Alcohol ban at Rosa Parks Square on tap for debate

A Macon-Bibb County commissioner’s proposal could spell the end of alcohol at a downtown park.

Commissioner Elaine Lucas is sponsoring an ordinance that would prohibit alcohol inside Rosa Parks Square. The measure comes on the heels of a recent a news conference at which Lucas joined a group of residents who opposed the Just Tap’d craft beer festival held at the park April 29.

Similar viewpoints were expressed during a July 2016 meeting about a redesign of the park. At the time, several residents and Macon-Bibb officials said they wanted the park to be a place of reflection and respect instead of commercialism.

Lucas’ ordinance is set for discussion Tuesday by members of the commission’s Facilities and Engineering Committee.

A special event permit is required for alcohol to be consumed or sold in a Macon-Bibb County public park.

Budget presentation

The Macon-Bibb County budget team spent Monday putting the finishing touches on the fiscal 2018 budget that will be presented to commissioners on Tuesday.

The details of the budget will be released during a 1 p.m. workshop at the County Commission chambers inside the Macon-Bibb County Government Center.

Macon-Bibb budget staff and department heads were tasked with streamlining a budget after some revenue issues in recent years.

About $8 million was taken from reserves for fiscal 2016 when sales tax proceeds, licensing and permits, and fines and forfeitures came in about $5.3 million lower than budgeted. That also coincided with a decline in property tax revenue for the year.

The fiscal 2018 budget presentation will be streamed live at www.maconbibb.tv.

This story was originally published May 8, 2017 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Alcohol ban at Rosa Parks Square on tap for debate."