Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller said current economic conditions require the county to tighten its belt at the same time he is coordinating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development projects designed to grow future revenue.
During a taping of ‘Ask Mayor Miller’ in late May, Miller said he expects the Macon Arena designs to be released in the coming weeks after a $350 million bond resolution passed the County Commission and Urban Development Authority. (17:00 into video)
He anticipates designs coming within the next three months for the convention center and hotel at First and Walnut streets and Riverside Drive.
Miller also dispelled a rumor the Central City Commons project was dead for the block between Poplar and Plum and First and Second streets. (19:10)
Budget, ShotSpotter and Flock cameras
With approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget looming later this month, the mayor explained how years of COVID-era relief funding was no longer available to bolster spending.
In one example, three years of extended ShotSpotter funding of $524,000 annually is included in the public safety line item from speed camera revenue, which could also diminish with legislative chambers. (11:38)
Miller said he met with each county commissioner about the budget and specifically discussed ShotSpotter and funding for Flock cameras.
“Because it has made a substantial difference in solving cases, making our communities safer. Shots are going down, the number of shots fired has gone down, and we’ve been able to use that technology in court to get convictions and get people off the street, or have them plead guilty, because now we have the evidence against them. We had several who-done-it cases that would not have been solved, but for ShotSpotter and Flock cameras.”
During Tuesday’s budget hearing, Sheriff David Davis spoke in support of the cameras which he said is one of the greatest technological advancements in crime fighting, but nearly a dozen others argued against them citing invasion of privacy, potential for abuse of the system and tracking people for immigration violations.
I-16 overpass, trail patrols, Costco
During his budget presentation last month, Miller also said the county could save about $2 million dollars if people properly disposed of their garbage. (7:50)
The Macon Newsroom frequently hears from people submitting questions for the mayor about trash piling up where panhandlers congregate at the Interstate 16 underpass at Spring Street.
“I know it’s an eyesore. It’s one of those things that it’s a pet peeve of a lot of people when they drive through there” Miller said. “It just pisses them off every time they go through there, and me as
well, right? You don’t want to see that. But the good news is that we’re doing something creatively, architecturally in connection with GDOT, through our code enforcement, through doing the trails. We do have a light in the tunnel.”
Once the interchange construction is complete, Miller expects enhanced patrols of code enforcement on ATVs along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and will exercise any tools passed through the legislature to remove urban encampments and take action against blighted and nuisance properties.
They are proceeding through the legal process to seize properties whose owners have ignored county mandates to clean up blight and create affordable housing. (6:00)
County law enforcement also plan to crack down on crime havens at local motels. (15:44)
In the realm of overgrown cemeteries Miller said the county is limited in what it can do on private property and suggested volunteerism is the better way to handle those cleanups. (25:30)
At Lake Tobesofkee, Lovejoy Capital wants to move ahead in drafting a proposal for luxury campsites and other enhancements, but the mayor said the public will be involved in the process. (26:39)
There are no plans to build a major indoor aquatic center like Houston County’s because it is not economically feasible here, he said. (27:43)
In some cases, even positive economic news can raise concerns.
People have been clamoring for Costco, but now that plans are on the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning agenda some worry the construction site near Wesleyan Drive and New Forsyth and Bass roads is already too congested. (20:20)
Politics, tax cuts
Middle Georgia will benefit from future economic growth and new jobs through the new joint development authority involving Macon-Bibb, Houston and Peach counties to concentrate on major industry projects, he said. (29:00)
Miller said he was pleased with the outcome of the May 19 election, (21:30), and defended his support of candidates in local races. (23:27)
He cautioned that politicians’ promised tax cuts could be counterproductive and constrain communities like Macon-Bibb. (1:34)
The proposed local senior citizen tax exemption voters will decide on in November should not adversely affect the Bibb County School System, he said. (2:51)
The school district must make up a multi-million dollar shortfall which could close some neighborhood schools.
Send questions for the next Ask Mayor Miller to [email protected].
—Peyton Anderson 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.
