Special Called/Augusta Committee Meeting

Augusta, Georgia Special Called Committee Meeting — October 13, 2026. The Finance Committee unanimously approved a $510,013 disbursement from the Augusta-Richmond County Opioid Abatement Trust Fund to six organizations: Hope House ($65,000), One 4 Three Ministries ($200,000), AU Project 7 ($64,544), AU Project 5 ($51,736), Augusta Players ($46,200), and AU Project 3 ($82,533). The awards are subject to individual agreements, allowable-use restrictions, and quarterly expenditure, activity, and outcome reporting; $89,987 would remain in the fund. Members requested further information on application vetting and award oversight. The Public Safety Committee also approved by consent acceptance of a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for $305,405.50 in federal funds, with a required nonfederal share stated in the transcript as $30,005.40.

Transit service and the MV contractor, which began operating in January 2026, were discussed amid concerns about staffing, routes, and long waits; no decision was made on bringing bus operations back under city control, with budget review still underway. The Engineering Committee requested staff return November 24 with firmer cost estimates and options for a staffed, periodic recycling drop-off pilot; rough estimates were discussed but no spending was approved. Airport zoning updates responding to House Bill 1434 were described as informational, and no zoning action or procurement was taken. The commission also voted to authorize execution of a closed-meeting affidavit; officials reported no motions resulting from executive session.