Macon-Bibb commissioners ask state lawmakers to consider charter change allowing equal term limits; measure passes 6-3

Macon — The Macon-Bibb County Commission voted 6-3 on Jan. 7 to ask the county’s legislative delegation to introduce legislation amending Section 10E of the Macon‑Bibb County Charter to provide “equal term limitations for all members” of county authorities.

The resolution received sustained public comment before the formal vote, with multiple residents urging commissioners to reject or delay the charter change. After limited discussion and a failed effort to table the item, the commission moved forward with a formal roll-call vote that passed by a 6-3 margin.

Public comment opened the meeting on the topic. Keaton Maxwell told commissioners, “Who do you think you are?” and accused local leaders of eroding public trust, saying the community must “reject the temptation of personal gain” and urging a “Vote no to the greed…for our 3rd term.” Carlton Kitchens echoed opposition, saying, “I don't think the mayor need a 3rd term,” and called for other qualified candidates to be considered. Gwen Westbrooks, identified in the meeting as president of the NAACP, asked commissioners to ensure public comments are not discarded and urged the commission to consider broader charter changes if term limits are to be altered.

Other residents also addressed the commission. Mr. Mohammed said directly, “The answer to the question of extending the term or adding a third term would be no and absolutely no,” and asked commissioners to seek constituent input before making charter changes. Miss Lucas, who identified herself as the District 1 board member on the county’s water authority, urged commissioners to consider infrastructure and storm‑drainage needs when allocating future funding, and asked that planning and zoning appointments respect historic preservation when reviewing alcohol‑related variances near churches.

Commission debate included a short attempt to table the resolution for one week for broader discussion and workgroup review; that motion failed. Commissioner Bronson moved to table the item for a week to allow work groups to convene and discuss charter changes, but the motion failed on the floor.

The final motion to request the delegation introduce the charter amendment was made by Mayor Pro Tem Clark and seconded by Commissioner Howell. During roll call, Commissioners Bronson, Stewart and Wynne voted no. Commissioners Hewlett, Clark, Wilder, Howard, Bryant and Bailey voted yes. The chair announced the motion carried 6‑3.

The commission also approved its consent agenda (items A through L) earlier in the meeting; item M, the charter‑change resolution, was taken separately after public comment. The meeting adjourned after the vote.

The resolution itself asks the county’s local delegation to file legislation at the state level to change the local charter; as written in the meeting materials it referenced amending Section 10E of the Macon‑Bibb County Charter but did not specify the exact statutory text that the delegation would file.

Commissioners and speakers emphasized differing priorities: opponents urged more public engagement and town‑hall style meetings before altering the charter, while supporters characterized the change as a governance improvement and voted to move the request to the delegation.

No timetable for the delegation’s action was provided during the meeting, and no state bill number was available at the time of the vote. The commission did not adopt an immediate local ordinance or charter amendment at the meeting — the action approved was a request to local legislators to introduce state legislation to effect the change.

Votes at a glance: Resolution asking local delegation to introduce legislation amending Section 10E of the Macon‑Bibb County Charter — Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Clark; second by Commissioner Howell; Roll‑call vote: Yes — Hewlett, Clark, Wilder, Howard, Bryant, Bailey (6). No — Bronson, Stewart, Wynne (3). Outcome: approved.

The commission did not provide additional follow‑up steps or a timeline for public engagement on the proposed charter change at the meeting; several public speakers urged commission members to hold broader community input sessions before state action.