Funding approved for new Macon-Bibb voting site

Macon voters could have another site to cast a ballot this year.

On Tuesday, the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved allowing the Board of Elections to spend up to $31,750 to set up a second early voting location.

The second place is expected to alleviate some of the long lines outside the elections office during advance voting.

Early voting now takes place at the current 2445 Pio Nono Ave. elections office.

Voters would have to be notified of any new voting location at least 60 days prior to an election. The 2016 election cycle begins with the March 1 presidential primaries, but it's too late to meet that deadline. Instead election officials are "shooting for the May election," said Julie Moore, assistant to the county manager for budget and planning.

The Board of Elections is expected to vote Thursday on a site. Two of the potential locations are the Macon Coliseum's Monument Room and Terminal Station.

Macon-Bibb officials also are seeking a new location for the elections office headquarters after a potential move into the former Shoe Carnival at Westgate Mall stalled as questions arose last month over the parameters of a lease.

MACON BUYS MORE RECYCLING BINS

Macon-Bibb residents interested in getting a recycling container may have a good shot at receiving one within the next few months.

The commission approved spending about $141,000 to buy another 3,456 recycling containers that will be given to residents. The purchase comes because of the large number of people who have been asking for new recycling containers.

The county has had about 1,800 requests since late last year and has delivered more than 1,200 bins to residents.

"(The Solid Waste Department) had ordered 1,700 carts, thinking it would last nine months and they've already run out," Mayor Robert Reichert said Tuesday.

BASKETBALL LEAGUE BUDGET PASSES

A budget has been put together for a Macon basketball league aimed at providing young people with resources to improve their education and life skills.

The County Commission voted Tuesday on dividing up $25,110 to pay for things such as staff, educational enrichment and uniforms for the Operation Cease Fire Midnight Basketball League. A pilot program for the league, spearheaded by Commissioner Virgil Watkins, is on track for this year at Bloomfield Recreation Center, 4115 Lions Place.

MACON OFFICIALS APPOINT MAYOR PRO TEM

Also Tuesday, Commissioner Bert Bivins was reappointed as mayor pro tem. A mayor pro tem serves in the capacity of mayor in instances such as absence from meetings or a resignation.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Funding approved for new Macon-Bibb voting site ."