Bibb County adopts FY2027 budget after approving HUD‑funded housing and homeless service allocations

The Bibb County Board of Commissioners on June 16 adopted its fiscal 2027 budget and approved proposed allocations for federal housing and community development grants after a staff presentation and commissioner questions.

Wena Jackson, who identified herself as representing the Economic and Community Development Department, presented proposed uses for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Jackson told the commission the county expected an ESG entitlement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of $161,244 and recommended allocations including emergency shelter ($33,942), a homeless prevention/rapid‑rehousing line (presented in the materials at about $85,209) and $30,000 for street outreach. Jackson summarized eligible ESG activities as rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, shelter operations and outreach and described the program’s planning and administration caps.

Jackson also described HOME program priorities—affordable rental and homeownership projects, a 15% CHDO set‑aside and requirements for local match and program income—and reviewed proposed uses of CDBG funds for public services, rehabilitation, infrastructure and economic development. She read the recommended public‑service awards included in commissioners’ packets: Big Brothers Big Sisters ($30,000); Crisis Line and Safe House ($44,324); Family Advancement Ministries ($33,185); Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia ($45,896); Home First Resource Services ($46,912); MACEOCC Transportation ($15,000); and Salvation Army ($54,768). Jackson explained application windows (HOME applications typically in late winter, CDBG in the fall), outreach methods, and that minor home‑repair programs are administered in‑house.

Commissioners asked for clarification on how many housing units might be produced with the HOME funds, how applicants and builders learn about funding opportunities, outreach to people experiencing homelessness and how HMIS data are reported. Jackson said unit counts depend on specific project proposals, described funding workshops and local advertising routes, and said the county and partner agencies participate in a local homeless coalition and use HMIS for reporting to the state.

On procedural votes the commission placed the presented items on the consent agenda during the pre‑commission meeting and later, during the regular session, voted to adopt the FY2027 budget as published. Several grants and agreements were also approved on the record: acceptance of a 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) of $50,000 with a $50,000 local match to buy an EMA vehicle; acceptance of a Judicial Council of Georgia ARPA grant of $119,365 for the superior court to hire senior judges/staff; and acceptance of a FIFA World Cup security subgrant of $59,320 to the Bib County Sheriff’s Office to support security staffing and canine resources for event coverage. The commission also approved routine license and contract items on the consent agenda.

What happens next: the adopted budget and approved grant agreements will be brought into county accounting and individual contract documents will be executed by the mayor and appropriate staff. Jackson and her department will return later in the year with recommended contract awards to agencies that applied for HOME and CDBG funding.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): • Appointment: David Cole to the Defined Contribution and Deferred Compensation Plan administrative board — approved; placed on consent agenda (motion carried). • Alcohol license: Joe’s Joyce (3691 Spencer Circle) — denial approved (legal’s recommendation). • Alcohol licenses: Texico Food Mart (2893 Napier Ave.), Vital Latin Kitchen (3267 Vineville Ave.), Extra Mile (2630 Emery Hwy.), A1 Stop & Shop (1433 Eisenhower Pkwy.) — approvals; placed on consent agenda. • Contracts: Meroline Pyrochnics, LLC — fireworks show at Lake Tobisaki (first‑year amount reported in the record as $27,500; term up to five years) — approved. • Contracts: Advent Business Interiors — furniture for code enforcement officers (amount in transcript garbled) — approved. • Grants: EMPG $50,000 with $50,000 local match — accepted. • Grants: Judicial Council ARPA $119,365 — accepted. • Grants: FIFA event security subgrant $59,320 (Sheriff’s Office) — accepted. • FY2027 budget ordinance — adopted as published (motion carried unanimously).

Key documents and contacts cited during the meeting included HUD program guidance (ESG/HOME/CDBG), HMIS reporting through the state (Georgia Department of Community Affairs) and Jackson’s office for application workshops and minor home‑repair intake (contact number presented on the record).