More Jobs. Safer Streets. Brighter Future for Augusta.
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AUGUSTA IS GROWING, AND THE MOMENTUM IS REAL
To keep our future bright, we must continue investing in projects that create economic opportunity and strengthen public safety.
SPLOST 9 is the continuation of a one-cent sales tax - paid by residents and visitors alike - that funds critical infrastructure, public safety improvements, and quality-of-life enhancements without raising property taxes.
Nearly one-third of SPLOST 9 funding is dedicated to public safety, while additional investments support job creation, economic development, and parks and recreation, making Augusta the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
KEEPING AUGUSTA SAFE
Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community. SPLOST 9 ensures Augusta’s first responders and public safety professionals have the tools, facilities, and infrastructure they need to protect our families.
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Originally constructed in 1997, the Charles B. Webster Detention Center is operating well beyond its intended capacity and is in urgent need of renovation and expansion.
SPLOST 9 will:
Add approximately 300 additional inmate beds
Upgrade critical security systems
Improve the jail kitchen and inmate housing pods
Address severe daily overcrowding
Currently, approximately 95% of inmates are not eligible for release due to serious charges, repeat offenses, or court backlogs. Overcrowding creates unsafe conditions for staff and inmates alike and prevents proper classification and separation.
SPLOST 9 will:
Ensure violent and high-risk offenders remain securely housed
Reduce operational strain
Improve safety for detention officers
Strengthen the effectiveness of Augusta’s criminal justice system
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SPLOST 9 funds the replacement of 45 fully equipped law enforcement vehicles each year.
Today, many patrol vehicles remain in service for more than a decade or exceed 200,000 miles, well beyond recommended standards. Aging vehicles increase maintenance costs and risk downtime.
Replacing these vehicles enhances deputy safety, improves emergency response reliability, and stabilizes long-term maintenance costs.
Reliable equipment means faster response times and safer streets.
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SPLOST 9 supports the creation of a centralized Joint Operations Center to enhance security monitoring across Augusta.
This purpose-built facility will:
Centralize video monitoring, access control, and intrusion detection.
Coordinate with the Sheriff’s Office, 911, Traffic Engineering, and other agencies.
Expand fiber and connectivity infrastructure for improved security operations.
As Augusta grows and technology advances, so do security threats. This investment ensures county facilities, including libraries, recreation centers, and government buildings, are protected with modern systems.
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Aging fire apparatus increases maintenance costs, causes downtime, and risks failure to meet modern safety standards. They can also negatively impact ISO ratings.
SPLOST 9 replaces units that have reached or exceeded their service life, ensuring firefighters can respond quickly and safely.
A new modern fire station will improve emergency response capability, provide energy-efficient, up-to-date facilities, support firefighter physical and mental health, and offer community meeting space for civic groups and nonprofits.
JOBS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SPLOST 9 strengthens Augusta’s economic future by investing in the infrastructure required to attract employers and create good-paying jobs.
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The Sewer Infrastructure Expansion (South Augusta to McCombs Road Mega-Site) project extends residential, commercial, and industrial sewer capacity to support large-scale development.
Major employers require ready sites with modern infrastructure. Without sewer capacity, growth stalls. With it, Augusta competes and wins.
This investment positions South Augusta for long-term job creation, private sector expansion, and increased economic opportunity.
· Creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs
· Billions in potential private investment, millions in local tax revenue
· Unlocks 1,120 acres for housing development, up to 2,800 new homes
· New retail, restaurants, and services in South Augusta
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The convention center plays a vital role in Augusta’s economic growth and community development. It creates jobs, supports local vendors, generates significant tax revenue, and hosts public events that benefit the entire community.
Expanding the convention center by 20,000 square feet will help keep Augusta competitive while creating new jobs and expanding economic opportunity.
QUALITY OF LIFE
SPLOST 9 enhances Augusta’s quality of life by investing in parks, recreation, and community spaces that bring families together and attract visitors.
SPLOST 9 funds:
Renovation of sports courts across Augusta
Park enhancements and modernization
Major investment in Diamond Lakes
Improvements to 5th Street Marina
Upgrades to Augusta Soccer Park
These projects create safe, modern, and accessible recreational spaces for children, families, and seniors alike.
VOTE YES FOR SPLOST 9
SPLOST 9 represents a smart investment in Augusta’s future.
By strengthening public safety, expanding economic opportunity, and enhancing our quality of life, SPLOST 9 keeps Augusta moving forward.