Political Notebook: Macon-Bibb budget presentation Tuesday
Macon-Bibb County commissioners will get their first peek Tuesday at a draft of the fiscal 2017 budget.
The budget will be presented to officials during a 1 p.m. work session at the Macon-Bibb County Government Center. The current budget is about $20 million lower --18 percent reduction -- since the consolidation of Macon and Bibb County in January 2014. A mandate for consolidation was that the budget is reduced by 20 percent over a five year period.
The budget will be voted on before the current fiscal year ends June 30.
Taste of Follies returns to Macon
A date has been set for the third annual Taste of Macon-Bibb Follies, according to a news release.
The event that benefits the Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students, or GCAPS, will be held May 13 at the Douglass Theatre. This year’s event, rescheduled from an original date of April 16, will feature performances by the Good News Bluegrass, Kawrisa Marshall, violinist Ashley Pointer, and Bill and Sue Davis, the release said.
The Follies begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., and performances start at 7 p.m. Last year, the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department took the stage and County Commissioner Bert Bivins made an appearance as Ike Turner.
Tickets can be purchased from commissioners or at the mayor’s office in the Macon-Bibb County Government Center, 700 Poplar St.
Houston County will check up on ‘hardship’ mobile home exceptions
People in Houston County who have received a special “hardship” exception for a mobile home might be getting a visit from a zoning official.
The exceptions allow people to add a mobile home to their property in areas where the zoning wouldn’t currently allow it. The exception is intended for people to help loved ones who need care. It requires that the mobile home be removed when the need is no longer there.
On Tuesday, the board reluctantly approved an exception to allow a mobile home for a person who was getting knee replacement. Commissioners questioned whether that required the long-term care for which the exceptions are intended. Board members suggested following up after a year to be sure it is still needed.
Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker instructed Tim Andrews, the planning and zoning administrator, to follow up on all mobile home exceptions the board has approved to ensure the need is still valid. If not, the home has to be removed.
Houston approves rules related to rural venues
A growing trend is to have weddings in rural locations such as barns, said Houston County Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker.
There are several locations in the county where weddings and other large events are being held. As a result, the board approved an amendment to the Comprehensive Land Development Regulation.
It puts some regulations on such venue locations, including having a minimum of 5 acres, adequate shelter in the event of bad weather and adequate restroom facilities. The hours must be limited to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Telegraph writers Stanley Dunlap and Wayne Crenshaw contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Political Notebook: Macon-Bibb budget presentation Tuesday."