HomeMy WebLinkAboutCONSOLIDATION BILL
/ Office Of The Clerk of Commission
Lena J. Bonner, CMC
Clerk of Commission
Nancy Morawski
Deputy Clerk
Room 806 - Municipal Building
530 Greene Street - Augusta, GA. 30911
(706) 821-1820 - FAX (706) 821-1838
March 24, 2000
This is to certify that, the City of Augusta and Richmond County were consolidated
effective January 1, 1996, by the passage of the Consolidation Bill by the
Legislature of the State of Georgia.
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L a J. B er
Clerk of Commission
LC 9 84065,
Howard 0 f the 11 B th and Hart of the 116 th 0 f fer c:he
following substitute to HB 805:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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To provide that the governing authority of Richmond Counc:y
shall be a board of commissioners consisting of a
chairperson-mayor and ten members; to designate the board as
the Augusta-R~chmond County Commission-Council and the
members of the board as commissioners-councilpersons; to
provide that the commission-council shall exercise the
rights, powers, and duties as the govern~ng authority of
Richmond County with both county and municipal powers; to
provide for the election of the chairperson-mayor and the
members of the commission-council; to 'provide for
commission-council d~stricts; to provide for the members of
the board of comm~ssioners of Richmond County and the mayor
and counc~lmembers of the City of Augusta and, if a certain
Act is approved in' a referendum, the board of comm~ssioners
of the City of Hephzibah; to provide for qualifications of
'the chairperson-mayor and commissioners-councilpersons; to
provide for terms of office; to provide that the
chairperson-maY9r shall be the chief executive officer of
the Augusta-Richmond County Commission-Council; to 'provide
for compensation for the chairperson-mayor, the vice
chairperson-mayor pro tempore, and the other.members of the
commission-council; to provide far the executive and
administrative powers and duties of the chairperson-mayor;
to provide for filling vacancies; to provide for a vice
chairperson-mayor pro tempore; to provide for a quorum; to
provide far the payment of bonded indebtedness of Richmond
County and the City of Augusta and, if a certain Act is
approved in a referendum, the City of Hephzibah; to create
an Urban Services District or Districts and a Suburban
Se~rices District; to provide that such districts shall
continue in existence until the commission-council modifies
or abolishes such dis~ricts by ordinance; to provide for the
continuation of existing ordinances and resolutions of the
board 0 f commiss ioners 0 E Richmond Count:y and 0 E cities
therein; to provide Eor a budget and tax levy by the board
of commiss ioners 0 f Richmond County and the governing
authorities oE certain cities therein for the 1996 calendar
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LC 9 84065
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year; to provide that tax assessments made by the board of 57
tax assessors of Richmond County and certain cities therein S8
shall constitute the basis for the assessment and collection
of taxes of the commission-council for the 1996 calendar 59
year; to provide that the tax levy in 1996 for certain 61
Cities Shall be levied by the commission-council only within 62
certain Urban Services Districts; to provide for the 63
creation of special services tax districts; to provide that
ad valorem taxes and service charges and fees shall be 64
collected according to the kind, character, type, and degree 65
of district services provided by the commiSSion-council 66
within such special services tax districts; to provide for 67
amendments to the budget for the 1996 calendar year; to 68
provide that any special services district existing in 69
Richmond County or in certain cities therein prior to 1996 70
shall continue to exist until modified or abolished by the 71
commission-council; to provide for the retention of pension 72
rights; to provide that this Act shall not result in and 73
shall not be implemented to result in the termination of any
employees of Richmond County or certain cities therein; to i4
provide that the sheriff of Richmond County shall be the 76
chief law enforcement officer in Richmond County; to provide 7i
for the utili~ation of faCilities, equipment, vehicles,
records, and personnel of the former city police departments 78
and the Richmond County Sheriff's Department; to provide SO
that the chief of the Augusta Fire Department shall be the 81
chief firefighter throughout Richmond County; to provide for
the utilization 0 f facilities, equipment, vehicles, records, B2
and personnel of city fire departments and the Richmond B3
County Fire Department; to provide for departments, 84
agencies, commissions, authorities, and other entities and
the heads, members, and personnel thereof; to provide for 85
the Municipal Court of the City of Augusta and the continued 86.
existence and jurisdiction thereof; to provide for a law 87
departmenti to provide for equal opportunities for B9
employment and promotion to all persons regardless of race, 90
sex, religion, creed, color, or national origin; to provide
for minority economic development and business; to provide 91
for construction of certain Acts; to create a transition 92
task force; to provide for the duties and responsibilities 93
of the transition task force and the board of commissioners 94
of Richmond County and the governing authorities of cities 95
therein; to provide for cooperation of all officers,
officials, and employees of Richmond County and the City of 98
Augusta and the City of Hephzibah with the transition task 99
for:=e; to prov.ide for the examination of all records, files, 100
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LC 9 84065
I. and other data of Richmond County and the City of Augusta 101
2 and the City of Hephzibah by the transition task force; to 102
3 provide that the transition task force shall be auth~rized 103
4 to receive and expend' appropriations from the board of 104
5 commissioners of RiChmond County and from the mayor and city 105
6 council of Augusta and the board of commissioners of the 106
7 City of Hephzibah; to provide that members of the transition 107
8 task force shall receive no compensation for their services
9 as such members; to provide for other matters relative to 109
10 the foregoing; to provide for the conditions under which 110
11 this Act shall become effective; to provide for a 111
12 referendum; to provide. for conditional and other effective
13 dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. 11]
14 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: 116
15 PART I 118
16 SECTION 1. 120
17 The governing authority of RiChmond County shall be a board 123
18 of commissioners of said county. Said board is designated
19 as the Augusta-Richmond County Commission-Council, referred 124
20 to in this Act as the "commission-council." The chief 125
21 executive officer of said board is designated and referred 127
22 to in this Act as the "chairperson-mayor" and the other
23 members of said board are designated and referred to in this 129
24 Act as "commissioners-councilpersons." The board shall 130
25 cons ist of a chairperson-mayor and ten 131
26 commissioners-councilpersons. The commission-council shall 132
27 exercise and be subject to all of the rights, powers, 13]
28 duties, and obligations imposed by this Act or previously 134
29 applicable to the governing authorities of the City of.
]0 Augusta and Richmond County, and the City of Hephzibah if 1]5
]1 consolidated with the government of Richmond. County as 136
]2 authorized by th~s Act, and to any general laws, local law, 137
33 or constitutional provisions applicable or effective within L38
]4 the former City of Augusta, the former City of Hephzibah if 139
]5 consolidated with the government of Richmond County as 140
]6 authorized by this Act, and Richmond County. The
37 commission-council shall constitute a county as well as a 142
38 municipality for the purpose of the application of the
39 general laws and Constitution of this state. The 143
40 consolidated government shall have a municipal form of 144
41 government. The commission-council may exercise the powers 145
42 vested in the governing authority of the municipalic:y or
43 municipalities and municipalities generally as well as the 146
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LC 9 84065
1 powers vested in the former governing authority of the 148
2 c:ounty and counties generally.
3 SECTION 2. 150
4 (a) (1) For the purpose of electing members of the 152
5 commission-council, Richmond County is divided into ten 153
6 commission-council districts as follows:
7 Commission-Council District: 1 155
8 RICHMOND COUNTY 156
9 VTD: 0001 1 157
10 VTD: 0002 lA 158
11 VTD: 0003 2 (Part) 159
12 Tract: 0007. 160
13 Block(s): 112, 113, 114, 115, 117, 118, 125, 161
14 126, 128, 129, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 163
15. 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 164
16 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 301, 302,
17 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 165
18 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 323, 166
19 324, 40i, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 167
20 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417,
21 419, 420, 421, 422 1,68
22 Tract: 0009. 169
23 Block( s) : 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 301, 302, 170
24 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 401, 172
25 404, 405, 406, 407
26 Tract: 0015. 173
2.7 Block(s): lOLA, 103, 307, 308, 309 174
28 Tract: 0106. 175
29 Block(s): 902A, 902B, 902C, 906A, 906B, 907, 176
30 915A, 915B, 917, 918, 919, 920A 177
31 VTD: 0004 2A 178
J2 VTD: 0012 5 179
33 VTD: 0013 SA 180
34 VTD: 0019 7 (Part) 181
35 Tract: 0001. 182
36 Bloc:k( s) : 209, 210, 211, 302, 303, 304, 305, 183
37 409, 410, 413
38 V'I'D : 0020 7A 184
39 V'I'D : 0021 8 (Part) 185
40 Tract: 0001- 186
41 Block(s): 415. 501, 502, 505, 506, 507, 508, 187
',42 509, 511, 512, S16A, 516B IBB
43 VTD: 0022 8A ( Part) 189
44 Tract: 0016. 190
LC 9. 84065
1 Block( s) : 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 191
2 110, 219A, 233
3 VTD: 0026 85-1 192
4 Commission-Council District: 2 193
S RICHMOND COUNTY 194
6 VTD: 0003 2 (Part) 195
7 Tract: 0009. 196
8 Block( s) : 402, 403, 408, 409, 501, 502, 503, 197
9 504, 505, 506,507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 601, 605 199
10 VTD: 0005 3 (Part) 200
11 Trac t : 0009. 201
12 Block( s) : 602, '606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 612, 613 202
13 Tract: 0010. 203
14 Block( s) : 122, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 204
15 207, 208, 209, ' 305, 306, .307, 308, 309, 310, . 206
16 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 419, 420, 422, 207
17 423, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 440, 441, 444
18 VTD: 0008 4 208
19 VTD: 0009 4A 209
20 VTD: 0010 4B 210
21 VTD: 0011 4C 211
22 VTD: 0014 5B 212
23 VTD: 0027 85-2 213
24 VTD: 0029 85-3 214
25 VTD: 0039 88-1 215.
26 VTD: 0042 98-4 216
27 VTD: 0044 88-6 217
29 Commission-Council District: 3 218
29 RICHMOND COUNTY 219
30 VTD: 0005 3 (Part) 220
31 Trac't: 0010. 221
32 Block( s) : 406, 415, 416, 417, 418, 428, 429, 222
]3 436, 437, 438, 439, H2 223
]4 VTD: 0015 6 (Part) 224
]5 Tract: 001l. 225
36 Block( s) : 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 226
37 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 201, 202, 203, 228
]8 204, 205, 206
39 Tract: 0012. 229
40 Block( s) : 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 230
H 108, i09, 110, Lil, 512, 513 2]2
42 V"I'D: 0017 68 233
43 VTD: 0019 7 (Part) 234
44 Tract. : 0001. 235
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LC 9 84065
1 BlOCk( 5) : 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 236
2 208, 212, 213, 301, 411, 412 238
3 Tract: 0002. 239
4 Block (-5 ) : 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 240
5 308, 309, 310, 311
6 Tract: 0011. 241
7 Block( 5) : 101, 102, 103, 104, 105{ 209, 210, 242
8 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 301, 302, 244
9 303, 310, 311, 312, 315
10 VTD: 0021 B (Part) 245
11 Tract: 0001. 246
12 Block( s) : 414 247
13 Tract: 0011. 248
14 Block( 5) : 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 313, 249
15 314, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321 251
16 Tract: 0012. 252
17 Block( 5) : 60S, 606, 607,608 253
18 VTD: 0022 SA (Part) 254
19 Tract: 0011. 255
20 Block(s): 207, 208 256
21 Tract: 0012. 257
22 Block( s) : 601, 602/ 603, 604, 609/ 610, 611, 258
23 612, 613, 614/ 615, 901E 259
24 Tract: 0016. 260
25 Block( 5) : 101, 102, Ill, 112/ 113, 114, 115, 261
26 116, 117, 118, 119, 202A, 2Q5, 206, 207A, 208A, 263
27 209, 212, 213A, 215, 216, 217, 218, 226A, 227A 264
28 VTD: 0046 89-1 265
29 VTD: 0051 89-6 266
30 VTD: 0055 89-10 267
31 VTD: 0058 90-3 268
32 VTD: 0060 90-5 (Part) 259
33 Tract: 0016. 270
34 Block( s) : 301, 317, 318, 324, 327, 501, 502, 271
35 503B, 504, 513, 515, 516, 517, 901B, 901C 273
36 Tract: 0101. 05 274
37 Block( S) : 525/ 526, 527, 528/ 529, 530, 531, 532 275
38 Tract: 0102.01 276
39 Block(S'): 402, 404, 418/ 419/ 420, 421, 422, 277
40 430, 431
41 Tract: 0102.03 278
42 Block(s):, 401, 402, 403 279
43 Tract: 0102.04 280
44 Block(s) : 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 281
45 708, 709, 710, 711, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905 283
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LC 9. 94065
Commission-Council District: 4
RICHMOND COUNTY
lITO: 0031 86-3 (Part)
Tract: 0107.05
Block( s): 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109
IITD: 0032 86-4 (Part)
Tract: 0107.03
Block(s): 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110,
111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119,
120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128,
129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 13'4, 135, 136,' 1.37,
138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146,
147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153
Tract: 0107.04
Block(s): 101, 103, 148, 149, 150,151, 152,
153, 154
Tract: 0108.
Block( s): 901F
lITO: 0049 89-4
lITO: 0053 89-B
Commission-Council District: 5
RICHMOND COUNTY
'nO: 0006 3A
lITO: 0007 3B
lITO: 0015 6 (Part)
Tract: 0012.
Block(s): 112, 113,201, 202, 203, 204, 205,
206, 207, 208, 501, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510,
511, 90lA
Tract: 00113.
Block(s): 207, 208, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214,
215, 216, 225A
IJTD: 0016 6A
VTD: 0018 6C
lITO: 00218 (Part)
Tract: 0012.
Block(s): 402, 616
lITO: 0023 8B
IITD: 0024 8e
VTO: 0040 88-2
'ITO: 004188-3
VTD: 0043 88-5
'nD: 004 5 88 - 7
V'I'D: 0047 89-2
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LC 9 84065
1 VTD: 0052 89-7
2 Commission-Council District: 6
3 RICHMOND COUNTY
4 VTD: 0030 86-2 (Part)
5 Tract: 0105.10
6 Block(s): 401
7 VTD: 0031 86-3 (Part)
8 Tract: 0107.05
9 Block(s): 201, 202,' 203, 204, 205, 206,
10 208,209,210,211,212, 21-3, 214, 215,
11 217, 218, 219, 220, 221,222.,223,224,
12226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233,
13 235, 236, 237, 238, 244, 245, 246, 247
14 VTD: 0032 86-4 (Part)
15 Tract: 0107.04
16 Block(s): 102, 104, lOS, 106, 107,108,
17 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117,
18 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126,
19 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134,135,
20 137, 138, 139, 140, HI, 142, 143, 144,
21 146, 147, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160,
22 162, 163
23 VTD: 0035 86-7
24 VTD: 0036 86-8 (Part)
25 Trac~: 0107.06
26 Block(s): 106, 107, 108, 109,203,204,
27 206,207,208,209,210, 211, 212, 213,
28 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 301, 302,
29 304, 305, 306
30 . VTD: 0050 89-5
31 VTD: 0063 FG1
32VTD: 0064 FG2
33 VTD: 0066 FG4
34 VTD: 0067 FG5
35 VTD: 0068 FG6
36 Commission-Council District: 7
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RICHMOND COUNTY
VTD: 0037 87-1
VTD: 0038 87-2
VTD: 0056 90-1
VTD: 0057 90-2
VTD: 0059 90-4
VTD: 0060 90-5 (Part)
Tract: 0102.01
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207, 333
216, 335
225, 336
234,
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339
109, 340
118, 342
127, 343
136,
145, 344
161, 345
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205, 349
214, 351
303, 352
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LC 9 84065
and 5 as each is described in detail above by Tract,
Block, and VTD.
Commission-Council District: 10
A combination of Commission-Council Districts 3, 6, 7,
and 8 as each is described in detail above by Tract,
Block, and VTD.
(2) For purposes of this subsection:
(A) The terms "Tract," "Block," and "VTD" shall mean
anu describe lhe same geographical boundaries as
provided in the report of the Bureau of the Census for
the United States decennial census of 1990 for the
State of Georgia;
(B) The term "Precinct"
.voting precinct" and
designated by Article 7
of the a.C.G.A., within
polling place;
is synonymous with the term
means a geographical area
of Chapter 2 or 3 of Title 21
which all electors vote at one
(C) Precinct names and designations following VTD
designations are included for convenience only; and in
the event the description of any commission-council
district contains a conflict between the geographical
boundaries of any VTD and the boundaries of the
following named precinct, the geographical boundary of
the VTD as shown on the census maps for the Uni,ted
States decennial census of 1990 for the State of
Georgia shall control;
(D) Any part of Richmond County which is not included
in any commission-council district described in this
subsection shall be included within. that
commission-council district contiguous to such part
which contains the least population according to the
United States decennial census of 1990 for the 5tate
of Georgia; and
(E) Any part of Richmond County which is descri~ed in
this subsection as being included in a particular
commission-council district shall nevertheless not be
included within such commission-council district if
such part is not contiguous to such commlss ion-council
district. Such noncontiguous part shall instead be
included within that commission-council district
contiguo~5 to such part which contains the least
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LC 9 84065
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population according to the United States decennial
census of 1990 for the 5tate of Georgia.
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(b) All members of the commission-council shall be full
voting members of the commission-council. The
chairperson-mayor shall be a member of the
commission-council. Except as otherwise provided in this
Act, the chairperson-mayor shall nave the right to vote
only to make or break a t~e vote on any matter.
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9 (c) No person shall be eligible to serre as a 457
10 commissioner-councilperson unless he or she: (1) has been 458
11 a resident of the con.unission-council district from which 459
12 elected for a period of one year immediately prior to the 460
13 date of the election; (2) continues to reside within the 461
14 commission-council district from .....hich elected during his 462
15 or her term of office; (3) is a registered and qualified
16 elector of Richmond County; and (4) meets the 463
17 qualification standards required for members of the 464
18 GeorgJ.a Ciouse of Representatives as are now or may in the 465
19 future be prescribed by the Georgia Constitution. No
20 person who has served two consecutive full four-year terms 466
21 of office as commissioner-councilperson shall again be 467
22 eligible to hold office as commissioner-council person 468
23 until after the expiration of four years from the
24 conclusion of that person's last term of office as 469
25 commlssioner-councilperson.
(d) No person shall be eligible to serve as
chairperson-mayor unless he or she ( 1 ) has been a resident
of the county for a period of one year immediately prior
to the date of the election; (2 ) continues to reside
40 (e) The chairperson-mayor shall be paid an annual salarf 483
4L of $65,000.00, the 'rice chairperson-mayor pro tempore 484
42 shall be paid an annual salary of $20,000.00, and each of 485
43 the other commission-council members shall be paid an
44 annual salary of 512;000.00. Future changes in the salary 488
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LC 9 8406S
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and expenses of such persons shall be effected in
accordance with the provisions of Code Section 36-35-4 of
the O.C.G.A.
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SECTION 3.
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(al Those' members of the board of commissioners of RiChmond
County, the mayor and those members of the city council of
the City of Augusta, and the members of the board of
commissioners of the City of Hephzibah if such city is
consolidated with Richmond County as authorized by this Act,
who are serving as such on the date the implementation of
this. Act is permissible under the federal Voting Rights Act
of 1965, as amended, shall continue to serve as such members
and officials until December 31, 1995. On and after the date
all requirements for the implementation of this Act have
been met and the implementation of this Act is permissible
under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, no
further elections shall be conducted to elect members of the
board of commissioners of Richmond County and the mayor and
members of the city council of the City of Augusta, and the
board of commissioners of the City of Hephzibah if such city
is consolidated with Richmond County as authorized by this
Act, and all elections for the' members of the
commission-council shall be conducted pursuant to this Act.
Such members of the board of commissioners of Richmond
County and the mayor and members of the city council of the
City of Augusta, and the board of commissioners of the City
of Heph::ibah if such city is consolidated with Richmond
County as authorized by this Act, shall continue to receive
the compensation to which they were entitled pursuant to
local law or Code Section 36-35-4 of the O.C.G.A. until
December 31, 1995.
(b) (1) .One initial member of the commission-council
shall be elected to represent each commission-council
district in a special nonpartisan election, without a
special primary, to be held on the Tuesday after the
first Monday in November, 1995. Members elected in such
special election shall take office on the first day of
January immediately following their election. The
member elected in each odd-numbered comm~ssion-council
district shall have an initial term of
years and until a successor is elected and
office of two
qualified and
eve n - numbered
-che
member
elect.ed
in
each
commission-council district shall have an initial term
of office of four years and until a successor is elected
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LC 9 8406S
and qualified. Candidates in such special election
shall not be listed on the ballot according to political
party affiliation; and such special election shall be
conducted ob a nonpartisan basis, without a special
primarI, and by plurality vote as provided in this
section. Thereafter, successors to members of the
commission-council shall be elected at a general
election to be held on the Tuesday following the first
Monday in November immediately preceding the expiration
of their respective terms of office, shall be nominated
and elected by plurality vote as provided in this
section, shall take office on the first day of Januarf
Uroffiediately following the date af their election, and
shall have terms of office of four years and until their
respective successors are elected and qualified. Each
member of the commission-council shall be elected by the
el"ectors residing within
commission-council district.
such
member's
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21 (c) The initial chairperson-:-mayor shall be elected Ul.- a 549
22 special nonpartisan election, without a special primary, 550
23 to be held' on the Tuesday after the first Monday in 551
24 November, 1995. Candidates in such special election shall 552
25 not be listed on the ballot according to political party 553
26 affiliation; and such special election shall be conducted 554
27 on a nonpartisan basis, '",ithout a special prima~f, and by
28 plurality 'Tote as provided in this section. The person 555
29 elected as chairperson-mayor at such special election 556
]0 shall take office on January 1, 1996, for an initial term 557
31 of office expiring on December 31, 1998, and until a 558
32 successor is elected and qualified. Thereafter, each 559
33 successor to the office of chairperson-mayor shall be 560
34 elected at a general election to be held on the Tuesday
35 following the first Monday in November immediately 561
]6 preceding the expiration of a term of office, shall be 562
37 nominated and elected by plurality vote as provided in 563
]8 this section, shall take office on the' first day of 564
39 January immediately following the date of the election, 565
40 and 'shall have a term of office of four years and until a 566
41 successor is elected and qualified. The chairperson-mayor
42 shall be elected on a county-wide basis by the elecc:ars of 567
4] "the entire county. 56B
(2) The vice chairperson-mayor pro tempore shall be a
member of the commission-council.
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LC 9,84065
(d)(l) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all
primaries and elections for the chairperson-mayor and
members of the commission-council shall be in accordance
with the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 21 of the
O.C.G.A. , known as the "Georgia Municipal Election
Code, " as now or hereafter amended. All primaries and
elections for such offices shall be conducted on a
nonpartisan basis and candidates in any such primary or
election shall not be listed on the ballot according to
party affiliation. Any person who is a registered voter
of Richmond County shall be eligible to vote in any
election under this section.
(2) As used in this paragraph, the term "plurality"
means the receipt by one candidate alone of the highest
number of votes cast in a primary or election among the
candidates for the same office provided that such
candidate receives at least 45 percent of the total
number of votes cast in such primary or election for
such office. If two or more candidates tie in receiving
the highest number of votes or no candidate receives
more than 45 percent of the total number of votes cast
far the office sought, there is no plurality. If no
candidate receives a plurality of the votes cast in any
such primary or election, there shall be a run-off
primary or a run-off election which shall be called and
conducted in the manner provided in Code Section
21-3-407 of the O.C.G.A.
SECTION 4.
(a) (1) The chairperson-mayor shall be the chief
executive officer of Richmond County and the City of
Augusta. The chairperson-mayor shall possess and
exercise the following executive and administrative
powers and duties:
(A) To
preside
all .
at
meetings
of
the
commission-council;
(B) To serve as the official head of Richmond CGlunty
and the City of Augusta for the service of process and
for ceremonial pUrposes;
(Cl To administer oaths and to take affidavits;
(0) To sign all written contracts entered into by the
commission-council on behalf of Richmond County and
the City of Augusta and all other contracts and
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576
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581
582
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586
587
588
589
591
592
593
594
597
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601
602
604
606
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609
611
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LC9 84065
1
2
instruments executed by the county and city which by
law are required to' be in writing;
3
4
5
(1::) To ensure tha t all laws, ordinances, and
resolutions of Richmond County and the City of Augusta
are faitfrfully executed; and
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8
(F) To exercise such other powers and perform such
other duties as may be required by ordinance or
resolution of the commission-council.
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(2) The chairperson-mayor shall not be empowered to veto
ordinances, resolutions, or ather actions of the
commission-council~
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(b) The members of the commission-council shall elect a vice
chairperson-mayor pro tempore at their first regular meeting
in J anua~l , 1996 , and at such mee ting in eac h year
thereafter. The vice chairperson-mayor pro tempore shall
preside at commission-council meetings in the absence of the
chairperson-mayor and perform such other duties as may be
entrusted to the of,fice of the vice chairperson-mayor pro
tempore by action of the commission-council. The vice
chairp~rson-mayor pro tempore shall continue to be a full
voting member of the commission-council when serving in the
capacity of vice chairperson-mayor pro tempore. No person
who has served two consecutive full one-year terms of office
as vice chairperson-mayor pro tempore shall again be
eligible to hold office as vice chairperson-mayor pro
tempore until after the expiration of one year from the
conclusion of that person's last term of office as vice
chairperson-mayor pro tempore,
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(C) At its first regular meeting in January of each
even-numbered year, the commission-council shall organize
itself. The chairperson-mayor and the vice
chairperson-mayor pro tempore shall recommend to the
commission-council the appointment of such committees as
they deem appropriate and the proposed membership thereof,
If the ,chairperson-mayor and the vice chairperson-mayor pro
tempore disagree on proposed appointments, the
commission-council shall determine such appointments. All
committees and the membership thereof shall be created,
abolished, and appointed as directed by the
commission-council. The chairperson-mayor shall not have
the right co voce on the appointment of any member to a
committee, The chairperson-mayor shall not be a 'foting
member
of
committee
established
by
any
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617
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620
622
623
625
627
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630
632
533
635
636
637
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641
643
644
646
647
648
649
650
652
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654
the
655
656
LC 9 84065
1
2
commission-council and appointed
chairperson-mayor pro tempore.
by
the
vice
3 SECTION 5. 659
4 (al A vacancy which occurs in the office of the 661
5 chairperson-mayor or in the membership of the 662
6 commission-council by death, reSignation; removal from the 663
7 commission-council district, or for any other reason shall 664
8 be filled by the remaining members of the commission-council 665
9 appointing a qualified person to serve for the unexpired 656
10 term, unless the unexpired term exceeds 28 calendar months, 66i
11 in which event, the commission-council shall appoint a
12 qualified person to serve until a successor is elected to 668
13 serve far the unexpired term,as provided in this subsection. 669
14 When the unexpired term exceeds 28 calendar months, a 670
15 special election shall be held in the county in the case of 671
16 the chairperson-mayor or in the commission-council district 672
17 in which the vacancy occurred on the same date as the next
18 succeeding general election to elect a successor for the 673
19 unexpired term. Any such special election shall be called, 674
20 held, and conducted in accordance with the applicable
21 provisions of Chapter 3 of ,Title 21 o~the' O.C.G.A., known 675
22 as the "Georgia MuniCipal Election Code." 676
23 (b) No person shall fill a vacancy for an unexpired term by 678
24 appointment of the commission-council unless that person 679
25 receives a majority of the votes of the full 680
26 commission-council.
27 (C) In the event the office of vice chairperson-mayor pro 683
28 tempore becomes vacant for any reason, the 684
29 commission~council by a majority vote of its full membership 685
30 shall elect from among its members a successor who shall 686
31 serve as such until the first meeting in January immediately 587
32 following the creation of such vacancy, at which time a 688
33 successor shall be elected.
34 SECTION 6. 691
35 Seven members of the commission-council shall constitute a 693
36 quorum for the transaction of ordinary business, and an 694
37 , affirmative vote of at least six members shall be required 695
38 for the commission-council co take action. Official action 696
39 of the commission-council shall be entered upon its minutes.
40 Any member of the commission-council shall have the right to 697
41 request a roll-call vote.
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LC 9 84065
1
SECTION 7.
(al The bonded indebtedness of the City of Augusta which is
oucstanding on January 1, 1996, shall become the debt and
obligation of ~ special tax district wh~ch shall correspond
to and be conterminous with the corporate limits of the City
of Augus ta as said corporate limits existed on December 31;,
1995. The ad valorem taxes imposed by the City of Augusta
prior to January 1, 1996, to ret~re such bonded indebtedness
shall continue to be imposed by the commission-council
within the special tax district in the same manner and c:o
the same extent that such ad valorem' taxes were ,pr~viously
imposed by the City of hugusta in accordance with the terms
of the obligaeions of such banded, indebtedness. The
commission-council, as the governing authority of the City
of Augusta, shall be ehe successor to the previously
existing governing authority of the City of Augusta for all
purposes relating to such bonded indebtedness, including the
enforcement of rights and remedies of bondholders.
19
21>
21
22
23
H
25
26
(b) The bonded indebtedness of Richmond County outstanding
on Janua~f 1, 1996, shall not be affected by this Act, and
the comm~ssion-council, as the govern~ng authority of
Richmond County, shall became the successor to the
previously existing governing authority of Richmond County
for all purposes relating to such bonded indebtedness,
including the enforcement of rights and remedies of
bondho lders .
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31
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34
35
36
37
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39
40
41
(c) The bonded indebtedness of the City of Hephzibah which
is outstanding on January 1, 1996, shall become the debt and
obligaeion of a special tax district which shall correspond
to and be conterminous with the corporate limits of the City
of Hephzibah as said corporate limits ex~sted on December
31, 1995. The ad valorem taxes imposed by the City of
Heph4ibah prior to Janua~l 1, 1996, to retire such bonded
indebtedness shall continue to be imposed by the
commission-council within the special tax district in the
same manner and to the same extent that such ad valorem
taxes were previously imposed by the City of Hephzibah in
accordance with the terms of the obligations of such bonded
indebtedn~ss. The commission-council, as the governing
authority of the City of Mephzibah, shall be the successor
to the previously existing governing authoric:y of the City
of Hephzibah Eor all purposes relating to such bonded
i.ndebtedness, including the enforcemenc: of rights and
remedies of bondholders, The provisions of this subsec~ion
d~
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712
713
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720
721
722
723
726
727
728
730
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732
733
734
735
737
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739
740
741
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LC 9 84065
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shall not become effective unless the Act providing for a
reorganized government in Richmond County and providing for
the repeal of the charter of the City of Hephzibah is
approved in a referendum by a majority of the voters voting
within the City o~ Hephzibah and this Act is approved in the
referendum provided for in Section 18 of this Act.,
7
SECTION 8.
(a)(l)(A) There is created an Urban S~rvices District
to be known as Urban Services District A which shall
correspond to and be conterminous with the corporate
limits of the City of Augusta. as said corporate limits
existed on December 31, 1995.
(E) Any public funds on deposit or invested in
certificates of deposit in the name of the City of
Augusta on December 31, 1995, shall accrue to Urban
Services District A and shall be utilized exclusively
for the benefit of citizens residing in Urban Services
District A.
(2)(A) If the repeal of the city charter of the City
of Hephzibah is approved in a referendum by a majority
of the voters voting within the City of Hephzibah and
this Act is approved in the referendum'provided for in
Section 18 of this Act, there is created an Urban
Services District to be known as Urban Services
District H which shall correspond to and be
conterminous with the corporate limits of the City of
Hephzibah as said corporate limits existed on December
31, 1995.
(E) Any public funds on deposit or invested in
certificates 'of deposit in the name of the City of
He,phzibah on December J 1, 1995, shall accrue to Urban
Services District H and shall be utilized exclusively
for the benefit of citizens residing in Urban Services
District H.
(b) (1) There is created
which shall 'correspond to
area of Richmond County
corporate limits of the
a
Suburban Services District
and be conterminous
which was not
with
within
the
the
City of Augusta as said
December 31, 1995, and, if
is repealed as provided in
which was not within the
Corporate limits existed on
the charter of Hephzibah
Section 18 of this Act,
corporate limits of the City of Hephzibah as said
corporate limits existed on December 31, 1995.
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745
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749
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753
754
756
757
758
759
760
762
763
764
765
767
768
770
iil
772
773
775
776
777
778
779,
780
781
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22
23
24
25
26
27
28
LC 9 840GS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
(2) Any public funds on deposit or invested in
certificates of deposit in the name of Richmond County
on December 31, 1995, shall accrue to the Suburban
Services D~strict and shall be utilized exclusively for
the benefit of citizens residing in the Suburban
Services District and the Urban Services District or
Districts.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
(C) The Water and Sewage Sinking Fund, the Airport Sinking
Fund, and the AlrportSinking Fund No. 2 shall accrue to the
benefit of the citizens 'residing in the Urban Se~rices
District or Districts and the- Suburban Services District.
These sinking funds are to be retired as provided in the
anticipated revenue certificates and are not considered
bonded indebtedness of the City of Augusta.
15
l6
17
18
19
(d) Urban Se~rices District A, Urban Services District H (if
created), and the Suburban Services District created by this
section shall continue in existence until the
commission-council modifies or abolishes such districts by
ordinance duly adopted by the commission-council.
20
SECTION 9.
(a) Existing ordinances and resolutions of the board of
commissioners of Richmond County and existing rules and
regulations of departments or agencies thereof not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall continue
to be effective as ordinances and resolutions of the
commission-council and, as ruies and regulations of the
appropriate department or agency thereof until they are
modified or repealed.
29 '
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
(b) Existing ordinances and resolutions of the board of
commissioners of Richmond County and existing rules and
regulations of departments and agencies of Richmond County
which, by their terms or by their operation, were applicable
prior to January 1, 1996, throughout the territorial limits
of Richmond County shall continue to be effective throughout
the territorial limits of Richmond County until such time as
the commission-council, by resolution or ordinance, modifies
or repeals such ordinances, resolutions, or regulations,
38
39
40
41
42
43
(C) Existing ordinances and resolutions of the boar.d of
commissioners of Richmond County and existing rules and
regulations of departments and agencies of Richmond County
which, by their terms or by their operation, were applicable
prior to January l, 1996, only within the unincorporated
area of Ricrumond County shall be effective only in the
783
784
785
786
787
789
790
791
792
793
794
796
i98
799
800
803
806
807
80B
809
810
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
821
822
823
824
825
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34
35
36
37
1
2
3
4
LC 9 8406S
this
Suburban Services District described in subsection (b) of
time as the
Section
8
of
Act
until
such
commission-council, by resolution or ordinance, modifies or
repeals such ordinances, resOlutions" rules, .orregulations.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
(d) Existing ordinances and resolutions of the city council
of Augusta which are not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act shall continue to be effective as ordinances and
resolutions of the commission-council until they are
modified or repealed. If the charter of the City of
Hephzibah is repealed as provided in Section 18 of this Act,
existing ordinances and resolutions o~ the board of
commissioners of the City of Hephzibah which are not
inconsistent with the provisions of th~s Act shall continue
to be effective as ordinances and resolutions of t.he
commission-council until they are modified or repealed.
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(e) Existing ordinances and resolutions of the city council
of Augusta and existing rules and regulations of departments
and agencies of the City of Augusta shall be applicable only
within the Urban Services District A described in Section 8
of this Act until such time as the commission-council, by
resolution or ordinance, modifies or repeals such
ordinances, resolutions, rules, or regulations. If the
charter of the City of Hephzibah is repealed as provided in
Section 18 of this Act, existing ordinances and resolutions
of the board of commissioners of the City of Hephzibah and
existing rules and regulations of departments and agencies
of the Cit.y of Hephzibah shall be applicable only within the
Urban Services District H described in Section 8 of this Act
until such time as the commission-council, by resolution or
ordinance, modifies or repeals such ordinances, resolutions,
rules, or regulations.
32
SECTION 10.
(a) The budget and tax levy of the board of commissioners of
Richmond County 'and the governing authority of any
municipality consolidated with such county, adopted for the
1996 calendar year, shall serve as the budget and tax levy
of the commission-council for that calendar year.
38
39
40
41
42
(b) The tax assessments made by the board of tax assessors
of Richmond County and any municipalities consolidated with
such county as of January 1, 1996, shall constitute the
basis for the assessment and collection ,of taxes of the
commission-council for 1996,
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832
833
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835
836
837
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841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
855
857
858
859
860
862
863
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866
LC 9 8406S
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2
J
4
(c) Amendments to the budget for the 1996 calendar year 868
provided by subsection (a) of this section may be made by 869
resolution or ordinance duly adopted by the 870
commission-council during 1996.
5
6
7
8
(
(d) Any speciaL services district existing in Richmond 872
County or any municipality consolidated with such county 873
prior to January 1,' 1996, shall continue to el{ist until it 875
is modified or abolished by the commission-council.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
(e) In ,assessing ad valorem taxes, the commission-council 817
shall' assess within any Urban Services District such 878
additional millage a~ the governing body shall determine, 879
and which' shall be imposed on account of governmental
se~rices available therein that are not furnished in the 880
Suburban Se~rices District. As the commission-council shall 881
from time to time expand these governmental services to 882
areas within the Suburban Services District, such areas 883
shall be included in such Urban Se~Tices District and tal{ed
accordingly.
19 (f) for purposes of this section, governmental
20 shall include fire protection of a higher class,
,21 pickup, governmental water and sewer services,
22 other services as may be provided only in an Urban
23 District.
services 885
garbage 886
and such- 887
Services
888
24 (g)(l) The commission-council may further divide the 890
25 Suburban Services District into special se~rice 891
26 districts wherever additional governmental service or 892
21 services are furnished but not to the el{tent as in an
28 Urban Services District. Property within said specidl 893
29 service districts shall be assessed with such additional 89~
30 ad valorem taxes as the commission-council may determine 895
31 on account of said se~ric~s.
32 (2) Property owners within an Urban Se~rices District 897
33 and the Suburban Services District shall not be 898
34 obligated to pay any user fees for se~,ices they do not 899
35 receive.
36 (h) It is the purpose of this section that property shall be 901
37 subject to taxation in relation to services received. 902
38 (i) Without limiting any of the foregoing provisions of this 904
39 section, on and after Januar/ ~, 1996, the residential, 906
40 commercial, and industrial raCes' charged for water and 907
41 sewerage serrices shall be the same within an Urban Services
42 District as ~ithin the Suburban Services District. 908
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LC 9 84065
1
SECTION 11.
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
The commission-council shall create special services tax
districts and shall assess, levy, and collect ad valorem
taxes and collect ,service charges and fees for the provision-
of district services within a special services district only
in accordance with the kind, character, type, and degree of
district services provided by the commission-council within
such special services tax district. The provisions of this
section shall control ad valorem taxation and the collection
of 'service charges and fees for the provision of district
services within special services tax districts by the
commission-council. District services shall mean and
include all of those governmental services enumerated in
Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III of the Constitution.
15
SECTION 12.
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17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(al All employees and former'employees of Richmond County
and the City of Augusta and, if the charter of the City of
Hephzibah is repealed as provided in Section 18 of this Act,
the City of Hephzibah and of every agency, instrumentality,
commission, or authority thereof shall retain those pension
rights which had accrued to them prior to January 1, 1996,
under any pension plan ,adopted by law or by ordinance or
resolution by the board of commissioners of Richmond County
or the mayor and council of Augusta or the board of
commissioners of the City of Hephzibah. The
commission-council shall assume an January 1, 1996, all
obligations arising under all such pens ion plans, but the
assumption of such obligations by the commission-council
shall not create any obligation on the part of the
commission-councilor create any right which did not exist
prior to January I, 1996.
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
(b) This
Act
shall not result in and shall not be
implemented to result in the termination of employment of
any employees of Richmond County or the City of Augusta or
the City of Hephzibah or of any agency, instrumentality,
commission, or authority thereof, but this limitation shall
not create or be construed to create any right to continued
employment or create any employment contract which did not
exist prior to January 1, 1996.
40
SECTION 13.
41
42
4J
(a) The sheriff of Richmond County shall perform his or her
constitutional and statutory duties throughout the entire
limits of Richmond County, The sheriff of Richmond County
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937
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940
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944
945
946
947
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949
952
955
956
957
LC 9 84065
1 shall be the chief law enforcement officer of Richmond
2 County.
3 (b) The commiss.ion-council in cooperation with t.he s,heriff 959
4 shall utilize the facilities, equipment, vehicles, records, 960
5 and personnel of the former Augusta Police Department, the 961
6 former Hephzibah Police Department if the city charter is 962
7 repealed as provided in Section 18 of this Act, and the
8 Richmond County Sheriff's Department. in such manner as it 964
9 shall deem necessary to ensure adequate protection of the 965
10 lives and property 'of all of the citizens of Richmond
,11 County.
12 (C) The chief of the former Augusta Fire Department shall 967
13 perform his or her official duties as the chief firefighter 968
14 throughout the ent.ire limits of Richmond County. 969
15 (d) The commission-council in cooperation with the chief 971
16 shall utilize the facilities, equipment, vehicles, records, 972
...17 and personnel of both the ,former Augusta Fire Department, 973
.18 the former Hephzibah Fire Department if the city charter is 974
.19 repealed as provided in Section 18 of this Act, and the
.20 Richmond c.ounty Fire Department. in such manner as it shall 976
.21 deem necessary to ensure the most advantageous rating 977
22 classification. of the commercial, residential, and public 978
23 property in Richmond County.
24 (e) The commission-council shall create a law department., to 981
25 employ one or more full-time attorneys, to employ such 9B3
26 clerical assistance as deemed necessary and appropriate, and
27 to supply an office, office equipment, a law libra~l, and 984
28 such other equipment and supplies as may be necessary. 986
29 Neither the chairperson-mayor nor any member of the 987
30 commission~council shall seek or receive legal advice or 988
31 services from any member of the law department or any other 989
32 attorney retained or employed by the commission-council on
33 any personal legal matter not related to the duties of his 990
34 or her office.
35 (E) Except as provided by this Act or prohibited by the 992
36 general laws of this stater the membersh~p of all boards, 99]
37 commissions, committees, panels, authorities, or other 994
]8 entities appointed by the board of commissioners of Richmond 995
39 County or the governing authority of the City of Augusta, or
40 if the charter of the City of Hephzibah is ~epealed as 996
-ll provided in Section 18 of this Act, the City of Hephzibah, 997
42 shall be increased by creating t~o ~ew members for each who 998
4] shall be recommended by the Richmond Coun,ty d~le.gation in
LC 9 84065
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the General Assembly of Georgia and appointed by the
commission-council established by this Act in accordance
with the existing laws or ordinances for the appointment of
members to such entities. Each such member shall serve out
the term of office to which such member was appointed. As
soon as practical, but in no event less than 90 days after
the initial members of the commission-council take office,
the commission-council shall identify those boards, panels,
authorities, or other entities the membership of which is
not comprised of persons who reside in each
commission-council district and shall propose a plan far
each such board, commission, or entity to expand or contract
the number of members thereof so that as soon as practical,
each such entity shall consist of one member from each
commission-council district. Each appointee shall be
designated by the commission-council as a member
representing a designated district. Except as provided by
this Act or prohibited by the general laws of this state,
the positions of director or administrative head, by
whatever name known, of each department or entity of the
governments of Richmond County and the City of ~ugusta and,
if the charter of the City of Hephz.ibah is repealed as
provided in Section 18 of this Act, the City of Hephzibah
shall be abolished 90 days after the members of the
commission-council take office under this Act. Such
departments may be reestablished, reorganized, or
conSOlidated; new job descriptions shall be established as
appropriate; and a director or administrative head shall be
appointed for each department by the commission-council.
Any person who formerly occupied such position and any other
person shall have the right to apply for any position thus
created. The provisions of this subsection shall not result
in the automatic termination from employment with the
reorganized government of any such person and the provisions
of Section 12 of this Act shall be applicable to any such
person. On or after January 1, 1996, no person shall be
eligible for ,appointment to any position, as the director or
administrative head of any department or agency of the
reorganized government unless such person meets such
qualifications as may be established by the
commission-council,
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(g) The Municipal Court of the City of Augusta shall act as
the Municipal Court of Augusta-Richmond County and shall
have jurisdic~ion throughout Richmond County until such
COurt is abolished by an Act of the General Assembly.
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Le9 8406S
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(h) No elected official of such government nor any member of
the General Assembly of Georgia whose district lies totally
or partially within Richmond County shall be eligible to do
business with or receive any contract from such government
e~cept through competitive bids. Said persons shall not
receive person~l services from county vendors, attorneys, or
others.
8
SECTION 14.
(a) The government of Augusta-Richmond County shall
encourage the meaningful involvement in its operations of
all citizens of Augusta-Richmond County, particularly t.hose
who are members of minority or other traditionally
disadvantaged groups, as appointees, employees, and
independent contractors. The commission-council shall
afford equal opportunities for employment and promotion to
all persons regardless of race, sex, religion, gender,
creed, color, or national origin.
(b) It is the policy of the Augusta-Richmond County
government to ensure the equitable participation of all
minorities, including African Americans, women, and small
businesses in providing goods and services to the
city-county government. The goal of this section is to
increase the use of such minorities and small businesses to
a level comparable with their availability. This
participation goal shall be used as a guideline to the
commission-council and shall not be construed as a ceiling
or quota.
(C) In furtherance of the policies stated in subsections (a)
and (b) of this section, the commission-council shall employ
a person to se~le as equal employment opportunity director
and as director of minority and small bus iness
opportunities. The director shall develop and, subject to
the approval of the commission-council, implement such
policies, procedures, and guidelines as the director deems
necessary or appropriate to ensure equal employment
opportunities for all citizens. The director, subject c:o
the approval of the commission-council, shall propose and
implement such policies, procedures, and guidelines as are
necessary and appropriate to ensure equal opportunities for
all businesses and citizens in contracting with the
commission-council and all departments, agencies,
authorities, and other entities of local government and to
encourage the development oE minocitl and small businesses
'",ithin Richmond Councy, In addition, said director shall
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LC 9 84065
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have such other powers and duties as may from time to time
be afforded by action of the commission-council.
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10 The commission-council shall have the authority upon the 1093
11 affirmative votes of two-thirds of those elected to the
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(d) The commission-council shall establish a citizens
advisory council far minority employment and small business
opportunities to advise the commission-council and director
of matters pertaining to this section, and to meet with
minorities and small businesses to review the problems of
minority and small business opportunities.
9
SECTION 15.
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commission-council, excl~ding the chairperson-mayor, to
change the provisions of this Act which conflict wi.th
existing or futQre state or federal laws; provided, however,
that no provisions shall be made which diminish or change
the principle of representation crf citizens by district on
the commission-councilor any other entity.
18
SECTION 16.
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Nothing contained . in this Act shall be construed so as to 1104
amend, modify, or repeal an Act incorporating the Town of
Blythe, Georgia, approved August 3, 1920 (Ga. L. 1920, p. 1105
74a) .
P ART II
SEC'I'ION 17.
(a) Effective July 1, 1995, there, is created a transition
task force for the purpose of planning and preparing for the
assumption of governmental powers by the commission-council
on JanuarY 1, 1996. The transition task force shall be
composed of members as follows:
(1) The board of commissioners of Richmond County shall
appoint four members. One of such'members shall be the
chairperson of the board of commissioners, who shall
serve as a member of the transition task force until
January 1, 1996. The commissioners appointed to the
task force shall be apportioned so that at least two of
the commissioners are representatives of existing county
commission districts three, six, seven, and eight and
two commissioners are representatives of existing county
commission districts one, two, four, and five;
(2) The city council of the City of Augusta shall
appoint four members. One of such members shall be the
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LC 9 84065
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mayor of the ,City of Augusta, who shall serve as che
chief executive officer of the transition task force.
The city council re~resentatives who are appointed shall
be apportioned so that at least two of such members are
representatives of former Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, and
13 and t.wo -0 f such members are representa ti ves 0 f former
Wards 5,6,7,8,10, and 11;
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(3) The members of the General Assembly of Georgia whose
districts include all or any portion of Richmond' County
shall appoint tour members; and
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(4) The board of commissioners of theCit.y of Hephzibah
shall appoint one member, provided that, if the voters
of the City of Hephzibah do not approve an Act enacted
by the General Assembly of Georgia at its regular
session in 1995 amending the charter of the City of
Hephzibah providing far a reorganized government in
Richmond County and providing for the repeal of said
charter, the membership of such member on the transition
task force shall be abolished on the date the results of
such referendum are certified.
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Any vacancy on t.he transition task force shall be filled by
the appoint.ing authority which originally appointed the
member to such vacant position. The transition task force
shall meet upon the call of the chief executive officer of
the transition task force for the purpose of planning and
scheduling the initial organization of the government in
accordance with the applicable provisions of this Act. Any
transition task force in existence on Januarf 1, 1996, is
abolished.
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{b) The transition task farce shall be authorized to make
such recommendations as it deems appropriate Ear the
assumption of governmental powers by the commission-council
on Januarf 1, 1996. The transition task force is
specifically charged with the responsibility of de'/eloping
proposed ordinances, including ordinances relating to the
creation 0 E special services tax districts, which should be
considered for adoption by the commission-council at its
first regular meecing hela following January 1, 1996, or at
a regular meeting of the commission-council held as soan
thereafter as practicable.
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(c) All officers, officials, including elected of fic ial s , 1165
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the Cl.ty of Hephzibah shall cooperate wic:h and assLst the L16i
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LC 9 8406S
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transition task force, The transition task force shall be
entitled to examine all records, files, and other data in
the possession of Richmond County, the City of Augusta, and
the City of Hephzibah and all officers, officials, and
employees and departments thereof. Richmond County, the
City of Augusta, and the City of Hephzibah shall, to the
extent possible, provide working areas and facilities for
the transition task force.
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(d) The transition task force shall be authorized to receive
and expend appropriations from the board of commissioners of
Richmond County and from the mayor and city council of
Augusta and from the board of commissioners of the City of
Hephzibah for ,the purpose of carrying out its duties, but
members of the transition' task force shall receive no
compensation for their services as such members.
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(el During the period beginning on the date on which this
Act is approved in the referendum provided for by Section IS
of this Act or on the date an Act enacted by the General
Assembly of Georgia at its regular session in 1995 amending
the charter of the City of Augusta providing for a
reorganized government in Richmond County and providing for
the repeal of said charter is approved in a referendum by a
majority of the voters voting within the City of Augusta,
whichever is later, it shall be the duty of the transition
task force to recommend and the duty of the board of
commissioners of Richmond County and the mayor and city
council of Augusta to implement, where possible, such
consolidations or reorganizations of services, functions,
powers, and duties as may be advantageous to the
consolidation of such governments on January 1, 1996.
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(f) If an Act enacted by the General Assembly of Georgia at
its regular session in 1995 amending the charter of the City
of Augusta and prOviding for a reorganized government in
Richmond County and prOviding for the repeal of said charter
is approved in a re!erendum by a majority of the voters
voting within the City of Augusta, then during the period
beginning on the date on which this Act is approved in the
referendum provided for by Section 18 of this Act or on the
date an Act enacted by the General Assembly of Georgia at
its regular session in 1995 amending the charter of the City
of Hephzibah and providing for a reorganized government in
RiChmond County and providing for the repeal of said charter
is approved in a referendum by a majority of t.he voters
voting within the City of Hephzibah, whichever is later, it
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LC 9 84065
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shall be the duty of the transition task force to recommend.
and the duty of the board of commissioners of Richmond
County, the board of commissioners of the City of Hephzibah,
and the mayor and city council of the City of Augusta to
implement, where possible, such consolidations or
reorganizations of services, functions; powers, and duties
as may be, advantageous to the consolidation of such
governments an January 1, 1996.
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and purpose of the 1238
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40 ~11 persons desiring to 'rote Ear approval of Part r of the 1255
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42 rejecc:ion of Part. I the ~ct shall 'Tote "No." If more than L25a
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(g) Every effort shall be made to consolidate
sewerage services as soon as practical and to
every citizen within the county is treated
equitably in the pricing of such services and is
same rate for the same se~jice.
water and
ensure tha t
fair 1 y and
charged the
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(h) The transition task force shall be abolished on the dat.
specified by the commission-council,
L6
PART r II
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SECTION 18.
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Unless prohibited by the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965,
as amended, the election superintendent of Richmond Counc:y
shall call and conduct an election as grovided in this
section for the purpose of submitting Part I of this Act to
the electors of Richmond County tar approval or rejection.
The election superintendent shall conduct that election on
the earliest date therefor permissible under Code Section
21-2-540 of the O.C.G.A. and shall issue the call and
conduct that election as provided
superintendent shall cause the date
election to be published once a
immediately preceding the date thereof
of Richmond County. The ballot shall have written or
printed thereon the words:
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YES Shall the Act be approved which creates a
board of commissioners designated as the
) NO Augusta-Richmond County Commission-Council
consisting of a. chairperson-mayor and ten
commissioners-councilpersons to administer,
govern, and operate a reorganized government.
in Richmond County with both county and
municipal j?owers?"
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LC 9 8406S
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one-half of the votes cast on such ques~ion are for approval
of PartIof the Act, it shall become of full force and
effect as provided in subsection (C) of Section 19 of this
Act. If Part I of the Act is not so approved or if the
election is not conducted as provided in this section, Part
I of this Act shall not become effective and this Act shall
be automatically repealed on the first day of January
immediately following that election date.
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,17 (b) Part II of this Act shall become effective on July 1, 1279
18 1995.
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The expense of such election shall be borne by Richmond
County. It shall be the election superintendent's duty to
certify the result thereof to the Secretary of State.
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SECTION 19.
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(a) Section 18 of this Act, this section, and Section 20 of
this Act shall become effective upon the approval of this
Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such
approval.
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(C) Part I of this Act shall become effec:=tive o'n May 1,
1995, for the purpose of conducting elections of the initial
members of the Augusta-Richmond County Commission-Council
and shall become effective on January 1, 1996, for all
purposes but only if an Act enacted by the General Assembly
of Georgia at its regular session in 1995 amending the
charter of the City of Augusta providing for a reorganized
government in Richmond County and providing for the repeal
of said charter is approved in a referendum by a majority of
the voters voting within the City of Augusta and this Act is
approved in the referendum provided for in Section 18 of
this Act, Those provisions of Part I of this Act which
relate to the City of Hephzibah or which create Urban
Services District H shall be repealed on January 1, 1996,
unless an Act enacted by the General Assembly of Georgia at
its regular session in 1995 amending the charter of the City
.of Hephzibah providing for a reorganized government in
Richmond County and providing for the repeal of said charter
is approved in a referendum by a majority of the voters
voting within the City of Hephzibah and Part I of this Act
becomes effective as provided in this subsection.
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SECTION 20.
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