Macon-Bibb mayor names finalists for seven department directors

Seven interim Macon-Bibb County department heads were recommended Tuesday to take over the permanent jobs.

The County Commission is expected to vote next week on the appointments recommended by Mayor Robert Reichert during a committee meeting Tuesday.

The seven candidates have served in interim roles since a series of directors accepted an early retirement buyout package or resigned earlier this year.

The people recommended Tuesday as directors include: Sonja Adams with the Animal Welfare Department; Spencer Hawkins with Emergency Management Agency; Reggie Moore with the Recreation Department; Marvin Land with the Public Works Department; Janice Ross as clerk of the commission; Robert Ryals with Facilities Management; and Donnie Self, who would head E-911.

"I think you'll agree these constituted the best of the best, and these people can lead these departments forward," Reichert said to commissioners Tuesday.

The county is still deciding how to move forward with the Information Technology Department after the retirement of IT Director Steve Masteller. The county had more than 200 employees accept the early retirement packages, as the government sought to cut at least 93 positions outside of public safety to fit its budget.

SENIOR CENTER PLANS APPROVED

The commission's Economic and Community Development Committee approved floor and site plans for a new Macon-Bibb County Senior Citizens Center on Tuesday.

The plans presented to commissioners for the Central City Park site were the same ones unveiled last month to a group of seniors. If approved by the full commission next week, then construction documents would be drawn up to be sent out for bid, said Bruce Morris, project manager with the architectural firm Sizemore Group.

The plans for the 11,000-square-foot building feature rooms for various programs, a warming kitchen and dining room. There's an exercise room, multipurpose room and a space for arts and crafts. There would also be a billiards area, computer center and another room for music and lectures that will have a small library.

The outdoor space would feature a gazebo, garden and two parking lots.

There is $2.7 million set aside for the project, which could open in early 2017.

MOTOR TAG RENEWALS

There could be a new method for people to renew their motor vehicle registration in 2016.

Bibb County Tax Commissioner Wade McCord discussed with commissioners details of having a kiosk set up at the Kroger on Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard, The Operations and Finance Committee approved moving a contract forward to the full commission next week.

The kiosk would be open 24 hours so it would be more convenient than going to the tax commissioner's office or waiting for renewals to be mailed after ordering them online, McCord said.

There would be a $3.95 service fee for each renewal, according to the agreement.

"This kiosk has a regional concept. A taxpayer from another county, if their county is a regional partner, can come to our county to renew their registration," he said.

FIRE STATION

The commission's Facilities and Engineering Committee approved a proposal to buy land for the new home of the Breezy Hill Fire Station now located on Forsyth Road.

The $105,000 agreement for the Napier Avenue property will go before the commission next week. County officials have said the move is needed because the station is outdated, and there's difficulty with getting the fire trucks in and out of the station.

The money for the station would come from a special purpose local option sales tax. It costs about $2 million to build a fire station, not including equipment.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 4:57 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb mayor names finalists for seven department directors ."