Augusta Commissioner Jerry Brigham has had enough of the city not moving forward with approving an agreement on running the new Reynolds Street parking deck.
“The taxpayers voted to build the TEE Center and parking deck. It's being built, it needs to be operational as soon as it can, so we can make money off of that,” said Brigham.
A Commission committee, on Monday, failed to move forward on a new agreement to run the TEE Center decks because of questions concerning a lien placed on the land where the deck sits, and the city does not own.
Commissioner Bill Lockett is saying city leaders should not be taking any action now, and he doesn't want to vote on anything TEE Center or parking deck related until the forensic audit he called for is completed.
“I indicated, some time ago, there were problems with this parking deck deal. I was vilified by many of my colleagues and others, but by this, I've been pretty much vindicated,” said Lockett.
Lockett's motion to put off a vote on the deck until the audit is over did not pass Monday, and some Commissioners say the audit is not needed.
“There's nothing criminal that I've seen a forensic audit would be admissible in court. To me, this is just a stall tactic to hold up progress,” says Commissioner Joe Jackson.
But, Commissioners approved the audit in December; Grady Smith was one of six votes in favor, but now he appears to be having second thoughts.
“I don't want to see us spend a lot of money...taxpayer money...on a witch hunt. Let's just figure out what the problems are and get them straight,” said Smith.
And, though Commissioners approved the audit, Commissioner Brigham feels there would need to be another vote before any forensic audit is conducted
“The Commission would have to sign a contract with a forensic audit company. I don't know whether or not that would pass,” said Brigham, who said he would not vote in favor of the audit.
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the parking agreements next Tuesday. As for Jerry Brigham's position, tthere will need to be another vote on a forensic audit that is not in the minutes from the December meeting.
According to the minutes, the motion was, “proceed with the forensic audit focusing on the TEE Center and land acquisition.
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