Governor signs Milledgeville-Baldwin unification legislation

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Residents of Milledgeville and Baldwin County will get to vote on whether they want a consolidated government.

On Tuesday, Governor Nathan Deal signed the legislation that allows citizens to vote on the future of their local government. Both the county and the city have to pass it in their November election for consolidation to take place.

State Representative Rusty Kidd said the governor didn’t receive any letters asking him to veto the bill, only letters of support.

Milledgeville Acting Mayor Jeanette Walden told 41NBC the signing was just a formality and it doesn’t mean the governor supports the legislation. She adds both she and her constituents do not think consolidation is in the best interest of the city.

“I would hate to see what’s happening in Macon-Bibb happen to us,” said Walden.

Milledgeville Councilman Walter Reynolds attended the signing along with others who support the legislation. He said many people support the proposal and thinks the people who are against it may not know enough about it. He plans to host a series of community forums and town halls meetings to educate citizens so they can make an informed decision in the upcoming November election. Reynolds said the dates for these forums will be scheduled within the next week.