Commissioners Al Tillman will hold a joint public forum for residents of Districts 9 on Tuesday, October 10, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Ingleside United Methodist Church (3187 Ridge Avenue). He will be joined by District 1 Commissioner Gary Bechtel and Macon-Bibb’s SPLOST Project Manager, Clay Murphey. On the agenda for discussion that evening will be an update on Henry Burns Park improvements, the recent changes in garbage billing, and the potential for a future referendum on an Optional Local Option Sales Tax (OLOST).

“When we consolidated our governments, we promised to let people know what was going on and what we were doing, and to give them the chance to ask us questions,” says Commissioner Tillman. “These forums let us talk directly with people so they have an understanding of their government and we know how our work impacts them.”

Henry Burns Park is currently undergoing a significant improvement project with more than $700,000 in funds from the County’s Blight Remediation Program and more than $40,000 from the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The park will feature an inclusive playground where children of different abilities will be able to play side by side, more accessibility for everyone, better parking areas, new lighting, landscaping, attractive signage, and improved irrigation and stormwater drainage. To watch a MaconBibbTV feature on the project’s groundbreaking, click here.   Paying for solid waste services (curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection) is moving from quarterly to annual billing as a way to streamline collections and keep people from having to turn on and off service as they move, among other things. The first bill will be due in the Spring of 2018, with subsequent annual bills being due at the same time as property taxes.

Since Macon-Bibb County was created in January 2014, Commissioners have continued to hold public meetings and events to provide updates on the consolidated government, answer questions, hear concerns, and help solve any issues they may have in their neighborhoods. Forums like this helped develop the County’s Forward Together Strategic Plan, the 2018 SPLOST project list, and plans for recreation center improvements, and have engaged the community around topics like educational opportunities, employment training, parks, recreation programming, and more.