Macon Mayor: ‘Disappointed’ with Committee’s Vote Against Picking Up Consolidation Costs

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Mayor of Macon is speaking out after the city’s Appropriations Committee voted to turn down an ordinance that would have provided thousands of dollars to cover consolidation costs.

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert is “disappointed” with the Appropriations Committee’s decision to not fund consolidation costs. The committee voted Monday night and turned down the ordinance that would have taken $250,000 from the city’s reserve fund to cover the costs of consultants and attorneys.

Reichert says hiring these people is important because he believes we should have the best, new government possible.

“For city council to say they’re not going to pay for it or the the Appropriations Committee to vote 2 to 2 they’re not going to pay for it, I think its childish, immature and its very short sited, in my opinion,” Reichert said.

The consolidation charter says the city and county have to foot the bill for the transition costs. Some council members, including Elaine Lucas who opposed consolidation from the beginning, say her constituents shouldn’t have to pay for it.

Reichert says the next step is to try to get the full council to consider the issue further.