary supplements for sheriff, state court solicitor
The salaries for Richmond County’s new sheriff and state court solicitor won’t be any higher after the Augusta Commission denied increases for both elected officials following a nearly two-hour closed legal meeting Monday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Copenhaver optimistic about Augusta's direction in State of City address
In his annual State of the City address, Mayor Deke Copenhaver said he’s excited about the future he sees for Augusta.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Patch bidder backs out
Repeatedly rejected by a divided Augusta Commission, a Virginia golf management company opted Wednesday to withdraw its bid to run Augusta Municipal Golf Course.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Votes on 'Patch' lease stall; vote to re-bid ambulance service passes
Augusta Municipal Golf Course will remain under city management and the city’s ambulance service will be put on notice of the city’s intent to seek competitive bids after a heated commission meeting Tuesday.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Commissioners want to expand city transit service
The private firm that manages Augusta Public Transit might be on the way out as the Augusta Commission develops a plan to expand the transit system.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Opinions continue to differ on ways to keep downtown clean
One month after the Clean Au­gusta Downtown Initiative disappeared, opinions vary from business owners and city leaders on ways to keep streets and sidewalks tidy.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta fire chief looks back and ahead after first year
Twelve months have gone by in a flash for Augusta-Richmond County Fire Chief Chris James.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta's ambulance service might be put out for bids after 8 years with Gold Cross
Augusta Commission member Grady Smith has recent firsthand experience with the city’s ambulance service provider, Gold Cross.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta makes progress in taking down blighted properties
As of January, Augusta had more than 180 open “public officer” cases – structures on its list to be demolished and another 100 or so cases in the process of working toward that final resolution.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Old city pensioners could get Social Security
A handful of employees belonging to the city’s oldest pension plans might get a reprieve on the plans’ exclusion of them from Social Security retirement.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Proposal would forbid local governments from hiding embarrassing memorials
Legislation introduced this week in the Georgia Legislature would prohibit local governments from hiding monuments they are no longer proud of.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Top vacancies in city government might be filled
The city of Augusta is poised to fill two long-vacant department head positions.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commissioner Grady Smith says ailments won't stop him
He may be down, but Super District 10 Comm­issioner Grady Smith says don’t count him out.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City may re-bid ambulance service
A self-renewing ambulance service contract that Augusta Fire Chief Chris James characterized as “vague” and difficult to enforce could be replaced.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

New commissioners briefed on Augusta tax problems
A subcommittee of the Augusta Commission directed city staffers to come up with suggestions for restructuring the county’s flawed property tax system.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Homeowners upset that only portion of Lake Olmstead will be dredged
Homeowners along Lake Olmstead got a rude awakening when a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ notice of a pending city dredging application pointed to a forgotten corner of the 100-acre lake across Washington Road.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta fire chief, retirees want to convert old station into museum
Augusta-Richmond County Fire Chief Chris James and a band of retired and current firefighters are renewing a push to convert the nearly 100-year-old building that once housed Augusta Engine Company No. 7 into a fire museum and education center.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

City continues to use costly outside counsel despite staff attorneys
While the amount has decreased recently, the city of Au­gusta continues to rely heavily on costly outside counsel, spending nearly $700,000 on legal fees in 2012 despite employing five staff attorneys.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Seeking influence, Ga. governments hire lobbyists
If residents want to influence state policy, they call their Georgia lawmaker. When local governments want influence, they hire a lobbyist.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Interviews begin Tuesday for Augusta recreation director
The Augusta Commission and city administrator will start interviews Tuesday with candidates to replace fired Recreation, Parks and Facilities Director Tom Beck.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Despite poor grade, Augusta levee still protects
Augusta’s 93-year-old levee is among many across the U.S. that earned a failing inspection grade from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Money for Augusta Convention Center pedestrian bridge stalls on 4-4 vote
Augusta is no closer to having a pedestrian bridge across Reynolds Street downtown after a motion to deny funding the bridge failed 4-4 Tuesday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

2009 contract disparity study takes focus in Augusta Commission workshop
A $586,000 study of race and gender disparities in Augusta's awarding of government contracts, which has been sitting on a shelf for almost four years, took center stage at an Augusta Com­mis­sion workshop Monday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Pedestrian bridge issue returns to Augusta Commission
The Augusta Commission on Tuesday will reconsider a motion to fund a pedestrian bridge across Reynolds Street.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commissioners to revist disparity study
Augusta commissioners will revisit a 2009 study of disparity in the city's award of contracts to minorities and women at a work session today requested by Commissioner Marion Williams.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Health clinic open to city employees Monday
More than 1,400 city employees and their families will have the option to use a free health clinic when Augusta Health and Wellness Center opens Monday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Public views plan to narrow Laney Walker through GRU campus
The public got a first look Tuesday at plans to narrow Laney-Walker Boulevard between 15th Street and R.A. Dent Boulevard to improve the safety of pedestrians crossing through the Georgia Regents Uni­versity campus.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commisison, delegation hope meeting leads to fewer legislative surprises
Augusta’s legislative delegation and Augusta Commis­sion members haven’t always had the best relationship, but after meeting for the first time in two years Tuesday, they seemed to agree on one thing: A whopping amount of money will soon start to flow into city coffers as collections begin for the Transportation Investment Act.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Transit expansion plans gain ground
A plan to expand Augusta Public Transit across south and west Augusta and to Fort Gordon gained traction Monday as an Augusta Com­mission committee decided to hold a work session on the topic.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commission waits to decide on pedestrian bridge
Plans to build a pedestrian bridge across Reynolds Street connecting Augusta's new convention center to a parking deck remain on hold after a committee on Monday forwarded the matter to the Augusta Commission with no recommendation.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta legislators plan meeting with commission
Members of Augusta’s legislative delegation are scheduled to meet with the Augusta Commission at 10 a.m. Tuesday as part of a daylong session scheduled with city officials.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Committee to consider pedestrian bridge
An elevated pedestrian bridge connecting Augusta’s new convention center to its parking garage across Rey­nolds Street returns for consideration by an Augusta Com­mis­sion committee Monday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

MCG Foundation negotiates deal to buy city bus depot
Medical College of Georgia Foundation Inc. has negotiated a deal to buy the bus depot the city voted nearly one year ago to sell to a company developing a Walmart.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Justice Department rejects bill to move Augusta elections
An Augusta legislator’s effort to move Augusta Commission elections from No­vember to Ju­ly was rejected by the U.S. Jus­tice Department as a veiled effort to dilute minority voting strength in the city, but don’t expect the highly partisan issue to die an easy death.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Richmond County Neighborhood Alliance starts petition on ambulance service
Some local activists are passing around a petition to get the Augusta Commission to look at the city’s ambulance contract.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta employee insurance glitch tied to providers
The new year brought a few unwelcome surprises at the pharmacy or doctor’s office for city of Augusta employees whose insurance cards showed up as invalid.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Commissioners discuss goals at retreat
The Augusta commission, including its four new members, talked about their goals in a four-hour retreat Thursday.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Johnson voted Augusta mayor pro tem
The Augusta Commission elected District 2 Commissioner Corey Johnson as mayor pro tem and approved standing committee assignments during the body’s first meeting of 2013.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Legal challenge continues over city's choice to manage health insurance fund
The insurance company whose protest failed to convince Augusta commissioners to change their decision to award a lucrative contract to Blue Cross Blue Shield will pursue its challenge in court.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Corey Johnson seeking mayor pro tem spot on Augusta Commission
Augusta Commission member Corey Johnson says now is his time to hold the city’s No. 2 slot as mayor pro tem.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Convention center takes shape after contentious year
A decade in the making, the Augusta Convention Center took shape during 2012 and now stands ready to play host to the conventions a 2002 study said the city was losing because of a lack of suitable space.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Firm to seek unpaid Augusta business taxes
Making a buck on an Augusta street corner or as an independent contractor could get a little more expensive for some in the new year.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta commission OKs Patch management deal
Augusta commissioners gave the go-ahead Thursday to lease Augusta Municipal Golf Course to a Virginia Beach, Va., golf management company at the year’s final called meeting.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta commission to revisit Patch vote
The Augusta Commission will take another swing today at leasing the city-owned golf course to a Virginia Beach, Va., firm.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Former chamber building to house economic development initiative
Mayor Deke Copenhaver’s idea for a regional collaboration project to spur economic development has its first long-term home in the former Augusta Metro Cham­ber of Commerce building in the Broad Street median.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta officials say GreenJackets' move not a complete loss
Though the Augusta Green­Jackets’ owners looked outside of Augusta for a new stadium when the team couldn’t get one here, most city officials don’t view the team’s decision to move across the river to South Carolina as a complete loss.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Firm's pitch to manage Patch voted down
Augusta Municipal Golf Course will remain under city management for now after a move to enter lease negotiations with a Virginia Beach, Va., golf management firm failed.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Business Improvement District fails commission vote
Augusta’s downtown Business Improvement District will likely end its five-year tenure as a funding source for the Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative after an Augusta Commission vote to renew it failed, 5-4.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Greater Augusta Arts Council leads campaign for art in public spaces
A new campaign by the Greater Augusta Arts Council is aiming to brighten the city one piece of artwork at a time.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Lawsuit over apartment zoning puts pressure on Augusta Commission
The Augusta Commission is being sued into reconsidering a rezoning action prohibiting another apartment complex in the congested area.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Efforts to revise Augusta's tax system on hold until 2013
Efforts by Augusta officials to come up with a plan to fix the consolidated government’s flawed property tax system have stalled after a couple of meetings.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Downtown Augusta business district still seeking support
The withdrawal of support by downtown Augusta’s largest property owner hasn’t daunted Downtown Development Authority Director Margaret Woodard’s commitment to the Business Improvement District.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Downtown Business Improvement District lacking support for renewal
A program intended to help keep downtown Augusta clean and safe is in jeopardy.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Laney-Walker revitalization project includes neighborhood 'pocket parks'
Small but mighty – that’s how urban design experts describe “pocket parks” such as the one recently completed as part of the Laney-Walker neighborhood revitalization project.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta elections officials to scruntinize vacant lot voters
Richmond County elections officials are investigating a group of voters who don’t appear to live where they are registered.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission member wants to name new building for retiring Sheriff Ronnie Strength
Augusta Commission member Joe Jack­son is pushing to name the new Rich­­mond County sheriff’s administration building for retiring Sheriff Ronnie Strength.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission approves first phases of stormwater fee
Whether it rains or not, Augusta is headed into the countywide imposition of a so-called rain tax, billed to all property owners to cover the cost of stormwater management.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Fennoy defeats Aitken in District 1 runoff
Bill Fennoy defeated incumbent Matt Aitken to represent majority-black Augusta Commission District 1, restoring a 5-5 racial balance on the 10-member commission.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission to take up insurer's bid protest again
A bid protest that has some city employees worrying they might not have health insurance come Jan. 1 goes before the Augusta Commission again today.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Runoff Tuesday will settle District 1 Augusta Commission race
Voters in Augusta’s Dis­trict 1 return to the polls today to decide who will represent them on the Au­gus­ta Commis­sion.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Request for temporary stay on Augusta health care insurance contract denied
A request for an emergency injunction to prevent Augusta’s city administrator from immediately signing a contract for employee health insurance was denied Friday afternoon.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Turnout low in advance voting for District 1 Augusta Commission runoff
Voters are showing little interest in the Augusta Commission runoff between incumbent Matt Aitken and challenger Bill Fennoy for the District 1 post.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission members interview finalists for HR director job
One of two former military men experienced in local government human resources in Florida is likely to become Augusta’s new human resources director.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta Commission rejects transit chief nominee
The latest surprise in Au­gusta’s relationship with Mo­bility Transit, the company hired last year to run its beleaguered bus service, was Mobility’s recommendation of a former Miami-Dade County, Fla., transit director to serve as general manager.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta stormwater fee advances
Augusta Commission members took steps Monday toward imposing a new stormwater fee to repair city drainage infrastructure, with the city’s engineering services committee voting to approve the first steps of a 14-year process.
Source: Augusta Chronicle

Augusta alcohol retailers might face fee increase
Eight months since gaining the right to sell package beer, wine or liquor on Sundays, Augusta alcohol retailers might finally see an associated increase in license fees.
Source: Augusta Chronicle