Charleston County Aviation Authority board member
Joseph H. Jefferson III resigned last week following the agency’s award of a
$150 million construction contract for expansion of Charleston International
Airport to Austin Commercial LP of Dallas. Jefferson’s resignation letter to
Authority chairman Chip Limehouse says Jefferson’s engineering company Palmetto
Civil Group expects to be considered for subcontracting work on the airport
expansion from Austin Commercial’s local partner Hitt Contracting, Inc.
Jefferson says he resigned from the Authority
committee spearheading the expansion last December, when it became clear his
company might have a chance to work on the construction. He claims he distanced
himself from discussions about the project, and never participated in
deliberations about contractor selection. Jefferson recused himself, disclosing
his relationship with Austin/Hitt the day the contract was awarded, and he now
says he needs to step down because his business relationships could require
more recusals in the future.
