Macon-Bibb consolidation plan gets governor’s signature

Gov. Nathan Deal has cleared the way for the July 31 Macon-Bibb County consolidation referendum.

Deal signed House Bill 1171 on Wednesday, said state Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon.

Macon and Bibb County residents have talked about combining the two governments since at least 1923, but there hasn’t been a public vote on consolidation in decades.

The bill approved by all of Bibb County’s legislators would launch a new government in 2014, with the sheriff as the top law enforcement officer. The referendum would need to be approved by a majority of residents of the county as a whole, as well as a majority of Macon residents. The government would have nine commissioners and a mayor.

Payne City would be folded into the consolidated government. The small portion of Macon that’s in Jones County would be de-annexed.

Backers say a consolidated government could improve governmental efficiency and let the community speak with one voice. Critics say consolidation could increase the size of government, raise taxes for some people and dilute voting rights.

The bill also included a districting map. A Telegraph analysis shows that plan creates five majority-black, majority-Democrat districts; two majority-white, strongly-Republican districts; and two majority-white districts that lean Republican.

To contact writer Mike Stucka, call 744-4251.

This story was originally published April 25, 2012 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb consolidation plan gets governor’s signature ."