Augusta voters head to the polls to decide on extending the one-cent sales tax. Turnout has been slow, but many of those coming out are voting in support of the $184 million package, at least at Julian Smith Casino. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

Advance voting is underway and the numbers are picking up, as ballots are cast in Augusta’s sales tax election. That shows the interest is growing, but also reflects that two additional voting sites are now open. It’s more convenient for voters, but is it worth the cost? WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

Last year, Augusta decided to give the Medical College of Georgia $10 million to buy Gilbert Manor, and tear down the buildings. The plan is to pay that money back using sales tax dollars, but those dollars depend on voters saying ‘yes’, later this month. It’s a gamble that may not pay off, and could end up costing property owners. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

The TEE Center is not a distraction for those pushing for passage of the next phase of the sales tax. The sales tax referendum is now two weeks away, and a citizens group is out making a pitch for the $184 Million package.

In an e-mail to WJBF News Channel 6, Augusta-Richmond County is proud to release that the Sales Tax Collections through April 2009 are up 6.02% for 2009. The month of April was the highest amount collected since Consolidation.

It’s seen as a way to for Augusta to get out from under the $4 million a year it costs to run the city bus system…an increase in the state sales tax for transportation. State lawmakers are getting closer to a bill, but when it comes to funding for public transit, Augusta could be left at the curb. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

Columbia County voters have approved $180 million in sales tax money for several projects. Parts of the projects will be paid for with $38 million in bonds. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Renita Crawford for the details.

Sales tax revenues are a good snapshot of the local economy, at a given time. Every time something is bought in Augusta, the city collects sales tax money. In December, city leaders were concerned when sales tax money dropped by 15 percent, but those numbers have turned around as we entered ‘09. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

Augusta Commissioners approve the final project list for the next phase of the SPLOST. The $184 million plan is heavy on infrastructure, but also includes money for Paine College, a new lake park at Regency Mall, and the Miller Theater. But, in tough times, will voters buy in? WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola looks for the answer.

Augusta Commissioners put off a vote on the final sales tax list in order for the City Administrator to take a little off the top. City leaders want to see a little more than $3 million cut from the $184 million plan. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the details.

It was an idea to get rid of a south Augusta eye sore…use $8 million from the next phase of the sales tax to buy Regency Mall, and tear it down. But, a new plan for the area keeps the mall in place, but would take some of the mall property for a lake park. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story. After viewing the sotry, let us know what you think in our web poll.

They were discussing dollars, officials from Augusta, Hephzibah, and Blythe sat down to talk about a sharing arrangement for the next phase of SPLOST. Both Blythe and Hephzibah stand to take in big dollars to help out their local budgets. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the details.

The Georgia Senate has approved a transportation funding plan that would allow residents to boost their sales tax by one cent to pay for road, transit and light rail projects.

Backers of a 1-cent sales tax to fund transportation in Georgia say it could generate up to $1.2 billion in new money for roads and rail projects around the state.

Nearly empty, and in disrepair, Regency Mall could be in line for funding from the next phase of the sales tax. Support is growing, but will taxpayers be willing to spend the money on the mall without a plan for redevelopment? WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has more.