Macon‑Bibb Commission advances consent agenda including three alcohol‑license denials, pension changes and siren upgrade

The Macon‑Bibb County Commission on Dec. 2 moved a slate of items to the consent agenda, voting unanimously on routine approvals and several substantive changes affecting pensions and public‑safety equipment.

The meeting opened with approval of the Nov. 18, 2025 precommission minutes. The panel then approved three final recommendations to deny alcohol‑beverage licenses: Tende Bernabe at 4221 Mercer University Drive, Suite 3; an establishment transcribed in the record as "Tom's food mark" at 811 Pianona Avenue; and a business transcribed as "Jek 20 22 LLC" at 3565 (transcribed) Pionano Avenue. Each denial was moved and seconded and each motion carried unanimously.

The commission also approved two board appointment items. It reappointed Dr. Monique Davis Smith to the River Edge Behavioral Health board and submitted a slate of three nominees for a hospital authority seat formerly held by John Houser — Dr. Mark Grossnickle, Dr. Bill Tift and Steve Krueger — under the state law procedure explained by counsel.

On pension matters, county counsel presented an ordinance amending appendices to the Macon‑Bibb County Charter to (1) create a one‑time $50,000 death benefit for certain active employees who vest but die before drawing retirement payments and (2) adjust the pension calculation for retired Superior Court judges after a recent state law change in judicial pay. Counsel said the charter amendment requires two votes and, if approved at both meetings, would be filed with the secretary of state; the commission approved the first reading and sent it to the consent agenda.

Separately, the commission approved a one‑time, 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for retirees and beneficiaries across the county pension plans in lieu of the standard 1.5% adjustment. Attorney McNeil presented a cost analysis and said the total unfunded liability attributable to the change was "approximately $12,800,000" over the lifetime of the adjustment; the liability is amortized over 10 years for some plans and 20 years for others. Commissioners who could receive a benefit filed written disclosures on the record; counsel advised disclosure — not recusal — was appropriate for the votes taken that evening.

The commission also approved a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 for county telephone expenses to match the actual contract price and authorized a $208,530 purchase agreement with North American Fire Equipment for V‑Force fire protective gear.

Finally, the panel approved a floor amendment and then approved a contract to upgrade the county outdoor warning siren system. County staff said the SPLOST‑funded project reduces the package price by removing a maintenance agreement from the capital purchase (maintenance will be handled separately) and increases the siren network from 56 to 83 units to provide cross‑county coverage. Emergency Management Director Spencer Hawkins said, "We have 56 sirens currently. We're moving up to 83 sirens," and described a multi‑phase installation process. Commissioners clarified project cost concerns raised by a constituent — one commissioner had been told the price was $12 million — and the mayor and staff confirmed the siren contract under consideration is about $2.7 million.

All measures considered and moved during the precommission session carried and were placed on the consent agenda for final consideration at the regular commission meeting.