Macon-Bibb County ahead of budget projections by $2.9 million

Macon-Bibb County is about $2.9 million ahead of budget projections after estimating savings from early retirements, but county leaders must remain cautious with spending, Mayor Robert Reichert said Tuesday.

Reichert updated the latest budget details as the city-county finalizes the impact of early retirement incentives taken by 235 employees. Macon-Bibb remains a year ahead of schedule to meet the 20-percent budget reduction required in the first five years of consolidation, he said.

In a conservative response to the additional $2.9 million in savings, the county is also reducing its projected revenue by the same amount. The general fund budget is now projected at $144.7 million. Commissioners approved a budget of $147.6 million in June.

“If we can sustain this, we are within striking distance of the 20-percent reduction,” Reichert said during Tuesday’s budget workshop.

Macon-Bibb is projecting a reduction of 105 positions from early retirements on its general fund ledger. County leaders should remain judicious with spending as the number of people drawing from pension plans increases, Reichert said.

The county also could see an increase from the projected sales tax revenue as trends statewide shows more money coming in, said Julie Moore, assistant to the county manager for Budget & Strategic Planning.

Another budget workshop will be scheduled for next week.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb County ahead of budget projections by $2.9 million ."