A new committee that was supposed to help oversee Bibb County’s new $190 million special purpose local option sales tax is already causing some headaches.
In informal committee discussions Tuesday, county commissioners formed a SPLOST Advisory Committee that doesn’t have a true oversight role. Commissioners also appeared shocked at Macon’s picks for the seven-person panel: former Mayor C. Jack Ellis, former state Rep. David Lucas and road activist Lindsay “Doc” Holliday.
“I know you’re still stunned,” Commission Chairman Sam Hart said to commissioners.
“I’m praying,” replied Commissioner Joe Allen, as Commissioner Elmo Richardson held his head in his hands.
Commissioners appointed Dan Slagle, who led the pro-SPLOST Macon Bibb Wins effort, to be the chairman. The other county appointees are Monica Smith, who leads the Macon-Bibb Convention and Visitor Bureau, former Macon Councilman Theron Ussery and restaurant entrepreneur Bruce Freeman.
The SPLOST Advisory Committee could have its first meeting in late December or early January.
Hart told reporters that Macon and Bibb County legally couldn’t delegate much authority to the advisory committee. He and Macon Mayor Robert Reichert promised an oversight committee before the SPLOST referendum Nov. 8.
“We can’t give away those responsibilities,” Hart said.
But Hart said the advisory committee will review finances, timelines and other parts of the SPLOST, and regularly report findings to the public. Hart said one of the committee’s biggest powers is its ability to freely attack the governments’ credibility if it finds the governments aren’t upholding promises to taxpayers.
“They have a tremendous amount of power,” Hart said.
County Attorney Virgil Adams said the advisory committee could help investigate issues outside of finances, such as when a project manager and a community differ about where ballfields should be built.
To contact writer Mike Stucka, call 744-4251.
