Payne Residents Voice Consolidation Concerns to State Representative and Macon Mayor

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Nearly 30 Payne City residents crowded into Payne City Hall to meet with State Representative James Beverly, District 143 and Macon Mayor Robert Reichert.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the role Payne City will play in the upcoming Macon and Bibb County government consolidation.

Beverly said he wanted to hear how the residents felt, and listen to the voters concerns.

“Payne City voted last year not to be a part of consolidated government this year,” said Beverly. “There are people in the community who want to be be included in the consolidation. So how do we figure that out? How do we make that happen? Now as a member of the general assembly, I have the ability to actually sign off as a local legislatior to actually abolish Payne city. But the voters should count.”

Payne resident, William Murray told the politicians, he felt like they had “taxation without representation.” He added wars had been fought over the unfair taxing practice.

Mayor Reichert told the crowd there was no financial advantage for Payne to remain a separate city.

“Payne City continues to have it’s own responsibilities and obligations that are not shared,” said Reichert. “Where as, if they were part of the consolidation government we would all function as one entity.

Mayor Reichert said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss Payne residents’ options.

He added, they could add a referendum to vote again on Payne becoming a part of Macon or remain a separate city.

The Macon mayor said if they became a part of Macon-Bibb County, then Al Tillman would be their county commissioner.

He warned them either way they would still have to pay county taxes.

Previously, when consolidation was on the ballot, only 16 Payne city residents voted. The majority, nine voters elected not to become a part of Macon. That left Payne out of the Jan. 1, merger of Macon and Bibb County government.