Consolidation 2012

05/21/2024

One Voice for Us Has Worked!
Consolidation was overwhelmingly approved by the voters of Macon and Bibb County on July 31st, 2012.
One change the voters wanted was a term limit of 3 terms for the Commissioners.

Today, voters will be electing 4 citizens as new Commissioners because of term limits.
Welcome to our new leaders!

Consolidation has been more successful than we ever imagined.

The tax rate for the old City of Macon was 40 mills.
Today it is 10 mills.
The tax rate for Bibb County was 30 mills.
Today it is 10 mills.
Double taxation was eliminated.
Tax equity and fairness were implemented.

Our unified local government is smaller, much less expensive, more efficient and more responsive.

The progress is obvious.

The Consolidation Movement was the largest, grass roots citizen lead effort in the history of our community.

This is what democracy looks like when average folks get involved, take charge and work together to make their hometown a better place to live, work and raise their families.

We have come a long way in 12 years, but there is always more to do.

We said in 2012 that Consolidation was not a destination, but a journey.

Let’s stay involved and keep improving
Macon+Bibb!

06/17/2015

They Said It Couldn't Be Done: It Has Been Done!

City Taxes Cut To $ZERO. Double Taxation Finally Eliminated.

$280 Savings per $100,000 Property Value Every Year From Now On. No Tax Increase To The County. Pay Equalized.

First Consolidated Government In US To Save Money!

Pretty Darn Good Start for 18 Months! Thank You To Mayor Reichert and the Macon+Bibb Commission. We Knew That You Could!

Without too much debate over the issue, the Macon-Bibb County Commission voted 8-1 Tuesday night to approve the fiscal 2016 budget.

05/19/2015

FIRST CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT IN U.S. TO SAVE MONEY!

Thank you Mayor Reichert and the Macon+Bibb Commission.

Pretty Darn Good Start!

Before consolidation was approved in the state General Assembly, then state Sen. Cecil Staton loaded it with a poison pill. The bill required the new unified government of Macon-Bibb County to cut its budget by 20 percent in the first five years of its existence. There was many a “woe is me” lifted…

03/27/2015

A Giant of a Man. A Workhorse for Consolidation.

We miss you, but know that your love of family, of our community and your good works live on to continue helping others.

Rest In Peace My Friend.

Read the Obituary and view the Guest Book, leave condolences or send flowers. | Edward Allen Walsh Macon, GA- Edward Allen Walsh, 55, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with

07/16/2014

Consolidation IS Working!
The Macon Transit Authority (MTA) can now get federal grants for renovation, maintenance and utilities which are not available if they do not own the building and can result in the building paying its way.
The previous City Council voted against these obvious benefits.
Thanks to Mayor Reichert and our new Commission for saving us money and doing the smart thing. Consolidation=Efficiency=Savings.

The Macon Transit Authority is looking to transfer the title from the county.

07/16/2014

Consolidation IS Working!
The Macon Transit Authority (MTA) can now get federal grants for renovation, maintenance and utilities which are not available if they do not own the building and can result in the building paying its way.
The previous City Council voted against these obvious benefits.
Thanks to Mayor Reichert and our new Commission for saving us money and doing the smart thing. Consolidation=Efficiency=Savings.

Macon-Bibb County commissioners voted 8-0 Tuesday night to give the historic Terminal Station to the Macon Transit Authority, which manages the building and occupies part of it.

07/06/2014

Consolidation IS Working: Kumho Tire will begin construction next month with a $413 million investment for 450 jobs!
Taxes in the former city are down by 1/2 this year and will be gone next year. This is the complete elimination of double taxation that has plagued some of the poorest people in America. We will all pay the same taxes and the same rate. One tax, one rate. We already saved $2 million in health insurance cost. We have increased CDBG funds by $500,000 as a city over 100,000. No layoffs have occurred. Pension funds remain strong and funded. The first budget was balanced and passed unanimously. The total $159 million budget is $7 million less than the combined budgets of the two previous governments, a 4.4% reduction, and is the first of any consolidated government in the United States to actually save money. It seems like a pretty darn good start for just six months. Yes, there is a long way to go to keep rebuilding a better community that has faced so many challenges for too long. And, we must continually look for ways to come together and improve our community. But for now, One Voice for Us, as a unified Macon+Bibb government is producing savings, stability, efficiency, focus, jobs and most importantly, HOPE, hope that. together we can keep building a better community. We never said that consolidation was a panacea to all our ills. But we did promise that it would produce the positive benefits that have occurred. It sure seems better than the path we were on. There will be bumps along any path, but we are headed to a better place and the long term benefits are coming. If we give it a chance, stay involved and work together in good faith, this part of the overall governmental structure in this community will continue to help move us forward.

Kumho Tire will start construction of its long-awaited manufacturing plant in Macon in August, economic development officials and Kumho representatives announced Tuesday.

05/17/2014

Consolidation Is Working: Macon+Bibb Bond Rating Improves

One financial benefit from Macon-Bibb County consolidation has come to pass, said Commissioner Gary Bechtel, chairman of the commission’s Operations & Finance Committee.

05/16/2014

Thank you, Erick, for your support of Consolidation and for recognizing some of the folks that worked so hard to make Macon+Bibb A Better Community.

Consolidation Is Working! One Voice for Macon+Bibb.

Calder Pinkston staked his reputation on the consolidation of Macon and Bibb County. A lawyer and long-time political strategist for local politicians, Pinkston helped build the intellectual and financial case for consolidation.

05/14/2014

BREAKING NEWS: CONSOLIDATION IS WORKING

NET SAVINGS $80 per year for each $100,000 value AND First Consolidated Government in the United States to Save Money! Now that would be a good headline. Let's give the citizens clear and accurate information. Consolidation is Working. Taxes are down in the city, no increase in the county and a smaller budget--THE FIRST YEAR.
As promised.

http://www.macon.com/2014/05/13/3096080/reichert-proposes-1587-million.html?sp=/99/148/198/

05/14/2014

NET SAVINGS $80 per year for each $100,000 value AND First Consolidated Government in the United States to Save Money! Now that would be a good headline. Let's give the citizens clear and accurate information. Consolidation is Working. Taxes are down in the city, no increase in the county and a smaller budget--THE FIRST YEAR. As promised.

Residents within the former Macon city limits can expect a property tax cut but a fire-protection fee increase, while residents of the former unincorporated Bibb County can expect to see a hike in utility franchise fees, according to the proposed first Macon-Bibb County consolidated budget.