Chairman and Mayor Optimistic about Bibb’s Future

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert and Bibb County Chairman say they are both optimistic about about the state of the county.

They credit the overwhelming passage of the SPLOST in November, which has help the leaders sing the same tune.

The Mayor and Chairman’s top priorities for the year are to start getting SPLOST projects up and going, and to help create an easy transition for employees affected by the service delivery strategy.

The pair addressed a room full of dozens at the 4th Annual Future of Macon and Bibb County Luncheon.

Trey Hecht says hearing the leaders tone of confidence was refreshing. “I was actually really excited to see how confident and happy they were with the way the city was going,” says Hecht.

Chairman Sam Hart says the county has made drastic changes. “It was an angry community. People were angry. People didn’t like what we were doing with our tax money,” says Hart.

He says now the county and city are agreeing and on the right track. “We’ve been able to get things done and not just barely get them done,” says Hart.

Mayor Reichert and Chairman Hart say the passage of the SPLOST and Service Delivery Strategy were huge milestones.

Unfortunately, concerns have been raised by city employees over being transferred to the county.
It’s an issue that the mayor and chairman are working closely on.

“We’ve committed to make the salaries so people don’t suffer any adverse kind of situations as it relates to salaries, but as it relates to benefits…it’s one of the unknowns,” says Hart.

The biggest question raised by those in attendance was consolidation. Both the mayor and chairman say they are looking forward to getting the opportunity to vote on a bill.