Macon-Bibb Commission 11/7/23

A nearly one-hour discussion over Bibb County Sheriff's Office staffing and conditions at the jail dominated the first Macon-Bibb County Commission meeting in November. Sheriff David Davis successfully sought to shift $1M in the commissary fund to make repairs in the jail where four inmates escaped in October. Two of the escapees, including an accused killer, were still on the run as the sheriff made his remarks. Commissioners also passed regulations and set penalties for violations of the short term rental policy in the county, approved a couple of alcohol licenses, purchased land on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. near the Greenwood Bottom beautification project, accepted the donation of the old Batemen and Wade grocery store, and agreed to renew the county's agreement with Contour Airlines to provide passenger service out of Middle Georgia Regional Airport with an up to $20M subsidy from the Federal Aviation Administration. The Commission also recognized the 100th anniversary of the Washington Memorial Library, honored Pastor Willie L. Finney, and welcomed distinquished guests from Elmina, Ghana. Here are highlights from the meeting captured in social media posts.