Finance Committee Meeting

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, August 29, 2023 1:10 PM FINANCE PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson Commissioner Jordan Johnson Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle Commissioner Francine Scott Commissioner Stacy Pulliam 1. Motion to approved funding for the November 7, 2023 .05% sales and use tax for the James Brown arena. Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Pulliam. Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam Motion carries 4-0. 2. Discuss and find a path forward to funding/ hiring Post Certified guards for prison work crews that is so desperately needed. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve receiving this item as information and refer it to the Administrator as a funding priority for inclusion in the upcoming budget discussions. Motion made by Pulliam, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam Motion carries 4-0. 3. Discuss the funding stream for the renovations of existing jail and build a new jail pod. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve funding in the amount of $310,000 from the Contingency Fund as an emergency procurement for the replacement of locks and hinges at the Jail and to defer to the Administrator to come back with recommendations on funding for the new Jail pod. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Scott.  Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam. Motion carries 4-0. 4. Discuss requesting each department within the Augusta-Richmond County Consolidated Government model a 5% & 10% budget cut; to include the general and expenditure funding accounts. (Requested by Mayor Garnett L. Johnson) Motion to refer this item to the full Commission with no recommendation. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Pulliam. Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam Motion carries 4-0. 5. Motion to approve the minutes of the Finance Committee held on August 8, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Pulliam. Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam Motion carries 4-0. 6. Discuss a funding shortfall for the 2023 Arts in the Heart Festival. Motion to approve funding in the amount of $30,000 for the shortfall for the 2023 Arts in the Heart Festival. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Pulliam. Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam Motion carries 4-0. Motion to reconsider the motion. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Scott. Motion carries 4-0. Motion amended to approve charging the $30,000 to the Contingency Fund for the Arts in the Heart Festival. It was the consensus of the committee that this be approved without objection. 7. Adopt updated funding timeline to reflect increased collection rate. Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Pulliam. Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam Motion carries 4-0. 8. Motion to approve resolution authorizing proceeding with the issuance by Augusta, Georgia of its water and sewerage revenue bonds in order (A) to finance in whole or in part, the cost of certain improvements to the water and sewerage system of Augusta, Georgia and (B) if economically feasible to refund outstanding debt of Augusta, Georgia relating to the water and  sewerage system; to declare the intent of Augusta Georgia to reimburse itself with a portion of the proceeds of such bonds for expenditures made in connection with such improvements; and for other related purposes. Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Pulliam. Voting Yea: Johnson, Guilfoyle, Scott, Pulliam Motion carries 4-0. 9. Motion to approve funding to replace irrigation system for the entire length of Henry Street. (Requested by Commissioner Catherine McKnight). (Referred from the August 15, 2023 Commission Meeting) It was the consensus of the committee that this item be referred to the next committee meeting without objection.