A month after approving a $221.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2027, the Macon-Bibb County Commission allocated more than $34 million for contracts and agreements and goods and services during Tuesday’s only meetings scheduled this month.
The bulk of that money covers construction management costs of over $28.2 million for the $350 million new Macon Arena that is set to break ground later this month as the Urban Development Authority is finalizing bond financing for the project.
Commissioners also approved $99,700 from the 2018 SPLOST for Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates’ architectural engineering and design firm to add bathroom wings to the lobby of the City Auditorium.
As the Georgia Department of Transportation installs a new walkway to an existing bridge that will serve as a pedestrian crossing over the Ocmulgee River, the county agreed to spend $52,795 for Cranston Engineering Group to inspect that bridge, which was built as a temporary route to the Spring Street exit during construction of the Interstate interchange.
For additional road resurfacing, Professional Paving Services latest contract of over $3.2 million will be covered through FY’27 Local Road Assistance grant funds from the State of Georgia, Local Maintenance & Improvement funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation and remaining 2018 SPLOST funds in the roads category.
District 8 Commissioner Donice Bryant Cato questioned why she is not seeing work in her area, but Mayor Lester Miller said all sectors of Bibb County have been touched and the paving companies are setting their own schedules and paving in clusters to save money and be able to cover more roads.
The paving process is treating the worst roads first after an extensive analysis of all the county roads gave each a score that enables companies to first tackle the worst heavily-traveled corridors.
More than $1.5 million pays expenses for the Internet Technology department as its new Chief Information Officer Tekquell Watson will fill about a dozen open positions through a staffing service contract of over $1.1 million. Other I.T. software, training and computer network expenses total more than $380,000.
The county also amended the code to include software as a commodity for purchase.
Communications services for public safety radio equipment and drone site inspections will amount to more than $424,000 for Williams Communications, which Chief Assistant County Attorney Michael McNeill said is the only state-authorized provider of that type of equipment in this region.
Solid waste expenses were approved for tipping fees to Liberty Disposal, which is the new owner of the Mead Road transfer station and the county’s sole contractor, total $393,000 and commissioners funded solid waste billing of $130,000. Commissioners also agreed to $117,000 for Bryant Engineering to explore sidewalks on Heath Road.
Miller said that Westside High School and Weaver Middle School were not constructed with walkers in mind so the road presents multiple challenges with its ditches and difficult terrain.
The county also agreed to $11,450 for new basketball goals at the Kings Park with money from the 2018 SPLOST recreation fund, up to $52,000 for counseling services for the probation office, and $54,000 to Vera Causa Group for the District Attorney’s public information and strategic advising services with funds from the D.A.’s budget.
Grants, plans and Bragg Jam
Macon-Bibb accepted FY’27 State of Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council grants of nearly $300,000 for Adult Felony Drug Court and Mental Health Court programs, almost $170,000 for Family Treatment Court and over $365,000 for Juvenile Court.
The county approved alcohol licenses for Fuel Haven at 3004 Debra Allen Drive and Dollar General at 1370 Gray Highway.
Commissioners also changed the code to limit alcohol license applications for businesses that have been denied twice before during the previous three years and allows the city to retain the application fee to cover attorney costs.
Bragg Jammers can walk with open containers and consume alcohol on designated streets during Saturday’s music festival under a resolution passed Tuesday evening, and Macon-Bibb endorsed the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Corridor Strategic Plan and adopted it into the county’s Comprehensive Plan.
Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Planning Director Gregory L. Brown informed commissioners about ongoing work on updating the Comprehensive Plan that will entail upcoming land use meetings in each district. The State of Georgia requires communities to have long-range plans to be eligible for grant funding.
To learn more about how to be involved or host public input meetings, visit maconithappenplan.com.
The county also opted to apply for the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing’s 2027 Cohort to focus on affordable housing in south Macon and in neighborhoods along Houston Avenue.
Commissioners also approved three new board members for the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful: Willie Pitts, Margaret Rooyakkers and Shaneke Wooten.
Here are highlights from the meeting captured in social media posts:
— Peyton Anderson Civic Journalism Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at fabian_lj@mercer.edu or by calling 478-301-2976.