The Macon-Bibb County Commission approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, allocated more 2018 SPLOST funds and agreed to let the Georgia Secretary of State out of its lease before it expires.
Tuesday’s budget approval includes the nearly $220 million collected in taxes, fees, fines, rent, interest income and other sources that goes into the general fund to be spent beginning July 1, but also includes another $240 million from other funds that are earmarked for specific purposes.
For example, there’s nearly $74 million left from the 2018 SPLOST, more than $61million in grants, and a total of more than $130 million from various funds such as the hotel-motel tax and other entities that have spending restrictions.
The total of all the county’s funds comes to more than $460 million.
Macon-Bibb could be getting $100,000 from the State Properties Commission if the Secretary of State leaves its more than 83,000 square feet of office space at 237 Coliseum Drive before the lease expires in September of 2026.
Under the lease amendment, the state can give 30 days notice to vacate the property, which is on the site of the proposed East Bank development across from the Macon Coliseum.
Mayor Lester Miller informed The Macon Newsroom that the state agency plans to relocate its offices but stay in Macon.
As the county continues to spend money from the 2018 SPLOST collections, more than $744,000 will upgrade communication towers and more than $214,000 to improve emergency radio communications.
Commissioners also agreed to hire Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates under a $77,500 contract to oversee continuing improvements to the City Auditorium that include a new elevator.
SPLOST project manager Clay Murphey said the company’s expertise in engineering is needed to address an apparent spring under the auditorium and ensure the building’s footings are stable.
If about $6 million in future funding is available, there are plans to add restroom wings in the main lobby, a new loading dock and theatrical equipment, according to Murphey’s latest report to the SPLOST Advisory Committee.
The county also dipped into its airport fund to purchase more than $106,000 worth of furniture for Middle Georgia Regional Airport and hire a New York advertising firm for $30,000 to promote Contour Airlines’ new route from Macon to the Washington Dulles International Airport.
Macon-Bibb also extended for a year its building inspection services contract with SAFEbuilt Georgia, but plans to put the contract out for bid again next year to allow other companies to compete.
Commissioners also agreed to allocate another $20,000 in grant funds for Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia under the District Attorney’s RISE Initiative, or Restoring Inspiration by Success in Education that encourages youth to succeed.
They spent Emergency Solutions Grants to assist local agencies who offer housing assistance for the unhoused.
Family Advancement Ministries gets more than $42,000 and the Economic Opportunity Council will receive more than $25,000.
During public comments on agenda items, Bibb Democratic Party Chair Renoalda Scott said the funds are a “vital start” but questioned whether the agencies can provide long-term solutions.
Scott wants the county to examine how they’re spending grant funds as those people working service jobs cannot adhere to curfews at Brookdale Resource Center and other temporary housing facilities.
“We’re not just putting a band-aid on systemic wounds. We need a real change,” Scott said. “We need those SPLOST funds not for communications and the auditorium upgrades, but we ask respectfully that you prioritize investment in housing stabilization.”
Commissioners also agreed to strip the alcohol license from the Corner Grocery at 2057 Walnut St. for failing to offer enough fresh food to qualify under the county’s ordinance. Macon-Bibb does not permit alcohol licenses for so-called “vice marts” that don’t have fuel sales or adequate items to qualify as a food mart.
Here are highlights from the meeting captured in social media posts.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.
