Macon-Bibb takes on beer regulations, fees

Macon-Bibb County is expected to soon vote on measures to allow establishments to better showcase their craft beers.

The County Commission’s Operations and Finance Committee approved two resolutions Tuesday that would set local regulations and licensing fees for brewpubs — places that manufacture and sell beer on the premises. The full commission is expected to vote on the measures next month.

Across the nation, breweries and brewpubs have increased in popularity.

The proposed changes are in response to the state Legislature relaxing some of the regulations on breweries, food establishments that manufacture no more than 10,000 barrels of beer or malt beverage a year for retail sale, according to the resolution.

“The state has kind of relegated these issues to local (jurisdictions),” Mayor Robert Reichert said. “So if you get a license, you can drink beer on premise and get a growler to go.”

Macon-Bibb’s proposed manufacturing license fee of $1,000 is similar to other Georgia communities such as Brookhaven, which charges $1,250, County Attorney Judd Drake said.

“A brewpub license would be issued in conjunction with a regional beer or malt (liquor) license for consumption on premises,” he said.

In other business Tuesday:

▪  A developer is seeking to receive tax credits to build a housing development in Macon.

The commission’s Economic and Community Development Committee approved supporting Florida-based Southport Financial Services’ application for low-income tax credits for a proposed 96-unit Lamar Road complex.

▪  The Operations and Finance Committee voted in favor of contracting with a construction company to perform $1.27 million of roadwork on about 30 Bibb County streets.

The contract with Womack Paving, which is expected to go before the full commission for approval in June, would be paid for with local maintenance improvement grant funds. The road projects would involve patchwork, resurfacing and other work on streets such as Kentucky Downs Drive, Kings Park Circle, Bowman Road and Grayson Avenue.

▪  A group is looking to place a memorial plaque outside the Douglass Theatre honoring victims of lynchings.

The Economic and Community Development Committee agreed to allow the plaque to be placed outside the venue by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta’s Beloved Community: Commission for Dismantling Racism. A ceremony would also be held in October at the Tubman Museum in Macon.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb takes on beer regulations, fees."