Commissioners authorize transfers, capital appropriations and purchasing actions including $110,000 lumber order for new FBO

Macon‑Bibb County commissioners on Tuesday approved a series of budget and contracting measures, including an accounting transfer to fund road work, an appropriation from previously authorized 2018 proceeds for specified projects, a small parks memorial appropriation and an early lumber purchase to keep an airport fixed‑base operator project on schedule.

The commission approved a budget transfer within the engineering department, moving $250,000 from professional services to a contracts line item to fund road work contracts. Commissioners described the move as an internal accounting transfer for previously approved work; the motion was made by Commissioner Wilder and seconded by Commissioner Wynne.

The panel also approved an ordinance to appropriate up to $10,624,314 from 2018 proceeds “to allocated authorized projects as specified” in the agenda materials. County staff summarized the allocations during the meeting as follows (verbatim from materials presented): “$1,922,840 for stormwater management; $481,696 to stormwater management emergency satisfy obligations under intergovernmental agreement; $865,000 in change for culture and public (health department/mental health) to satisfy obligations under the IGA; $2,384,000 for recreation — Fillmore Thomas Park improvements; $4,000,000 to economic/industrial development to satisfy obligations under IGA; and $970,240 to culture and recreation for the Grand Opera House improvements.” Staff said that each specific contract for these projects will be brought back to commission for formal award. Commissioners voted to move the ordinance to the consent agenda.

Commissioners approved a supplemental appropriation of up to $500 from the general fund to parks and beautification for installation of a memorial bench in Coleman Hill Park in memory of Jim and Tate Bragg. Commissioner Stewart asked whether a plaque could be added; staff said they would consider language for a plaque.

On airport construction, the commission approved a supplemental appropriation to the airport building improvements fund of $110,000 to pre‑purchase lumber for a new FBO. Staff said lumber prices are rising and lead times are long; the total FBO project was described in the meeting as approximately $14,000,000 and the $110,000 appropriation covers the lumber portion staff expects to need. Commissioners approved the request to lock in prices so materials will be available and the project schedule will not slip.

Other finance and contracting actions approved and moved to consent included: - A reimbursement resolution authorizing the county’s intent to reimburse certain capital improvement expenses (staff cited recent vehicle purchases for the sheriff’s office and discussed posting documentation online). The motion was sponsored by Commissioner Bryant and seconded by Commissioner Bailey. - Approval of two $10,000 change orders to Civic Partners to be paid from grant funds for services to the district attorney’s RISE initiative, requested by District Attorney Nita Howard. - Approval to award recordkeeping and administrative services for the county’s defined contribution and deferred compensation plans to Nationwide: compensation not to exceed $98 per plan participant and 0.12% of plan assets per year; staff said Nationwide was selected after an RFP and had been previously contracted in 2019.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the 2018 proceeds appropriation (requests to show the detailed page of project allocations), the Grand Opera House work (staff said Mercer manages the Grand Opera House and provided examples of prior repairs and improvements), the scope of the FBO lumber purchase (staff said it covers the lumber portion and that the full project is larger), and whether reimbursement documentation could be published for citizen review.

Ending: Each of these budget and contracting items was approved and sent to the consent agenda; staff will return individual contract awards to the commission for formal action as required.