Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners Pre-Commission and Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026
Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners Pre-Commission and Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026
The Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners held a pre-commission meeting starting at approximately 4:30 p.m., followed by a public hearing on the proposed millage rate at 6:01 p.m., and then the regular board meeting at approximately 6:12 p.m. The pre-commission meeting approved numerous consent agenda items including alcohol licenses, professional service agreements, grants, and dedications. The public hearing on the millage rate featured a presentation from the mayor and one public comment. The regular meeting included a proclamation for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, public comments on agenda items, and final approvals.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the August 4, 2026 pre-commission meeting (motion by Commissioner Howell, second by Commissioner Wynn, unanimous).
- Alcohol license renewals and new licenses for five locations (GH Express, Shellmart, Marathon Prime, USA Grocery, Gold Bar) – all recommended by legal and unanimously approved for the consent agenda.
- Professional services agreement with Localique for $55,000 for digital marketing at Middle Georgia Regional Airport (airport fund).
- Agreement with Inspiring Healthy Lives, LLC for up to $37,688 for counseling services from family treatment court grant funds.
- Memorandum of Understanding with Miami Dade Innovation Authority Inc. for a catalyst challenge with a $50,000 local match from the general fund for right-of-way management improvements.
- Lease agreement with Sandra Curry for office space at 203 West White Road, Byron, GA for up to three years at $18,600 per year (from public defender’s budget).
- Independent contract with Play South LLC for $98,295.20 for a composite play structure at Glenmore States (funded by CDBG).
- Acceptance of BJA Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant of $170,541 for sheriff’s department technology, equipment, and training (no local match).
- Acceptance of Federal Highway Administration 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant of $5,630,440 with a local match of $1,407,610 from the 2018 SPLOST fund for a multi-use trail and sidewalk loop around Gray Highway.
- Acceptance of Georgia Tree Council relief grant of $13,050 (no local match) to plant oak trees at Freedom Park.
- Dedication of a portion of Cotton Avenue and Mulberry Street Lane in honor of Otis Redding (up to $500 from general fund for signage).
- Dedication of Emory Avenue in honor of Pastor H. Larry Eason (sponsored by Commissioner Bronson, item Q).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kaylee Pruitt (Bike Walk Macon, also serves on pedestrian safety review board, transit authority, and complete streets committees) expressed strong support for the SS4A grant, highlighting that the $5.6 million federal investment combined with the local match creates a $7 million project to improve safety on Gray Highway. She noted 27 pedestrian crashes in the last 10 years with 9 fatalities on that corridor, including one earlier in summer 2026. She thanked commissioners for the investment.
- Cam Otter spoke in favor of the SS4A grant (item M), the Georgia Tree Council grant (item N), and the Glenmore States playground (item K). He praised the city’s fiscal stewardship and the expansion of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail.
- One citizen spoke during the public hearing on the millage rate, expressing support for the county’s fiscally conservative approach and noting that federal inflation, not local government, is driving cost increases.
Discussion Items
- Millage Rate Public Hearing (6:01 p.m.): Mayor Miller presented a historical overview of millage rates, showing a reduction from 20.331 mills in 2021 to a proposed 9.575 mills for 2026 (no increase). He explained that the total property tax collection for Macon-Bibb County is $67 million, with only $16 million from homestead-exempt properties (0.7% of the total budget). The budget prioritizes public safety, which increased from $94 million in 2021 to $125 million in 2027. The final vote on the millage rate is set for September 9, 2026 at 9:05 a.m.
- Proclamation: Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Wynn presented a proclamation declaring September 2026 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to Barbara Higby, a cancer survivor who shared her personal story and urged awareness.
- Dedication for Pastor H. Larry Eason: Commissioner Bronson spoke on the dedication of Emory Avenue in honor of Pastor H. Larry Eason for his community service.
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items (A through Q, except O) were approved unanimously by voice vote.
- The minutes of the August 4, 2026 regular meeting were approved (motion by Commissioner Cook, second by Commissioner Bailey).
- The millage rate will be set at a special called meeting on September 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., with a vote at 9:05 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Making Bibb County Board of Commissions Pre-Commission meeting. Today is Tuesday, September the first, and the time is now approximately four thirty. I'd like to welcome everyone here today, and we'll start this meeting off with a call to order, followed by the approval of the amendments. Item two A is approval of the minutes from August to fourth, two thousand twenty-six pre-commission meeting. I get a motion to approve. Mr. Tom's has served that authority well. And they do recommend that he continue to uh serve them in that capacity. So at this time we didn't have a motion to approve. Motion by Commissioner Howell. Second by Commissioner Wynn. Mayor Protein. I hear you all, Mr. Bronson on there as well. So got a motion to second all those in favor of the motion, please say I. Opposed nay. That motion carries announced to be sent consent agenda. We're going to move on to items four, which we have several alcohol licenses A through E. Each one of those uh has a recommendation. So we'll begin with item four A. This is GH Express, located at 2900 Riverside Drive, uh Macon, Georgia. Legal does recommend approval of this particular uh Texico station there. They meet all the legal and statutory requirements to get one. And um at this time we did entertain a motion to approve. Uh I'd like to uh exposure first. Sure, go ahead. Uh by maybe we'll show up on the title search on that piece properly. I'm no longer involved with it. Okay. I'll make a motion we approve. All right, we make a motion to approve by Commissioner Howard. We have a second. Second, uh, what was that? Was I hear some over here? Okay. Commit Mayor Pierre Tim William got a motion and second. Any questions? You know, questions, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Opposed, nay. That motion carries will be sent to consent agenda. Item B is a Shellmart, shell food mart located at 4338, Hartley Bridge Road. Uh, you can see a photograph of that on your screen. Uh, same recommendation, legal recommends approval. They met our legal and statutory requirements to get a license, and they have submitted a good faith uh standing, good standing letter, meaning they paid all their taxes. So at this time we'd entertain a motion to approve. Motion by Commissioner Howell, we have a second. Second by Mayor Pro Tim Wynne. Have a motion and second. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.
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