On Tuesday, May 9, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert presented the Proposed Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Budget to the public, the Commission, Judges, Constitutional Officers, and Department Heads. The next step in the process is for the Commission to hold meetings and hearings so they and the public can ask questions about the Budget. Below is the current schedule of those meetings.
“These meetings will help us, as Commissioners, go through the budget and ensure we are funding the services most needed in our community,” says Commissioner Gary Bechtel, Chairman of Operations and Finance Committee. “It will also give the public a chance to let us know what services they believe most need to be funded, as well as give us feedback on the millage increase.”
Called Operations and Finance Committee Meeting
Tuesday, May 16 * 4:00 p.m.
Government Center Large Conference Room
Solicit questions & feedback from Commissioners.
Operations and Finance Meeting
Tuesday, May 23 * 9:00 a.m.
Government Center Large Conference Room
Provide answers, address concerns, and solicit further questions & feedback.
Public Budget Hearing
Tuesday, June 6 * 4:00 p.m.
Government Center Commission Chambers
Solicit questions and feedback and hear support or concerns from the public.
Operations and Finance Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 13 * 9:00 a.m.
Government Center Large Conference Room
Potential vote by Committee on the Proposed FY18 Budget
Commission Meeting
Tuesday, June 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Government Center Commission Chambers
Tentative final approval of the FY18 Budget
The FY18 Proposed Budget – as well as the full video of the Mayor’s presentation, the PowerPoint, and the Mayor’s comments – can be found using the links below. It is also available for review during normal business hours in the Macon-Bibb County Clerk’s Office in Room 208 at Government Center (700 Poplar Street).
Full video of the presentation
PowerPoint Summary
Mayor’s Comments
Proposed FY18 Budget
During the presentation, the Mayor brought up how much has been accomplished as a consolidated government under the leadership of the Commission, the dedication of the departments to find new ways to operate, and the willingness to work together by the Sheriff, Judges, and Constitutional Officers.
“If we are going to build the kind of community we want, it’s going to take all of us working together,” said Mayor Reichert. “Consolidation has been the best thing for us, and we are poised to capture a significant part of the growth that is projects for our part of the country.”
The Mayor is proposing a $148 million general fund budget, which is an increase of $4 million from the current budget. The increased budget will allow for Macon-Bibb to provide additional compensation for public safety personnel, additional staff in the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office, additional staff in Recreation, and make the required contribution to the pension plans.
To do this will require a property tax increase of 3 mils, which translates to an increase of $99 for a $100,000 home. The last time taxes were increased was 2012 by the former Bibb County and 2005 by the former City of Macon. Since consolidation in 2014, the budget has been reduced by $20 million, meeting the 20% reduction mandate in the charter. Revenues have also been greatly reduced as the double taxation of the city was eliminated.
“Our current shortfall is not a result of excessive spending, it’s a matter of reduced revenue,” adds Mayor Reichert. “We have reduced revenues to an unhealthy level.”
Recognizing the burden this will place on taxpayers – while also understanding their desire to have a government that can provide essential services, improve public safety, and maintain the roads, parks, and facilities people use every day – the Mayor pointed out the possibility of a future referendum on an “Other Local Option Sales Tax,” or OLOST. It’s a penny tax that could be used for operations, and it’s approval would trigger a roll back in property taxes. Similar to a SPLOST, a majority of that penny tax would be paid by people who do not live in Macon-Bibb.