How Will Macon-Bibb Consolidation Bring 20% Savings?

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Category: Brandon Long
Published on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 13:11
Written by Brandon Long
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State Senator Robert Brown appeared on 41 NBC News at 6pm Tuesday to explain the details of his restructuring plan.· Read Senate Bill 274 here.

His bill would require a new Macon-Bibb consolidated government to cut expenses by 20%.· To bring those savings to taxpayers, local leaders would have to make massive cuts as they form a new government.· Brown tells 41 NBC those cuts would come from several changes, including modifying local authority boards, abolishing the current city and county departments, changing employee benefit plans, and restructuring the workforce.

 

Sen. Brown told 41 NBC all employees would have the opportunity to reapply for their jobs in the new government, and the best would be rehired.· For example, if both the city and county have finance departments and each has five employees, and if the new government only needed six workers, then the six people best would be hired.

Sen. Brown also expects savings to come from restructuring pension plans, saying the new government's pension plan would be different from the current ones offered by the city and county.· Current employees' pensions would be protected, and those who are rehired would have theirs merged under the system.

The bill has bipartisan support in the State Senate, with Bibb County's other state senator, Cecil Staton, telling 41 NBC he approved of the plan.· Brown says he expects it will also pass in the State House before the current session ends.

If the bill passes in the House, voters will ultimately decide in a county-wide vote in November 2012.· If voters approve, that would begin the process of forming a new government.·

  • November 2012: Voters decide on consolidating government.
  • January 2013: A transition task force made up of nine people (outlined in Section 42 of SB 274) will form in to resolve remaining issues not outlined in the original legislation.
  • November 2015: Election Day for Macon-Bibb County consolidated government
  • January 2016: 11 member council and county-wide mayor take office.

RELATED STORIES: 

Mayor Reichert and Chairman Hart in Favor of Consolidation

Sen. Brown Talks Macon-Bibb Consolidation

Watch 41 NBC's Coreen Savitski's Interview with Georgia State Senator Robert Brown:

41NBC.com