At the Macon-Bibb County Commission meeting on Tuesday, August 6, Reverend Creede Hinshaw delivered the invocation. He’s a retired United Methodist Pastor who served various congregations across south Georgia for 36 years, including four years at Wesley United Methodist Church, and 12 years at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church. He’s been a columnist and contributor to the Macon Telegraph for more than 20 years. As a retiree, he enjoys golf and racquetball, and spending time with his two grandsons who live nearby. Creede and his wife, Bonnie, have been married 45 years and have 3 sons and 3 grandchildren.

The Pledge of Allegiance was delivered by sisters Marissa and Shania Henderson. The 12-year-olds attend  7th Grade at Howard Middle School. They’ve both been active members of Girl Scouts for five years, both earning their Bronze Award. They’re also both members of Rhema International Ministries’ youth department, where they volunteer and help their community. Marissa’s favorite subjects are English and Language Arts. She also enjoys arts and has recently joined sixth grade beginner band where she plays the tuba. Shania enjoys visual and performing arts and has recently joined sixth grade beginner orchestra where she plays the cello.

Thank you to Rev. Hinshaw and these young ladies for attending the meeting and taking part in the civic process!

Prior to the regularly scheduled Commission Meeting, the Board held a Special Called Meeting to set the FY2020 Millage Rate. At that brief meeting, the Board set the Millage Rate at 20.331 which is a decrease of 0.321 from last year. You can watch that meeting here. And click here to visit the FY2020 Budget Website to view the full budget, tax digest, and other information regarding the millage rate and taxes.

Consent Agenda:

Commissioners approved alcohol licenses for 7 locations including for beer and wine at the AmStar movie theater. Click each item for more information:

• Citgo Food Mart at 1681 Rocky Creek Road
• Oliver’s Bistro at 496 Second Street
• Raymond Williams Chapter #50 at 4493 Houston Avenue
• BJP Gas and Food Mart LLC at 2760 Montpelier Avenue
• Amstar 16 at 5996 Zebulon Road
• Macon Beer Company, LLC at 458 Second Street
• Your Pie at 536 Poplar Street

Old Business Agenda items:

Commissioners voted to override Mayor Robert Reichert’s veto of the $1,000 pay adjustment. The Economic and Community Development Committee held an Employee Town Hall meeting to discuss this on August 5. You can watch that here. You can read the resolution approved at the Commission Meeting on the 6th, here. Click here to read more about this bonus.

The Board of Commissioners approved several appointments to local board and authorities. Click each one to learn about it.

• R. Kirby Godsey, Brian Patrick Adams, Walter Timley, Sheila M. Thurmond, James Patrick Goff to the Development Authority
• Dave Dickey, Ella M. Mumphrey, Gloria Lynn Farmer to the Macon-Bibb Transit Authority
• Sheldon Hart to the Macon-Bibb Sheriff Civil Service Board
• Loretta Thomas to the Macon-Bibb Urban Development Authority
• Bruce Gerwig to the Macon-Bibb Land Bank Authority

The Board also approved an evaluation to determine the feasibility of contracting the permits division of the Business Development Services Department to a private vendor.

Commissioners approved $200,000 from the IT Department budget to buy data protection software and migration services.

The Board approved using voter-approved SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funding for the purchase of the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Historic Pleasant Hill.

Commissioners accepted a $393,000 grant from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the Macon Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court.

The Board accepted plans for a new, private, and gated community to be named Villas at Rivoli.

Commissioners approved the transfer of 0.035 acres located at 1080 Second Street to the Urban Development Authority.

We live stream our meetings on Facebook and post them at MaconBibb.TV. People can also watch on Channel 14. The Board meets to vote on the first and third Tuesdays each month, and meets for Committee meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Hub, for updates on votes, projects, funding, classes, and other community events.