Macon-Bibb Commission 10/4/22

To help keep storm drains clear and reduce flash flooding, the Macon-Bibb County Commission increased fines for blowing leaves into the gutter from $25 to $250. Commissioner Bill Howell, who also serves on the Macon Water Authority, initiated the change after flooding stranded cars on Zebulon Road over the Labor Day Weekend. Commissioner Elaine Lucas voted against the measure after expressing concerns the fee was too high for poor citizens. Lucas also thought law enforcement has enough to deal with without policing gutters, but Howell said MWA plans to deputize some employees to issue citations, which has the support of the sheriff. The Commission also voted to hire Department of Corrections offender work details, with Commissioner Virgil Watkins voting against the plan. Watkins favors hiring local contractors instead. Here is a summation of Tweets describing the actions taken during the Committee of the Whole that received final approval in the regular meeting immediately following.