Bibb County voters approve sales tax, Warner Robins mayoral race heads to runoff
Bibb County voters overwhelming approved a new penny sales tax Tuesday intended to fund incentives for first responders, pay for infrastructure projects and decrease property taxes.
The Other Local Option Sales Tax, or OLOST, will add a 1% sales tax to purchases in Macon and generate an estimated $30 million a year.
Mayor Lester Miller said the county expects property taxes to eventually decrease around 35-40%.
Miller said 70% of the OLOST will be paid by people who don’t live in Bibb County because they either pass through Macon while they are traveling or they are here to visit.
“I think it’s a win-win for all of Macon-Bibb County,” Miller said. “It provides the largest tax decrease our county has ever had. It allows us to adequately recruit and retain the very best public safety employees by funding the incentive package we announced earlier this year. And it will encourage businesses to relocate to Macon-Bibb County. They’ll have an incentive to build and invest in our community, and people are going to want to live here with lower property taxes.”
The county will begin collecting the increased sales tax in 2022 and property owners should see a tax reduction the following year. More than 80% of voters (8,668) voted for the tax, with 19.5% (2,089) against it. Miller noted Tuesday’s turnout was higher than previous elections for special sales taxes.
Voting at Appling Middle School, Tillman Bacon said he was happy to get out and perform his civic duty.
“In my opinion, I voted no because they are charging people too much already,” he said of the OLOST. “Even though it’s not but a penny, I think ‘No.’ They’ve got to find other means and ways.”
Mary-Paula Hodenett voted at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church Tuesday, and she said she support the measure.
“It’s only fair that everyone has to pay the tax,” she said. “Right now, only property owners pay it. Most people in this district don’t even own property, they live with somebody or in an apartment.”
Houston County
In Warner Robins, incumbent Randy Toms will face Fort Valley city attorney LaRhonda Patrick in a Nov. 30 runoff election. Toms received 3,290 votes (45.5%) Tuesday, followed closely by Patrick (3,197 votes, or 44.2%). Stephen Baughier came in third with 746 votes.
“I’ve worked for this city for 35 years; it’s what I know, what I do,” Toms said. “If we’re able to win, we’re going to keep moving forward like we’ve been doing. Things are going well, and I hope the people will give me a chance to continue moving forward with the progress we’re making.”
Patrick would be the first Black person and woman to be elected mayor of Warner Robins (Henrietta McIntyre served as acting mayor in 1993-94).
“I think I’ve shown voters I’m a true nonpartisan candidate,” she said. “I put people over power. I stand for making sure that people are on the agenda, and I’m going to rally for what’s best for the city.”
Here are the other Houston County results:
Warner Robins City Council Post 1 (at large)
- Derek B. Mack (Incumbent): 4,577 votes
- Jonathan “Jon” D. Nichols: 1,643
- Leslie Morales: 861
Warner Robins City Council Post 3
- Keith Lauritsen (Incumbent): 1,096 votes
- Angie Eugene: 564
- Scott A. Howard: 329
Warner Robins City Council Post 5
- Clifford Holmes, Jr. (Incumbent): 727 votes
- Michael Jones: 548
Perry Mayor
- Randall Walker (incumbent): 799 votes
- Unresolved write-in: 46
Perry City Council District 1 Post 1
- Phyllis Bynum-Grace (incumbent): 153 votes
- Unresolved write-in: 6
Perry City Council District 2 Post 1
- Robert Jones (incumbent): 319 votes
- William D. Phelps: 195
Perry City Council District 3 Post 1
- Darryl Albritton (incumbent): 199 votes
- Unresolved write-in: 6
Other Middle Georgia races
Jeffery Lundy defeated LeMario Brown in the Fort Valley mayor election. Lundy will replace outgoing mayor Barbara Williams next year.
In Milledgeville, Richard Mullins Jr. defeated Jessica McQuain 161 votes to 85 for the District 5 city council seat. Steve Chambers bested Daisy Childs 237 to 115 for the District 6 seat.
Crawford County voters approved a resolution allowing the City of Roberta to issue alcohol licenses to restaurants, with 162 people voting for the resolution and 73 against.
Dublin voters selected Joshua Kight as their next mayor. He defeated Jerry Davis 1,734 votes to 1,348 and will replace interim mayor Julie Driger.
Voters in both Jones County and Peach County approved a new Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or TSPLOST, for their counties.
Mercer University students Mandi Delong, Micah Johnston, Faith Montgomery and Victoria Whitehead contributed to this story.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 8:00 AM.
