ÿWPC? ,:¿ÈĶþSOÒAðvŒ^€@ÆíùSÐ/¼ä[‰Þs»‘QL` /NÓ&â·[R¤€dY.Z†Tþ~}˜T/ŽV”m¼ÿEk‹í굦&–1¦ýןÝbÞJˆÑˆ¿ ês­mÍãW>:£!¹ššŽ¤öôÛ=±7Š4ÕŽ‹´ü@ʺ•7¿¯„˜XÖ ˜Q¹$<Ù&oê vHo`ãÉóIºÝ3öÕsÜCãµ')5°$ÑßRÈkÓ¸(ÒÓüeó·¢ÔŠšõºÜh˜ðjkŠá¼míB„þ"líl‘ÂÛ¦Hs[th û6— ƒO¡Î‹ôìy2¼¶ø'_šj¢ñ~O"cqü ź§Ï’íÜE\”œáÄ#>Ê9u¸—F“Yþðìe#â°kÙ rš{¹'Þ› ºéO Qç ”j!1(•ñbè(JYˆñ]›Ý¹€½ƒÜÊÎ/¯T#KßfÕ 0ò(ûÁî$ê2¹jsA,àø©JO¿Äú–£3¶j«T þür XR•û¸JuËÜ~L}KŒ÷ïA¯Yà+‡i Ä€é·É+{¹zJ§&zdÖjˆR«ðÖÿþð/AÝAî̺h.@ø¬Fú­¡Š¬‚Y*ÅàUNð %> 0(D4lN€w@‚#!Â^ ãï mñ 1 1u• 0c Òm"|xC (ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡C_T' : [; < E= > E? @ EA B EC g˜Lexmark Optra E+,ä,,,,,ä0”e'ä4ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(× CEMU]emu}AutoList1(a)(a)(a)(a)(a)(a)(a)(a)3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à hereinaboveireenactmentRedesignationinterfundPostauditnonresidencycounty-wideÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÓ0ÿÿ° €p` P H!°œX0ÓÑ8€&XXdìdì8Ñà@&ìàARTICLE€IˆÐ ° Ðà@Þ Þ ìàUNIFICATION,€CREATION,€BOUNDARIES,€STATUS,€ANDˆÌà@F F ìàPOWERS€OF€UNIFIED€GOVERNMENTˆÌÌòòSECTION€1-101óó.Ð `° ÐÌ€Unification€of€County€and€City;€Creation€of€Unified€Government;€Name.€(a)€€The€governmental€andÏcorporate€powers,€duties,€and€functions€now€vested€in€the€governing€authority€of€the€City€of€Macon,Ïa€municipal€corporation€created€by€anòò€óóAct€of€the€General€Assembly€of€Georgia,€approved€March€23,Ð  ` Ð1977€(Ga.€L.€1977,€p.€3776),€as€amended,€òòóóare€hereby€unified€with€the€governmental€and€corporateÐ ü L  Ðpowers,€duties,€and€functions€of€Bibb€County.ò ò€ó ó€This€unification€shall€result€in€the€creation€andÐ è 8  Ðestablishment€of€a€single€county-wide€government€with€powers€and€jurisdiction€throughout€theÏterritorial€limits€of€Bibb€County,€which€single€government€shall€supersede€and€replace€theÏgovernments€of€the€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€County.€€Said€county-wide€government€shall€be€a€newÏpolitical€entity,€a€body€politic€and€corporate,€and€a€political€subdivision€of€the€state,€to€be€known€asÏ"Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,"€having€all€the€governmental€and€corporate€powers,€duties,€and€functionsÏheretofore€held€by€and€vested€in€the€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€County,€and€also€the€powers,€duties,Ïand€functions€provided€in€this€charter.€€Such€unified€government€shall€not€include€the€municipalÏcorporation€of€Payne€City,€Georgia,€which€shall€retain€its€charter€and€maintain€the€same€legalÏrelationship€with€the€unified€government€as€it€had€with€Bibb€County€prior€to€the€effective€date€of€thisÏcharter,€except€as€otherwise€provided€in€this€charter.€€The€unified€government€shall€be€a€publicÏcorporation;€shall€have€perpetual€existence;€shall€adopt€a€common€seal;€shall,€without€the€necessityÏor€formality€of€a€deed,€bill€of€sale,€or€other€instrument€of€transfer,€own,€possess,€and€hold€all€theÏproperties€of€whatsoever€kind€or€nature,€assets,€contracts,€franchises,€things,€rights,€privileges,Ïimmunities,€and€real€and€personal€property€theretofore€owned,€possessed,€enjoyed,€or€held€by€theÏCity€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County;€and€by€the€name€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€capable€of€suingÏand€being€sued€when€authorized€by€this€charter€and€by€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€the€State€ofÏGeorgia.€€From€and€after€the€effective€date€of€this€charter,€the€political€subdivision€known€as€BibbÏCounty,€Georgia,€and€the€municipal€corporation€known€as€the€City€of€Macon,€Georgia,€shall€beÏunified€into€the€said€new€political€entity€created€in€this€charter.ÌÌò òó ó(b)Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€encourage€the€meaningful€involvement€in€its€operations€of€all€citizensÐ H!˜ Ðof€Macon„Bibb,€particularly€those€who€are€members€of€minority€or€other€traditionally€disadvantagedÏgroups,€as€appointees,€employees,€and€independent€contractors.€€No€individual€shall€be€denied€anyÏopportunity€on€the€basis€of€race,€gender,€religion,€age,€Ô_ÔñC ñhandicapñC ññC ñdisabilityñC ñ,Ô_Ô€or€national€origin.ÌÌ(c)The€unification€of€the€governments€of€the€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€County€is€authorized€pursuantÏto€the€provisions€of€Article€IX,€Section€III,€Paragraph€II(a)€of€the€Constitution€of€Georgia€of€1983,Ïas€amended.ÌÌòòSECTION€1-102óó.Ð ”)ä$( ÐÌBoundaries.€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€embrace€the€total€area€included€within€the€existing€territorialÐ l+¼&* Ðlimits€of€Bibb€County€as€such€limits€are€fixed€and€established€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter,Ïexcept€for€those€areas€within€the€boundaries€of€Payne€City.ò ò€€ó óHowever,€such€limits€may€be€altered€andÐ œì Ðchanged€from€time€to€time€as€provided€by€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€the€State€of€GeorgiaÏpertaining€to€counties.€€That€portion€of€the€City€of€Macon€which€lies€in€Jones€County€will€not€beÏincluded€in€the€area€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€but€will€remain€a€part€of€Jones€County.€ÌÌòòSECTION€1-103óó.Ð < Œ ÐÌStatus€as€Municipal€Corporation€and€County.€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€be€deemed€to€be€both€aÏmunicipal€corporation€and€a€county€throughout€the€total€territory€of€said€government.€It€is€the€expressÏintention€of€this€section€to€declare€as€a€city€and€as€a€part€of€the€unified€government€all€of€the€area€ofÏBibb€County,€except€for€those€areas€within€the€boundaries€of€ñB ñthe€ñB ñPayne€City.€ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€1-104óó.Ð °  ÐÌPowers.€(a)€€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€have€all€powers€of€self-government€authorized€by€theÏConstitution€and€not€otherwise€prohibited€by€the€laws€of€Georgia.ÌÌ(b)In€addition€to€the€foregoing,€the€unified€government€shall€have€and€be€vested€with,€to€the€sameÏextent€as€if€herein€repeated,€all€rights,€powers,€duties,€privileges,€and€authority€that€the€Mayor€andÏCouncil€of€the€City€of€Macon€or€the€Commission€of€Bibb€County,€or€both,€Ô_ÔñC ñhasñC ññC ñhaveñC ñÔ_Ô€under€theÏConstitution€and€general€and€local€laws€of€the€State€of€Georgia€at€the€time€of€adoption€of€this€charter,Ïexcept€as€herein€expressly€modified.€This€authority€shall€include€but€shall€not€be€limited€to€theÏauthority€to€adopt€home€rule€ordinances€and€resolutions€as€provided€in€Article€IX,€Section€II€of€theÏConstitution€of€the€State€of€Georgia.ÌÌ(c)In€addition€to€the€foregoing,€the€unified€government€shall€have€all€rights,€powers,€duties,Ïprivileges,€and€authority€herein€conferred€or€herein€enlarged,€and€such€other€rights,€powers,€duties,Ïprivileges,€and€authority€as€may€be€necessary€and€proper€for€carrying€the€same€into€execution,€andÏalso€all€rights,€powers,€duties,€privileges,€and€authority,€whether€express€or€implied,€that€may€be€nowÏvested€in€or€hereafter€granted€to€counties€or€municipal€corporations,€or€both,€by€the€Constitution€andÏlaws€of€the€State€of€Georgia,€including€the€powers€vested€in€the€unified€government€by€this€charter.ÌÌ(d)The€unified€government,€in€addition€to€the€rights,€duties,€powers,€privileges,€and€authorityÏexpressly€conferred€upon€it€by€this€charter,€shall€have€the€right,€duty,€power,€privilege,€and€authorityÏto€exercise€and€enjoy€all€other€powers,€duties,€functions,€rights,€privileges,€and€immunities€necessaryÏand€proper€to€promote€or€protect€the€safety,€health,€peace,€security,€and€general€welfare€of€saidÏgovernment€and€its€inhabitants€and€to€exercise€all€implied€powers€necessary€to€carry€into€executionÏall€powers€granted€in€this€charter€as€fully€and€completely€as€if€such€powers€were€fully€enumeratedÏherein€and€to€do€and€perform€all€of€the€acts€pertaining€to€its€property,€affairs,€and€local€governmentÏwhich€are€necessary€or€proper€in€the€legitimate€exercise€of€its€corporate€powers€and€governmentalÏduties€and€functions.ÌÐ l+¼&* Ð(e)No€enumeration€of€any€right,€power,€privilege,€or€authority€hereinafter€made€shall€be€construedÏas€limiting€or€abolishing€any€right,€power,€privilege€or€authority€hereinabove€set€forth.ÌÌ(f)In€addition€to€and€supplementary€to€all€other€powers€which€it€may€possess,€and€by€way€ofÏillustration€and€not€of€limitation,€the€unified€government€shall€have€the€powers€specificallyÏenumerated€in€Section€8-114€of€this€charter.ÌÌòòSECTION€1-105óó.Ð $ t ÐÌTaxing€Districts.€(a)The€unified€government€shall€divide€the€county€into€two€or€more€taxing€districtsÏ(herein€called€"services€districts");€provided,€however,€at€least€one€of€such€districts€shall€be€knownÏas€the€general€services€district.€€The€general€services€district€shall€embrace€the€total€geographic€areaÏof€Bibb€County€and€shall€include€the€area€of€Payne€City€wherein€all€services€provided€in€the€generalÏservices€area€of€Macon„Bibb€shall€be€made€available€to€the€citizens€of€Payne€City€at€the€same€rateÏsuch€services€are€provided€all€citizens€of€the€general€services€area€pursuant€to€a€contract€executedÏbetween€the€governments€of€Payne€City€and€Macon„Bibb€for€the€amount€of€$1.00€for€a€period€notÏto€exceed€50€years,€as€provided€in€Article€IX,€Section€III,€Paragraph€I€of€the€Constitution€of€the€StateÏof€Georgia.€€In€addition,€the€Board€of€Commissioners€shall€establish€at€least€one€or€more€urbanÏservices€districts€which€shall€embrace€such€territory€or€territories€for€which€provision€is€made€by€theÏBoard€for€additional€or€higher€levels€of€services€than€are€provided€uniformly€throughout€the€territoryÏof€the€unified€government.ÌÌ(b)Taxes€shall€be€assessed,€levied,€and€collected€in€accordance€with€the€kind,€character,€type,€degree,Ïand€level€of€services€provided€by€the€government€within€said€service€districts,€and€the€rate€andÏmanner€of€taxation€may€vary€in€any€one€district€from€that€in€another€or€other€districts.ÌÌ(c)The€unified€government€may€also€establish€special€services€districts€which€shall€embrace€suchÏterritory€or€territories€for€which€provision€is€made€by€the€Board€for€additional€or€higher€levels€ofÏservices€provided€by€the€unified€government.ÌÌ(d)In€the€establishment€of€the€first€urban€services€district€or€districts,€the€Board€shall€hold€one€orÏmore€public€hearings€thereon€at€which€all€interested€persons€affected€thereby€shall€have€anÏopportunity€to€be€heard.€€Notice€of€the€time,€place,€and€date€of€such€hearings€shall€be€published€inÏthe€official€legal€organ€of€Macon„Bibb€at€least€once€a€week€during€the€two€weeks€immediatelyÏpreceding€the€date€of€hearing.ÌÌ(e)In€the€establishment€of€special€services€districts,€the€Board€shall€hold€one€or€more€public€hearingsÏthereon€at€which€all€interested€persons€affected€thereby€shall€have€an€opportunity€to€be€heard.€€NoticeÏof€the€time,€place,€and€date€of€such€hearings€shall€be€published€in€the€official€legal€organ€of€Macon„¼Bibb€at€least€once€a€week€during€the€two€weeks€immediately€preceding€the€date€of€hearing.ÌÌ(f)The€unified€government€is€hereby€empowered€to€exercise€and€provide€within€the€general€servicesÏdistrict€and€within€any€urban€and€special€services€district€established€by€this€charter€or€by€ordinanceÐ h+¸&* Ðof€the€Board€those€powers,€functions,€and€services€which€have€theretofore€been€exercised€andÏprovided€by€Bibb€County€or€the€City€of€Macon,€or€both;€all€powers,€functions,€and€servicesÏauthorized€by€this€charter€and€any€amendments€thereto;€and€all€powers,€functions,€and€services€whichÏcounties€or€municipal€corporations,€or€both,€are€now€or€are€hereafter€authorized€to€exercise€underÏthe€Constitution€and€laws€of€the€State€of€Georgia.ÌÌ(g)The€unified€government€shall€perform€within€the€general€services€district€those€governmentalÏduties,€functions,€and€services€which€are€generally€available€and€accessible€to€all€residentsÏthroughout€the€total€area€of€said€government.ÌÌ(h)The€unified€government€shall€perform€within€its€urban€services€districts€those€additional,€moreÏcomprehensive€and€intensive,€and€higher€levels€of€governmental€duties,€functions,€and€servicesÏwhich€benefit€primarily€the€residents€of€such€urban€services€districts.ÌÌ(i)The€unified€government€shall€perform€within€its€special€services€districts€those€additionallyÏselected,€more€comprehensive,€intensive,€and€higher€levels€of€governmental€duties,€functions,€andÏservices€which€benefit€primarily€the€residents€of€such€special€services€districts.ÌÌ(j)Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€this€charter,€urban€and€special€services€districts€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment€shall€be€created,€expanded,€merged,€consolidated,€or€reduced€only€by€an€ordinance€dulyÏadopted€by€the€Board€under€such€general€rules,€procedures,€regulations,€requirements,€andÏspecifications€as€established€by€the€Board;€provided,€however,€no€new€urban€or€special€serviceÏdistrict€shall€be€created€or€existing€urban€or€special€services€district€expanded,€abolished,€merged,Ïconsolidated,€or€reduced€without€providing€an€opportunity€for€interested€persons€to€be€heard€byÏpublishing€a€notice€of€a€public€hearing€on€the€proposed€expansion,€consolidation,€reduction,€orÏcreation€of€an€urban€or€special€services€district€in€the€official€legal€organ€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,Ïat€least€once€a€week€during€the€two€weeks€immediately€preceding€the€date€of€hearing.€€Such€rulesÏand€regulations€shall€set€forth€the€manner€and€method€for€the€creation€of€new€urban€and€specialÏservices€districts;€the€expansion,€consolidation,€reduction,€or€merger€of€existing€urban€or€specialÏservices€districts;€requirements€for€defining€functions€and€policies€for€rendering€services;€changesÏin€levels€of€services€within€existing€services€districts;€the€transfer€of€territory€from€one€servicesÏdistrict€to€another;€requirements€for€defining€boundaries€of€services€districts;€procedures€for€theÏexpansion,€reduction,€or€consolidation€of€existing€services€districts;€and€requirements€for€definingÏboundaries€of€services€districts.ÌÌ(k)The€unified€government€is€empowered€to€create€new€services€and€eliminate€existing€services€byÏthe€same€procedures€and€methods€stated€above.ÌÌ(l)Citizens€of€any€area€in€the€county€may€request€additional€services€by€petitioning€the€unifiedÏgovernment€according€to€the€rules,€procedures,€and€guidelines€established€by€the€unified€government.€ÏThe€unified€government€will€hold€public€hearings€as€outlined€in€the€services€district€modificationÏprocedure€stated€above€and€will€consider€all€comments€received€prior€to€reaching€a€final€decision.ÌÐ h+¸&* ÐòòSECTION€1-106óó.Ð ° ÐÌConstruction.€The€powers€of€the€unified€government€shall€be€construed€liberally€in€favor€of€theÏunified€government.€€The€specific€mention€or€failure€to€mention€particular€powers€in€this€charterÏshall€not€be€construed€as€limiting€in€any€way€the€general€powers€of€the€unified€government€asÏprovided€in€this€article.€€It€is€the€intention€hereof€to€grant€to€the€unified€government€full€power€andÏright€to€exercise€all€governmental€authority€authorized€by€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€GeorgiaÏwhich€is€necessary€for€the€effective€operation€and€conduct€of€the€unified€government€within€itsÏterritory€and€for€the€conduct€of€all€of€its€affairs.€ÌÌà@óó%ìàARTICLE€IIˆÌà@¶¶!ìàLEGISLATIVE€ARTICLEˆÌà@ë ë ìàCHAPTER€1€-€The€Board€of€CommissionersˆÌÌòòSECTION€2-101óó.Ð ˜è  ÐÌÔ_ÔName€and€Composition.€There€is€hereby€created€the€ð ðBoard€of€Commissioners€of€Macon„Bibb,ÏGeorgia,"ò ò€ó ó(hereinafter€ð ðBoardðð).€ò ò€ó óMembership€on€the€Board€is€a€part-time€position.€€The€Board€shallÐ \¬ Ðconsist€of€nine€members€elected€from€districts€as€provided€in€Section€6-201€of€this€charter.ò òÐ Lœ Ðó óÌòòSECTION€2-102óó.Ð $t ÐÌTerm€of€Office;€Qualifications;€Disqualifications.€(a)The€term€of€office€of€all€members€of€the€BoardÏof€Commissioners€shall€be€four€years€with€members€serving€staggered€terms€and€until€theirÏsuccessors€are€elected€and€qualified,€except€that€a€Commissioner€appointed€to€fill€a€vacancy€shallÏserve€only€for€the€balance€of€the€unexpired€term€as€provided€in€section€2„106€of€this€charter.€ÏInitially,€€five€members€will€serve€two€year€terms€and€four€members€will€serve€four€year€terms€toÏprovide€for€staggered€terms.€€Thereafter,€all€members€shall€be€elected€for€four€year€terms.ò ò€€ó óAll€termsÐ ˜è Ðof€office€following€the€initial€terms€shall€commence€at€the€first€regular€meeting€in€January€nextÏfollowing€the€election.ÌÌ(b)No€person€shall€be€eligible€for€election€or€appointment€to€the€Board€unless€such€person,€on€orÏbefore€the€date€of€election€or€appointment,€shall€have€attained€the€age€of€21€years,€shall€be€a€qualifiedÏvoter€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€shall€have€resided€within€the€county€for€one€year€and€within€theÏterritorial€limits€of€the€district€from€which€elected€on€the€date€of€qualifying€for€election.€€A€memberÏof€the€Board€shall€continue€to€reside€within€the€district€from€which€elected€during€such€member'sÏterm€of€office.ÌÌ(c)No€member€of€the€Board,€during€that€member's€term€of€office,€shall€hold€any€other€federal,€state,Ïor€local€government€elective€office.ÌÌ(d)€Any€Commissioner€who€has€been€elected€for€three€full€consecutive€four-year€terms€of€officeÏunder€the€provisions€of€this€charter€shall€not€be€eligible€to€be€elected€for€the€succeeding€term.ò òó óÐ p+À&* ЇòòSECTION€2-103óó.Ð ° ÐÌSalary€and€Expenses.€(a)The€salary€of€each€Commissioner€shall€be€$12,000€per€year,€payable€inÏequal€monthly€installments.ÌÌ(b)In€addition€to€the€salary,€Commissioners€shall€be€reimbursed€for€all€direct€expenses€incurred€inÏcarrying€out€the€duties€and€responsibilities€of€the€unified€government.ÌÌ(c)The€salary€and€expenses€of€members€of€the€Board€may€be€changed€by€ordinance,€subject€to€theÏfollowing€conditions:ÌÌÓ! ÿÿ°ÿÿ°†ðH!!Óà0  à(1)No€action€to€increase€the€salary€or€expenses€of€Commissioners€shall€be€taken€until€noticeÏof€intent€to€take€the€action€has€been€published€in€the€official€legal€organ€of€Macon„Bibb€atÏleast€once€a€week€for€three€successive€weeks€immediately€preceding€the€week€during€whichÏthe€action€is€taken.Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Any€action€to€increase€the€salary€of€Commissioners€shall€not€become€effective€until€theÏdate€of€commencement€of€the€terms€of€those€Commissioners€elected€at€the€next€regularÏelection€following€such€action.Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)No€action€to€increase€the€salary€of€Commissioners€shall€be€taken€during€the€period€betweenÏthe€date€when€candidates€for€election€to€the€Board€may€first€qualify€as€candidates€and€the€dateÏwhen€members€of€the€Board€take€office€following€their€election.Ð (#(# Ðò òó óÌòòSECTION€2-104óó.Ð Ð  ÐÌOrganization;€Oath;€Rules;€Quorum;€Meetings;€Records;€Chairman€of€the€Board€of€Commissioners.Ï(a)The€Board€€shall€meet€for€organization€and€swearing-in€purposes€at€their€first€regular€meeting.€ÏAt€this€meeting,€the€newly€elected€or€reelected€Commissioners€shall€each€take€the€following€oath€ofÏoffice,€to€be€administered€by€the€judge€of€the€probate€court:ÌÌÓ ÿÿ° ÿÿ°àÓà0   à"I€do€solemnly€swear€(or€affirm)€that€I€will€well€and€truly€perform€the€duties€of€Commissioner€ofÏMacon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€that€I€will€support€and€defend€the€charter€thereof,€as€well€as€theÏConstitution€and€laws€of€the€State€of€Georgia€and€of€the€United€States€of€America,€so€help€meÏGod."Ð  (# (# ÐÌ(b)The€Board,€by€majority€vote,€shall€adopt€rules€of€procedure€governing€the€transaction€of€itsÏbusiness€consistent€with€the€provisions€of€this€charter,€shall€adopt€by€ordinance€the€time,€date,€andÏplace€for€regular€meetings,€which€will€be€held€at€least€twice€monthly,€and€shall€provide€for€keepingÏminutes€of€its€proceedings€by€the€Chief€Operating€Officer€as€provided€in€Section€4-102€of€thisÏcharter.ÌÌ(c)At€its€first€organization€meeting,€the€Board€shall€select€the€dates€for€when€it€will€hold€its€regularÐ h+¸&* Ðtwice€monthly„meetings.ÌÌ(d)Six€of€the€nine€members€of€the€Board€€shall€constitute€a€quorum€for€the€transaction€of€business;Ïhowever,€a€smaller€number€may€adjourn€from€time€to€time.€€ÌÌ(e)Special€meetings€of€the€Board€may€be€called€by€the€Mayor€or€by€any€five€Commissioners€uponÏno€less€than€24€hours'€written€notice€to€each€member€served€personally€or€left€at€the€usual€place€ofÏbusiness€or€residence€of€such€member.€€Such€notice€of€a€special€meeting€may€be€waived€in€writingÏeither€before€or€after€the€meeting.€€Subject€to€subsection€(d)€of€Code€Section€50-14-1€of€theÏO.C.G.A.,€special€meetings€may€be€held€at€any€time€without€notice€to€all€Commissioners,€uponÏattendance€at€such€meeting€by€all€members€of€the€Board,€or€by€waiver€of€notice€of€those€not€inÏattendance.ÌÌ(f)All€meetings€of€the€Board,€except€for€those€exceptions€provided€for€in€general€law,€shall€be€publicÏand€any€citizen€shall€have€access€to€the€minutes€and€records€thereof€at€reasonable€times.ÌÌ(g)At€its€first€meeting€in€January€of€each€year,€a€Chairman€of€the€Board€shall€be€elected€by€and€fromÏthe€membership€of€the€Board€of€Commissioners€to€serve€for€a€term€of€one€year.€€Such€an€electionÏshall€take€place€at€the€first€regular€meeting€of€the€Board€each€year€and€whenever€necessary€to€fill€aÏvacancy€in€the€office.€€A€Commissioner€elected€to€fill€a€vacancy€shall€only€serve€as€such€until€anÏelection€for€a€new€Chairman€of€the€Board€is€held€the€following€year.ÌÌò òó ó(h)The€Chairman€of€the€Board€shall€preside€over€meetings.€€In€the€event€that€the€Mayor€isÐ øH Ðtemporarily€absent€or€otherwise€unable€to€perform€the€duties€of€office€the€Chairman€of€the€BoardÏshall€discharge€the€duties€of€Mayor€until€either€the€return€of€the€Mayor€or€the€election€of€a€newÏMayor.€€While€serving€as€the€Mayor,€the€Chairman€of€the€Board€shall€have€the€same€powers€as€aÏMayor€and€not€those€of€a€Commissioner.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€2-105óó.Ð €Ð ÐÌPowers.€(a)All€legislative€powers€of€the€unified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgiaò ò,ó ó€including€anyÐ X ¨ Ðsuch€powers€which€may€hereafter€be€conferred€by€law€upon€said€government,€shall€be€vestedÏexclusively€in€and€exercised€by€the€Board€in€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€this€charter.ÌÌ(b)In€addition€to€its€legislative€powers,€the€Board€shall€specifically€have€the€power€to:ÌÌÓ ÿÿ°ÿÿ°ðÓà0  à(1)Approve,€€€reject,€or€amend€the€budget;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Approve€or€reject€recommendations€concerning€the€appointments€of€the€Chief€OperatingÏOfficer,€Attorney,€Auditor,€Police€Chief,€and€Fire€Chief;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Remove€from€office€the€Chief€Operating€Officer,€Attorney,€Auditor,€Police€Chief€€and€FireÏChief€by€majority€vote€of€the€entire€Board;€andÐl+¼&*(#(# Їà0  à(4)Override€the€Mayorððs€veto€with€the€affirmative€vote€of€six€Commissioners.Ð (#(# ÐÌò òó ó(c)In€the€exercise€of€its€powers,€the€Board€shall€adopt€and€provide€for€the€execution€of€suchÐ ˆØ Ðordinances,€resolutions,€rules,€and€regulations,€not€inconsistent€with€this€charter,€as€may€be€necessaryÏor€proper€for€the€purpose€of€carrying€into€effect€the€powers€conferred€by€this€charter€and€for€theÏpromotion€and€protection€of€the€safety,€health,€peace,€security,€and€general€welfare€of€the€inhabitantsÏof€the€unified€government€and€may€enforce€such€ordinances,€resolutions,€rules,€and€regulations€byÏimposing€penalties€for€violations€thereof,€as€prescribed€by€ordinance,€by€a€fine€not€exceedingÏ$1,000.00€or€by€imprisonment€for€a€period€not€exceeding€six€months,€or€both.ÌÌ(d)Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€the€Constitution,€general€or€local€law,€or€this€charter,€the€BoardÏmay€by€ordinance€create,€change,€alter,€combine,€abolish,€consolidate,€and€redefine€the€manner€ofÏappointment,€membership,€powers,€and€duties€of€bureaus,€boards,€commissions,€departments,Ïdivisions,€authorities,€offices,€and€agencies€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€including€positions€of€publicÏemployment,€and€may€transfer€and€delete€functions€and€assign€additional€functions€to€any€bureaus,Ïoffices,€agencies,€departments,€divisions,€boards,€authorities,€commissions,€and€positions€of€publicÏemployment€existing€under€this€charter.€€The€Board€may€by€ordinance€transfer€all€the€assets,Ïliabilities,€and€obligations€thereof€to€a€department,€a€division,€or€other€unit€of€a€department€of€theÏunified€government,€which€shall€have€the€power,€and€its€duty€shall€be,€to€perform€and€exercise€allÏthe€functions€and€powers€theretofore€performed€and€exercised€by€such€board,€commission,€authority,Ïdivision,€agency,€bureau,€office,€department,€or€position€of€public€employment.ÌÌ(e)Subsection€(d)€of€Section€2-105€of€this€charter€shall€not€apply€to€any€authorities€or€boards€whichÏwere€created€by€either€a€local€constitutional€amendment€or€by€a€local€Act€of€the€General€Assembly.ÌÌ(f)The€Board€shall€have€the€power€to€conduct€or€cause€to€be€conducted€inquiries€and€investigationsÏof€the€operations€of€any€office,€department,€or€agency€or€the€conduct€of€any€officer€or€employeeÏthereof€administering€the€affairs€of€the€unified€government.€€In€conducting€inquiries€andÏinvestigations,€the€Board€shall€have€the€right€to€administer€oaths;€subpoena€witnesses,€documents,Ïrecords,€or€other€evidence;€take€testimony;€and€require€the€production€of€evidence.€€The€conduct€ofÏproceedings€at€Board€inquiries€and€investigations€shall€be€subject€to€such€rules€and€regulations€asÏthe€Board€may€prescribe€by€general€ordinance.ÌÌ(g)The€Board€shall€provide€for€the€form€of€oaths€and€the€amount€and€condition€of€surety€bonds€asÏmay€be€required€of€any€officer€or€employee€of€the€unified€government.ÌÌ(h)The€Board€shall€have€and€exercise€such€other€powers€as€conferred€upon€it€by€this€charter€and€theÏlaws€of€Georgia.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€2-106óó.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌFilling€of€Vacancies.€(a)In€the€event€that€the€office€of€a€member€of€the€Board€of€CommissionersÏshall€become€vacant€by€reason€of€death,€resignation,€or€any€other€cause,€and€the€term€shall€expire€inÐ h+¸&* Ðless€than€two€years,€the€remaining€members€of€the€Board€shall€appoint€a€replacement€from€withinÏthe€district€without€a€representative€to€fulfill€the€unexpired€term.€€Any€individual€so€appointed€mustÏhave€the€same€qualifications€required€for€election€to€the€office.ÌÌ(b)If€the€term€of€the€vacant€Board€position€will€continue€for€more€than€two€years,€a€special€electionÏshall€be€held€as€provided€in€this€charter€and€in€general€state€law€to€elect€a€new€member€of€the€BoardÏto€serve€for€the€remainder€of€the€term.€ÌÌà@  ìàCHAPTER€2€-€Legislative€ProcedureˆÌÌòòSECTION€2-201óó.Ð è 8  ÐÌLegislation€by€Ordinance.€Every€official€act€of€the€Board€which€is€to€have€the€force€and€effect€of€lawÏshall€be€by€ordinance€and€shall€begin€with€the€words:€€"The€Board€of€Commissioners€of€Macon„¼Bibb,€Georgia,€hereby€ordains."€€All€other€acts€of€the€Board€shall€be€by€resolution€or€shall€take€suchÏother€form€as€prescribed€by€its€rules.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-202óó.Ð \¬ ÐÌIntroduction,€Consideration,€and€Passage€of€Ordinances€and€Resolutions.€(a)Every€proposedÏordinance€and€every€amendment€shall€contain€not€more€than€one€subject€which€shall€be€clearlyÏexpressed€in€its€title.ÌÌ(b)Every€proposed€ordinance€and€every€amendment€shall€be€introduced€in€writing.ÌÌ(c)Prior€to€the€introduction€of€any€ordinance,€copies€of€it€shall€be€prepared€by€the€Chief€OperatingÏOfficer€and€distributed€to€each€member€of€the€Board€and€to€the€Attorney.€€It€shall€be€the€duty€of€theÏAttorney€to€review€the€draftsmanship€and€impact€of€each€ordinance.€€Within€seven€days€after€aÏproposed€ordinance€has€been€introduced,€the€Chief€Operating€Officer€shall€publish€in€a€newspaperÏof€general€circulation€designated€as€the€legal€organ€of€the€unified€government€a€brief€description€ofÏthe€subject€and€purpose€of€the€ordinance€and€notice€of€the€availability€of€the€proposed€ordinance€forÏpublic€inspection€in€the€office€of€the€Chief€Operating€Officer.ÌÌ(d)A€summary€of€every€proposed€ordinance€shall€be€read€upon€first€introduction€and€by€title€at€theÏnext€regular€meeting€not€less€than€seven€days€following€the€meeting€of€its€introduction.€€In€no€eventÏhowever,€except€for€emergency€ordinances,€may€any€ordinance€be€voted€on€in€less€than€seven€daysÏafter€it€is€introduced.ÌÌ(e)The€adoption€of€any€ordinance€shall€be€by€the€affirmative€vote€of€at€least€five€of€the€nineÏCommissioners.ÌÌ(f)The€passage€of€all€ordinances€shall€be€contingent€upon€the€recording€of€the€"ayes"€and€"nays"€ofÏeach€Commissioner,€and€the€names€of€the€Commissioners€voting€for€and€against€each€proposedÐ h+¸&* Ðordinance€or€amendment,€those€abstaining,€and€those€absent€shall€be€entered€upon€the€minutes€of€theÏproceedings€of€the€Board.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-203óó.Ð tÄ ÐÌEmergency€Ordinances.€To€meet€a€public€emergency€threatening€life,€health,€property,€or€publicÏsafety,€the€Board€may€adopt€emergency€ordinances;€provided,€however,€that€such€ordinances€mayÏnot€be€enacted€to€levy€taxes;€to€grant,€renew,€or€extend€a€franchise;€to€regulate€the€rate€charged€forÏany€public€utility€or€service;€or€to€authorize€the€borrowing€of€money€unless€it€shall€be€repaid€in€30Ïdays€or€less.€€An€emergency€ordinance€shall€be€in€the€form€prescribed€for€ordinances€generally,Ïexcept€that€it€shall€be€plainly€designated€as€an€emergency€ordinance€and€shall€contain€a€declarationÏstating€what€emergency€exists.€€An€emergency€ordinance€may€be€adopted€with€or€withoutÏamendment€or€it€may€be€rejected€at€the€meeting€at€which€it€is€introduced,€but€the€affirmative€voteÏof€at€least€six€of€the€nine€members€of€the€Board€shall€be€required€for€adoption.€€An€emergencyÏordinance€shall€become€effective€upon€adoption€or€at€such€later€time€as€it€may€specify.€€EveryÏemergency€ordinance€shall€automatically€stand€repealed€on€the€sixteenth€day€following€the€date€onÏwhich€it€was€adopted;€but€if€the€emergency€still€exists,€this€shall€not€prevent€reenactment€of€theÏordinance€in€the€manner€specified€in€this€section.€€An€emergency€ordinance€may€also€be€repealed€byÏadoption€of€a€repealing€ordinance€in€the€same€manner€specified€in€this€section€for€adoption€ofÏemergency€ordinances.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-204óó.Ð  \ ÐÌSubmission€of€Ordinances€to€Mayor;€Veto.€Every€ordinance€or€resolution€adopted€by€the€Board€shallÏbe€certified€by€the€Chief€Operating€Officer€and€presented€to€the€Mayor€within€two€business€daysÏfollowing€its€adoption.€€The€Mayor€shall€approve€or€veto€the€ordinance€or€resolution€within€tenÏbusiness€days€after€adoption,€and€no€ordinance€or€resolution€shall€become€effective€without€his€orÏher€approval€except€as€herein€provided.€€If€the€Mayor€vetoes€an€ordinance€or€resolution,€he€or€sheÏshall€within€two€business€days€following€such€veto€return€the€ordinance€or€resolution€to€the€ChiefÏOperating€Officer€with€a€written€statement€of€the€reasons€for€the€veto.€€The€Chief€Operating€OfficerÏshall€record€the€date€of€the€receipt€of€the€vetoed€ordinance€or€resolution€and€thereupon€shall€notifyÏthe€Board€members€of€such€veto.€€If€the€Board€shall€pass€the€ordinance€or€resolution€by€a€vote€ofò ò€ó ósixÐ D!” Ðof€the€nine€members€at€the€meeting€next€held€after€the€ordinance€or€resolution€has€been€returned€withÏthe€Mayor's€veto,€it€shall€become€law€without€his€or€her€approval.€€In€the€event€the€Mayor€does€notÏapprove€or€veto€the€ordinance€or€resolution€within€the€time€required,€it€shall€become€law€without€hisÏor€her€approval.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-205óó.Ð Ð& "% ÐÌAuthentication;€Recording;€Effective€Date.€All€ordinances€which€have€become€law€shall€immediatelyÏbe€deposited€in€the€official€archives€of€the€Chief€Operating€Officer.€€The€Chief€Operating€OfficerÏshall€note€on€the€face€of€the€ordinance€the€date€and€time€it€has€become€law€and€the€ordinance€shallÏbecome€effective€at€noon€on€the€day€following€its€becoming€law€or€at€such€later€time€as€it€mayÐ l+¼&* Ðspecify.€€The€Chief€Operating€Officer€shall€authenticate€by€his€or€her€signature€each€ordinance€whichÏhas€become€law.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-206óó.Ð tÄ ÐÌCodes€of€Technical€Regulations.€(a)The€Board€may€adopt€any€standard€code€of€technical€regulationsÏby€reference€thereto€in€an€adopting€ordinance.€€The€procedure€and€requirements€governing€suchÏadopting€ordinance€shall€be€prescribed€for€ordinances€generally€except€that:ÌÌà0  à(1)The€requirements€of€subsection€(c)€of€Section€2-202€of€this€charter€for€distribution€ofÏcopies€of€the€ordinance€to€each€Commissioner€and€to€the€Attorney€shall€be€construed€toÏinclude€copies€of€the€code€of€technical€regulations€which€shall€be€maintained€in€the€ChiefÏOperating€Officerððs€office,€as€well€as€the€adopting€ordinance;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)A€copy€of€each€adopted€code€of€technical€regulations,€as€well€as€the€adopting€ordinance,Ïshall€be€authenticated€and€recorded€by€the€Chief€Operating€Officer€as€provided€in€SectionÏ2-205€of€this€charter.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)Copies€of€any€adopted€code€of€technical€regulations€shall€be€made€available€by€the€ChiefÏOperating€Officer€for€public€inspection€and€for€purchase€at€a€reasonable€price€as€fixed€by€the€Board.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-207óó.Ð  \ ÐÌCodification€and€Printing€of€Ordinances.€(a)The€Board€shall,€within€two€years€of€the€effective€dateÏof€this€charter,€provide€for€the€preparation€of€a€general€codification€of€all€ordinances€of€a€general€orÏpermanent€nature.€Such€code€shall€be€adopted€by€the€Board€by€ordinance€and€shall€be€publishedÏpromptly€in€loose-leaf€form,€together€with€all€amendments€thereto,€this€charter,€any€amendmentsÏhereto,€and€such€codes€of€technical€regulations€and€other€rules€and€regulations€as€the€Board€mayÏspecify.€€This€compilation€shall€be€known€and€cited€officially€as€the€"Code€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia."ÏAs€determined€by€the€Board,€copies€of€the€code€shall€be€furnished€to€officers,€departments,€andÏagencies€of€the€unified€government;€placed€in€libraries€and€public€offices€for€public€reference;€andÏmade€available€for€purchase€by€the€public€at€a€reasonable€price.ÌÌ(b)Following€publication€of€the€first€Code€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€from€time€to€timeÏthereafter,€the€ordinances€and€charter€amendments€shall€be€printed€in€substantially€the€same€style€asÏthe€code€then€in€effect€and€shall€be€suitable€in€form€for€integration€therein.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-208óó.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌPrima-Facie€Evidence.€A€record€or€entry€made€by€the€Chief€Operating€Officer€or€a€copy€of€suchÏrecord€or€entry,€duly€certified€by€the€Chief€Operating€Officer,€shall€be€prima-facie€evidence€of€theÏterms€of€every€ordinance€and€its€due€publication.€ÌÐ h+¸&* Ðà@¨ ¨ ìàCHAPTER€3€-€Ethics€and€Prohibited€PracticesˆÌÌòòSECTION€2-301óó.Ð ˆØ ÐÌConflict€of€Interest.€No€elected€official,€appointed€officer,€or€employee€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€orÏany€agency€or€political€entity€to€which€this€charter€applies€shall€knowingly:ÌÌà0  à(1)Engage€in€any€business€or€transaction€in€which€the€person€has€a€financial€interest€whichÏis€incompatible€with€the€proper€discharge€of€official€duties;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Disclose€confidential€information€concerning€the€property,€government,€or€affairs€of€theÏgovernmental€body€by€which€such€person€is€engaged€or€is€a€member€of€without€proper€legalÏauthorization€or€use€that€information€to€advance€the€financial€or€other€private€interest€of€suchÏperson€or€others;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Accept€any€gift€that€has€a€value€of€$100.00€or€more€from€any€person,€firm,€or€corporationÏwhich€to€his€or€her€knowledge€is€interested,€directly€or€indirectly,€in€business€dealings€with€theÏgovernmental€body€he€or€she€is€a€member€of€or€by€which€such€person€is€engaged;€provided,Ïhowever,€that€an€elected€official€who€is€a€candidate€for€public€office€may€accept€campaignÏcontributions€and€services€in€connection€with€any€campaign;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)Represent€private€interests€other€than€his€or€her€own€in€any€action€or€proceeding€againstÏMacon„Bibb,€Georgia,€or€any€portion€of€its€government;€orÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)Vote€or€otherwise€actively€participate€in€the€negotiation€or€the€making€of€any€contractÏbetween€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€any€business€or€entity€in€which€he€or€she€has€a€financialÏinterest.Ð (#(# ÐÌòòSECTION€2-302óó.Ð €Ð ÐÌDisclosure.€Any€elected€official,€appointed€officer,€or€employee€of€the€unified€government€or€of€anyÏboard,€commission,€authority,€or€agency€thereof€who€shall€have€any€private€financial€interest,€directÏor€indirect,€in€any€contract€or€matter€pending€before€or€within€any€department€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment€shall€disclose€such€private€interest€to€the€Board.€€Any€Commissioner€who€has€a€privateÏinterest€in€any€matter€pending€before€the€Board€shall€disclose€such€private€interest€and€suchÏdisclosure€shall€be€entered€on€the€records€of€the€Board,€and€he€or€she€shall€disqualify€himself€orÏherself€from€participating€in€any€decision€or€vote€relating€thereto.€€Any€elected€official,€appointedÏofficer,€or€employee€of€any€board,€commission,€authority,€or€agency€of€the€unified€government€whoÏshall€have€any€private€financial€interest,€direct€or€indirect,€in€any€contract€or€matter€pending€beforeÏor€within€such€entity,€shall€disclose€such€private€interest€to€the€Board.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-303óó.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐTestimony€of€Public€Officials€Relating€to€Public€Affairs.€Any€officer€or€employee€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment€or€of€any€board,€commission,€authority,€or€agency€thereof€who€is€duly€and€properlyÏcalled€as€a€witness€before€any€unified€government,€state,€or€federal€judicial€or€administrative€tribunal,Ïand€who€shall€before€such€tribunal€fail€to€answer€any€proper€question€concerning€the€performanceÏof€his€or€her€official€duties€shall€be€guilty€of€a€violation€of€this€charter.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-304óó.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌContracts€Voidable€and€Rescindable.€Any€contract€between€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€or€any€board,Ïcommission,€authority,€agency,€or€entity€thereof€made€in€violation€of€the€provisions€of€this€charterÏshall€be€voidable€or€rescindable€at€the€option€of€the€Board€at€any€time€if€any€elected€official,Ïappointed€officer,€or€employee€of€such€unified€government€or€board,€commission,€authority,€orÏagency€thereof€has€any€interest€in€such€contract€and€does€not€disclose€such€interest€in€accordanceÏwith€Section€2-302€of€this€charter.ÌÌòòSECTION€2-305óó.Ð „Ô  ÐÌHearings€and€Determinations;€Penalties€for€Violation.€€(a)€€Upon€the€sworn€complaint€of€any€personÏalleging€facts€which€if€true€would€constitute€a€violation€of€this€charter,€the€Board€may€conduct€aÏpublic€hearing€at€which€the€accused€shall€be€given€an€opportunity€to€be€heard,€either€personally€orÏthrough€counsel.€€At€the€conclusion€of€such€hearing,€the€Board€shall,€in€written€findings€of€fact€andÏconclusions€based€thereon,€make€a€determination€concerning€the€propriety€of€the€conduct€of€theÏofficial€or€employee€in€question.ÌÌ(b)Any€officer€or€employee€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€or€of€any€board,€commission,€authority,€orÏagency€thereof€who€is€found€to€have€knowingly€concealed€his€or€her€personal€financial€interest€orÏwho€is€found€to€have€knowingly€violated€any€of€the€requirements€of€this€charter€shall€be€deemedÏguilty€of€malfeasance€in€office€or€position.€€If€such€decision€is€upheld€after€all€reviews€and€repealsÏprovided€by€the€merit€system€of€the€unified€government€have€been€exhausted,€the€officer€orÏemployee€shall€be€subject€to€such€punishment€as€may€be€deemed€appropriate€by€the€Board€and€whichÏmay€include€forfeiture€of€office€or€position.ÌÌ(c)Any€officer€or€employee€of€the€unified€government€or€of€any€board,€commission,€authority,€orÏagency€thereof€who€shall€forfeit€his€or€her€office€or€position€as€described€in€subsection€(b)€aboveÏshall€be€ineligible€for€appointment€or€election€to€or€employment€in€a€position€in€the€unifiedÏgovernment€or€of€any€board,€commission,€authority,€or€agency€thereof€for€a€period€of€three€yearsÏthereafter.€ÌÌà@ÔÔ%ìàARTICLE€IIIˆÌà@xx(ìàMAYORˆÌÌòòSECTION€3-101óó.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐElection;€Term.€There€is€hereby€created€the€office€of€"Mayor€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia"€(referred€toÏat€times€in€this€charter€as€the€"Mayor").€€The€Mayor€shall€be€elected€at„large€by€the€voters€€of€theÏunified€government€and€shall€serve€for€a€term€of€four€years€and€until€a€successor€is€elected€andÏqualified.€€Any€Mayor€who€has€been€elected€for€three€full€consecutive€four-year€terms€of€office€underÏthe€provisions€of€this€charter€shall€not€be€eligible€to€be€elected€for€the€succeeding€term.ÌÌòòSECTION€3-102óó.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌQualifications€of€Office.€(a)To€be€eligible€for€election€as€Mayor,€a€person€on€the€date€of€electionÏmust:ÌÌà0  à(1)Have€attained€the€age€of€21€years;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Have€resided€in€the€territory€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€for€at€least€one€year€immediatelyÏpreceding€the€date€of€election€and€must€continue€such€residence€therein€during€the€term€ofÏoffice;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Be€a€registered€voter€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)Meet€any€other€requirements€as€established€by€law.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)No€person€elected€as€Mayor€shall,€during€that€person's€term€of€office,€hold€any€other€federal,Ïstate,€or€local€government€office.ÌÌòòSECTION€3-103óó.Ð Ð  ÐÌCompensation.€(a)The€Mayor€shall€receive€as€compensation€for€the€services€of€this€office€an€annualÏsalary€of€$125,000,€payable€in€equal€monthly€installments.ÌÌ(b)In€addition€to€the€salary,€the€Mayor€shall€be€reimbursed€for€all€direct€expenses€incurred€inÏcarrying€out€the€duties€and€responsibilities€of€the€unified€government.ÌÌ(c)The€salary€and€expenses€of€members€of€the€Mayor€may€be€changed€by€ordinance,€subject€to€theÏfollowing€conditions:ÌÌà0  à(1)No€action€to€increase€the€salary€or€expenses€of€the€Mayor€shall€be€taken€until€notice€ofÏintent€to€take€the€action€has€been€published€in€the€official€legal€organ€of€Macon„Bibb€at€leastÏonce€a€week€for€three€successive€weeks€immediately€preceding€the€week€during€which€theÏaction€is€taken;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Any€action€to€increase€the€salary€of€the€Mayor€shall€not€become€effective€until€the€date€ofÏcommencement€of€the€term€of€the€Mayor€elected€at€the€next€regular€election€following€suchÏaction;€andÐh+¸&*(#(# Їà0  à(3)No€action€to€increase€the€salary€of€the€Mayor€shall€be€taken€during€the€period€between€theÏdate€when€candidates€for€election€to€the€office€of€Mayor€may€first€qualify€as€candidates€andÏthe€date€when€the€newly€elected€Mayor€takes€office€following€the€election.Ð (#(# ÐÌò òó óòòSECTION€3-104óó.Ð `° ÐÌPowers€and€Duties.€The€Mayor€shall€have€the€powers€and€duties€to:ÌÌ(a)Serve€as€the€official€representative€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€including€serving€as€the€unifiedÏgovernment's€representative€to€federal,€state,€and€local€governmental€bodies€and€officials;ÌÌ(b)Appoint€a€Chief€Operating€Officer,€who€will€be€confirmed€by€a€majority€of€the€Board.€€InitiateÏthe€process,€with€the€involvement€of€Commissioners€and€appropriate€staff,€to€search€and€screenÏcandidates€for€the€positions€of€Attorney,€Auditor,€Police€Chief€and€Fire€Chief€and€to€appointÏcandidates€for€these€positions€to€the€Board€of€Commissioners€subject€to€concurrence€of€majority€ofÏthe€entire€Board;ÌÌ(c)€Remove€the€Chief€Operating€Officer,€Attorney,€Auditor,€Police€Chief,€and€Fire€Chief€for€cause.€ÏÌ(d)€Set€the€agenda,€after€receiving€input€from€members€of€the€Board,€the€Chief€Operating€Officer,Ïand€the€public,€for€meetings€of€the€Board;€ÌÌ(e)Make€committee€appointments;ÌÌ(f)Present€the€annual€budget€and€the€capital€improvements€budget,€which€has€been€prepared€by€theÏChief€Operating€Officer€with€the€assistance€of€all€department€and€agency€heads€and€all€others€whoÏsupervise€the€implementation€of€a€budget€that€uses€funds€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€for€approval€byÏthe€Mayor,€to€the€Board€€for€approval;ò òÐ ”ä Ðó óÌ(g)Approve€or€veto€proposed€ordinances€or€resolutions€as€provided€by€this€charter;ò òÐ l¼ Ðó óÌ(h)Call€special€meetings€of€the€Board€of€Commissioners€as€provided€by€this€charter€and€by€rules€ofÏthe€Board;ÌÌ(i)Execute€all€deeds,€contracts,€and€obligations€of€the€unified€government,€provided€such€executionÏshall€be€attested€to€by€the€Chief€Operating€Officer;ÌÌ(j)Recommend€to€the€Board€the€adoption€of€such€measures€as€deemed€necessary€or€expedient;€andÌÌ(k)Perform€any€other€duties€and€exercise€any€other€powers€required€by€state€or€federal€law€orÏauthorized€by€a€duly€adopted€ordinance€that€is€not€in€conflict€with€this€charter.ÌÌò òó óÐ h+¸&* ÐòòSECTION€3-105óó.Ð ° ÐÌVoting.€The€Mayor€shall€not€be€authorized€to€vote€on€any€matter€before€the€Board.€€ÌÌòòSECTION€3-106óó.Ð `° ÐÌVacancy€in€Office€of€Mayor.€(a)€€In€the€event€that€the€office€of€Mayor€shall€become€vacant€by€reasonÏof€death,€resignation,€or€any€other€cause,€within€two€years€of€the€end€of€the€term,€the€unexpired€term€Ïshall€be€filled€by€the€Chairman€of€the€Board€of€Commissioners€who€shall€serve€as€Mayor€with€allÏpowers€of€the€Mayor€until€the€next€general€election.€€ÌÌ(b)If€the€term€of€the€Mayor€will€continue€for€more€than€two€years,€a€special€election€shall€be€heldÏas€provided€in€general€law€to€elect€a€new€Mayor€for€the€remainder€of€the€vacant€Mayorððs€termÏprovided€that€the€Chairman€of€the€Board€will€serve€as€mayor€pro€tempore€until€an€election€is€heldÏand€a€successor€is€elected€and€qualified.€ÌÌà@ÊÊ%ìàARTICLE€IVˆÌà@‘‘#ìàADMINISTRATIONˆÌà@@@ ìàCHAPTER€1€-€OfficersˆÌÌòòSECTION€4-101óó.Ð  p ÐÌò òó óChief€Operating€Officerò òó ó;€Appointment;€Qualifications;€Compensation.€There€shall€be€a€professionalÐ øH Ðmanager€who€shall€be€known€as€the€Chief€Operating€Officer€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€(hereinafterÏð ðCOOðð).€€The€Mayor€shall€recommend€candidates€to€the€Board€for€the€office€of€COO€who€shall€beÏthe€full-time€administrative€officer€of€the€unified€government.€€No€person€holding€an€elective€officeÏin€Macon„Bibb€shall€be€eligible€for€appointment€until€two€years€after€leaving€elective€office.ò ò€ó óSuchÐ ¨ø Ðrecommendations€shall€become€effective€when€confirmed€by€a€majority€vote€of€the€total€membershipÏof€the€Board.€€The€COO€shall€be€prohibited€from€engaging€in€any€political€activity,€and€the€COOÏshall€not€be€eligible€to€qualify€as€a€candidate€for€an€elective€office€in€Macon„Bibb€for€one€year€afterÏleaving€office.ò ò€€ó óThe€COO€shall€serve€at€the€pleasure€of€the€Mayor€and€may€be€removed€from€officeÐ \ ¬ Ðby€the€Mayor€for€cause.€€The€COO€need€not€be€a€resident€of€the€unified€government€at€the€time€ofÏhis€or€her€appointment€but€shall€establish€residence€therein€within€six€months€of€such€appointmentÏand€continue€to€reside€therein€throughout€such€appointment.€€The€qualifications€and€compensationÏof€the€COO€shall€be€fixed€by€the€Board€of€Commissioners.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€4-102óó.Ð è%8!$ ÐÌChief€Operating€Officer;€Powers€and€Duties.€(a)The€COO€shall€be€responsible€for:ÌÌà0  à(1)The€management€and€coordination€of€the€operations€and€activities€of€the€variousÏdepartments€and€agencies€of€the€unified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÐ p+À&* Ðà0  à(2)The€appointment€and€removal€of€all€department€heads€with€the€exception€the€city€attorney,Ïauditor,€police€chief,€and€fire€chief;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)The€preparation€of€the€proposed€annual€budget€with€the€assistance€of€all€department€headsÏfor€approval€by€the€Board;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)Keeping€the€Board€at€all€times€fully€advised€as€to€the€financial€condition€and€needs€of€theÏunified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)Conducting€studies€and€investigations€and€making€reports€thereon€to€the€Board€concerningÏthe€operations€of€the€departments,€offices,€and€agencies€of€the€unified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(6)Requiring€any€department,€board,€commission,€or€agency€under€the€COO€jurisdiction€toÏsubmit€written€reports€and€to€provide€other€information€as€deemed€necessary;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(7)Prescribing,€requiring,€publishing,€and€implementing€standards€of€administrative,Ïmanagement,€and€operating€practices€and€procedures€to€be€followed€and€adhered€to€by€allÏoffices,€departments,€boards,€commissions,€authorities,€and€other€agencies€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment€which€are€subject€to€the€COOððs€supervision€and€jurisdiction;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(8)Acting€as€the€purchasing€agent€of€Macon„Bibb€as€provided€for€in€Section€8-105€of€thisÏcharter;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(9)Maintaining€all€required€records€of€the€operations€and€activities€of€Macon„Bibb,€includingÏthe€minutes€of€all€meetings€of€the€Board€of€Macon„Bibb.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)Except€for€the€purpose€of€inquiry€and€investigation,€the€Mayor€and€Board€shall€deal€withÏemployees€of€the€unified€government€who€are€subject€to€appointment€and€removal€by€the€COOÏsolely€through€the€COO€and€shall€not€give€orders€or€directions€to€any€such€employee,€either€publiclyÏor€privately,€directly€or€indirectly.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€4-103óó.Ð D!” ÐÌAttorney;€Appointment;€Term;€Qualifications;€Duties;€Compensation.€(a)The€Mayor€shallÏrecommend€candidates€to€the€Board€for€the€Attorney€of€the€unified€government€(referred€to€at€timesÏin€this€charter€as€the€"Attorney").€€The€recommendations€shall€become€effective€when€confirmed€byÏa€majority€vote€of€the€total€membership€of€the€Board.€€The€Attorney€shall€serve€at€the€pleasure€of€theÏMayor€and€may€be€removed€from€office€by€the€Mayor€for€cause.ÌÌ(b)The€Attorney€shall€be€an€active€member€of€the€State€Bar€of€Georgia€in€good€standing€and€shallÏsatisfy€any€other€qualifications€established€by€ordinance.ÌÌ(c)The€Attorney€shall€be€the€legal€counsel€to€the€unified€government€and€shall€perform€such€otherÐ h+¸&* Ðduties€as€may€be€required€by€this€charter€or€by€ordinance.ÌÌ(d)The€compensation€of€the€Attorney€shall€be€as€prescribed€by€a€duly€adopted€ordinance.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€4-104óó.Ð `° ÐÌAuditor;€Appointment;€Term;€Duties;€Qualifications;€Compensation.€(a)The€Mayor€shallÏrecommend€candidates€to€the€Board€for€the€office€of€Auditor€of€the€unified€government€(referred€toÏat€times€in€this€charter€as€the€"Auditor").€€The€recommendations€shall€become€effective€whenÏconfirmed€by€a€majority€vote€of€the€total€membership€of€the€Board.€€The€Auditor€shall€serve€at€theÏpleasure€of€the€Mayor€and€may€be€removed€from€office€by€the€Mayor€for€cause.ò òÐ è 8  Ðó óÌ(b)The€qualifications,€duties,€and€compensation€of€the€Auditor€shall€be€as€prescribed€in€a€dulyÏadopted€ordinance.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€4-105óó.Ð „Ô  ÐÌò òSheriff.€The€Sheriff€of€Bibb€County€in€office€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€shall€be€theÐ \¬ ÐSheriff€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€The€Sheriff€shall€serve€for€the€same€term€as€provided€by€law,Ïand€the€compensation€shall€be€fixed€as€provided€by€law.€Subsequent€elections€for€Sheriff€shallÏbe€on€the€same€basis€as€provided€by€law€for€the€election€of€sheriffs€generally.€€(Alternatives)Ð  p ÐòòThe€Sheriff€shall€be€responsible€for€the€operation€of€the€jail,€the€transport€of€prisoners,€the€serviceÐ  \ Ðof€process,€and€such€other€duties€being€provided€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter.€/€The€SheriffÏshall€be€the€Chief€Law€Enforcement€Officer€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€On€the€effective€date€of€thisÏcharter,€the€Police€Department€of€the€former€City€of€Macon€shall€stand€abolished.€€óóThe€SheriffÐ Ä Ðshall€have€such€other€or€different€powers€and€duties€as€provided€by€the€Constitution€and€lawsÏof€Georgia.ÌÌó óòòSECTION€4-106óó.Ð tÄ ÐÌJudge€of€the€Probate€Court.€The€Judge€of€the€Probate€Court€of€Bibb€County€in€office€on€the€effectiveÏdate€of€this€charter€shall€be€the€Judge€of€the€Probate€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€The€Judge€ofÏProbate€Court€shall€serve€for€the€same€term€as€provided€by€law,€and€the€compensation€shall€be€fixedÏas€provided€by€law.€€Subsequent€elections€for€the€Judge€of€the€Probate€Court€shall€be€on€the€sameÏbasis€as€provided€by€law€for€the€election€of€probate€judges€generally.€€The€Judge€of€the€Probate€CourtÏshall€perform€the€same€duties€and€exercise€the€same€powers€as€conferred€on€probate€judges€generallyÏby€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€4-107óó.Ð ¬'ü"& ÐÌClerk€of€Superior€Court.€The€Clerk€of€Superior€Court€of€Bibb€County€in€office€on€the€effective€dateÏof€this€charter€shall€be€the€Clerk€of€Superior€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€The€Clerk€of€SuperiorÏCourt€shall€serve€for€the€same€term€as€provided€by€law,€and€the€compensation€shall€be€fixed€asÐ \+¬&* Ðprovided€by€law.€€Subsequent€elections€for€the€Clerk€of€Superior€Court€shall€be€on€the€same€basisÏas€provided€by€law€for€the€election€of€clerks€of€superior€court€generally.€€The€Clerk€of€Superior€CourtÏshall€perform€the€same€duties€and€exercise€the€same€powers€as€conferred€on€clerks€of€superior€courtÏgenerally€by€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€4-108óó.Ð L œ ÐÌTax€Commissioner.€The€Tax€Commissioner€of€Bibb€County€in€office€on€the€effective€date€of€thisÏcharter€shall€be€the€Tax€Commissioner€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€The€Tax€Commissioner€shall€serveÏfor€the€same€term€as€provided€by€law,€and€the€compensation€shall€be€fixed€as€provided€by€law.€ÏSubsequent€elections€for€Tax€Commissioner€shall€be€on€the€same€basis€as€provided€by€law€for€theÏelection€of€tax€commissioners€generally.€€The€Tax€Commissioner€shall€perform€the€same€duties€andÏexercise€the€same€powers€as€conferred€on€tax€commissioners€generally€by€the€Constitution€and€lawsÏof€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€4-109óó.Ð „Ô  ÐÌCoroner.€The€Coroner€of€Bibb€County€in€office€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€shall€be€theÏCoroner€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€The€Coroner€shall€serve€for€the€same€term€as€provided€by€law,Ïand€compensation€shall€be€fixed€as€provided€by€law.€Subsequent€elections€for€Coroner€shall€be€onÏthe€same€basis€as€provided€by€law€for€the€election€of€coroners€generally.€€The€Coroner€shall€performÏthe€same€duties€and€exercise€the€same€powers€as€conferred€on€coroners€generally€by€the€ConstitutionÏand€laws€of€Georgia.€ÌÌà@* * ìàCHAPTER€2€-€Administrative€and€Service€DepartmentsˆÌÌòòSECTION€4-201óó.Ð ¨ø ÐÌCreation€and€Functions;€Generally.€Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€this€charter€or€by€law,€theÏadministrative€and€service€departments€of€the€unified€government€shall€be€created€and€establishedÏby€ordinance€and€shall€perform€such€functions,€duties,€services,€and€responsibilities€as€enumeratedÏin€such€ordinances€and€as€prescribed€by€administrative€regulations.ÌÌòòSECTION€4-202óó.Ð #l! ÐÌAdministrative€Reorganization.€The€Board€may,€by€ordinance,€reorganize,€combine,€consolidate,€orÏdiscontinue€any€department€or€agency€of€the€unified€government€subject€to€the€jurisdiction€of€theÏBoard€and€may,€by€ordinance,€prescribe€the€functions€and€duties€thereof€and€may€establish,€abolish,Ïor€alter€all€nonelective€offices€and€positions€of€employment€as€necessary€for€the€properÏadministration€of€the€unified€government.ÌÌòòSECTION€4-203óó.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐAppointment€of€Directors€of€Departments.€All€directors€of€departments€under€the€supervision€andÏdirection€of€the€COO€shall€be€appointed€by€the€COO.€€The€directors€of€all€such€departments€shallÏserve€at€the€pleasure€of€the€COO.ÌÌòòSECTION€4-204óó.Ð `° ÐÌDepartments€under€State€Law.€(a)All€departments,€which€are€created€pursuant€to€state€or€federal€lawÏand€which€administer€various€state€and€federal€programs€and€services,€shall€continue€their€operationsÏwithout€interruption€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter.€ÌÌà@å å ìàCHAPTER€3€-€Merit€System€of€Personnel€AdministrationˆÌÌòòSECTION€4-301óó.Ð À  ÐÌEstablishment€of€Merit€System.€(a)The€Board€shall€establish,€by€ordinance,€a€Merit€System€ofÏPersonnel€Administration€for€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€All€positions€in€the€service€of€Macon„Bibb,ÏGeorgia,€shall€be€in€the€Classified€(Merit€System)€Service€except€the€following€which€are€declaredÏto€be€in€the€Unclassified€Service:ÌÌà0  à(1)Officers€elected€by€the€people€and€persons€appointed€to€fill€vacancies€in€elective€offices;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Members€of€boards€and€commissions;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Directors€of€departments;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)Persons€temporarily€employed€in€a€professional€or€scientific€capacity€or€to€conduct€aÏspecial€inquiry,€investigation,€examination,€or€installation;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)Temporary€and€part-time€employees;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(6)Such€other€employees€as€may€be€excluded€from€coverage€under€the€merit€system€asÏprovided€by€ordinance€or€other€applicable€law.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)The€Merit€System€of€Personnel€Administration€shall€provide€for€classification€of€positions,€theÏmanner€and€method€of€publicizing€vacancies,€employing€and€appointing€personnel,€the€qualificationsÏof€employees,€employee€performance€evaluations,€salaries,€hours€of€employment,€vacations,€sickÏleave,€special€workers'€compensation,€job€security,€promotion,€demotion,€disciplinary€procedures,Ïtransfer,€layoff,€removal,€welfare€of€employees,€retirement€policy,€payment€of€premiums€of€employeeÏinsurance€benefits,€grievance€procedures,€service€awards,€training€leave,€and€any€other€measures€thatÏpromote€the€hiring€and€retaining€of€capable,€diligent,€and€honest€career€employees,€all€of€which€shallÏbe€in€accordance€with€the€concept€of€affirmative€action€as€provided€by€federal€law.€ÌÌà@{ { ìàCHAPTER€4€-€Boards,€Commissions,€and€AuthoritiesˆÐ h+¸&* ЇòòSECTION€4-401óó.Ð ° ÐÌCertain€Boards,€Commissions,€and€Authorities€Continued.€All€existing€boards,€commissions,€andÏauthorities€are€continued€without€interruption€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter.€€As€used€in€theÏActs€and€amendments€creating€the€existing€boards,€commissions,€and€authorities,€the€terms€MaconÏCity€Council€and€Bibb€County€Board€of€Commissioners€shall€mean€the€Board€of€Commissioners€ofÏMacon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€the€terms€Mayor€of€the€City€of€Macon€and€Chairman€of€the€Bibb€CountyÏBoard€of€Commissioners€shall€mean€the€Mayor€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€The€Board€ofÏCommissioners€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€have€the€authority€to€examine€all€existing€boards,Ïcommissions,€and€authorities€of€the€former€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€County€for€the€purpose€ofÏdetermining€whether€any€such€boards,€commissions,€and€authorities€should€be€reorganized€orÏreconstituted€for€the€purpose€of€increasing€their€efficient€operation.€€Provided€however€that€thisÏauthority€shall€not€be€construed€to€authorize€the€Board€to€affect€any€board,€commission,€andÏauthority€created€by€general€law€or€by€local€constitutional€amendment.€€ÌÌà@éé&ìàARTICLE€VˆÌà@àà&ìàJUDICIARYˆÌÌòòSECTION€5-101óó.Ð H˜ ÐÌSuperior€Court€and€District€Attorney;€Unaffected€by€Charter;€Redesignation.€The€Superior€Court€ofÏBibb€County,€including€the€office€of€the€District€Attorney,€shall€continue€its€operations€withoutÏinterruption€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter,€and€nothing€herein€shall€be€construed€asÏaffecting€the€status€of€said€court.€€The€court€shall€be€known€as€the€Superior€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,ÏGeorgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€5-102óó.Ð ¨ø ÐÌState€Court€and€Solicitor„General;€Unaffected€by€Charter;€Redesignation.€The€State€Court€of€BibbÏCounty,€including€the€office€of€the€Solicitor„General,€shall€continue€its€operations€withoutÏinterruption€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter,€and€nothing€herein€shall€be€construed€asÏaffecting€the€status€of€said€court.€€The€court€shall€be€known€as€the€State€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,ÏGeorgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€5-103óó.Ð $X" ÐÌJuvenile€Court;€Unaffected€by€Charter;€Redesignation.€The€Juvenile€Court€of€Bibb€County€shallÏcontinue€its€operations€without€interruption€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter,€and€nothingÏherein€shall€be€construed€as€affecting€the€status€of€said€court.ò ò€€ó óThe€court€shall€be€known€as€theÐ ¸'#& ÐJuvenile€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€5-104óó.Ð €*Ð%) ÐÐ l+¼&* ÐProbate€Court;€Unaffected€by€Charter;€Redesignation.€The€Probate€Court€of€Bibb€County€shallÏcontinue€its€operations€without€interruption€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter,€and€nothingÏherein€shall€be€construed€as€affecting€the€status€of€said€court.€€The€court€shall€be€known€as€theÏProbate€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€5-105óó.Ð L œ ÐÌMagistrate€Court;€Unaffected€by€Charter;€Redesignation.€The€Magistrate€Court€of€Bibb€County€shallÏcontinue€its€operations€without€interruption€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter,€and€nothingÏherein€shall€be€construed€as€affecting€the€status€of€said€court.€€The€court€shall€be€known€as€theÏMagistrate€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€5-106óó.Ð À  ÐÌMunicipal€Court€of€the€City€of€Macon;€Abolishment€of€Operations€in€the€Unified€Government.€SixÏmonths€after€the€effective€date€of€this€charter,€the€Municipal€Court€of€the€City€of€Macon€shall€standÏabolished.€€Any€cases€pending€before€the€municipal€court€on€that€date€shall€be€transferred€to€the€StateÏCourt€of€Macon„Bibb.€€Thereafter,€all€jurisdiction€of€the€former€Municipal€Court€of€the€City€ofÏMacon€shall€be€transferred€to€the€State€Court€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€ò òÐ H˜ ÐÌó óà@ÊÊ%ìàARTICLE€VIˆÐ  p Ðà@ÐÐ&ìàELECTIONSˆÌà@::ìàCHAPTER€1€-€Conduct€of€ElectionsˆÌÌòòSECTION€6-101óó.Ð Ð  ÐÌApplicability€of€General€Laws.€Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€this€charter,€primaries€and€regularÏand€special€elections€shall€be€conducted€in€accordance€with€provisions€of€Chapter€2€of€Title€21€ofÏthe€O.C.G.A.,€the€"Georgia€Election€Code."€As€used€in€said€Code,€the€terms€"election"€or€"generalÏelection"€shall€be€construed€to€include€the€term€"regular€election"€as€provided€in€Section€6-102€ofÏthis€charter;€the€term€"governing€authority"€shall€include€the€Mayor€and€the€Board€of€CommissionersÏof€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;€the€terms€"municipal,"€"municipality,"€or€"county"€shall€include€Macon„¼Bibb,€Georgia;€and€the€term€"public€office"€shall€include€elective€offices€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€6-102óó.Ð $X" ÐÌRegular€Election,€Time€for€Holding;€Voting.€(a)Except€for€the€initial€elections€which€may€or€mayÏnot€be€held€on€the€date€of€regular€state€elections€(see€Section€9-101€of€this€charter),€regular€electionsÏfor€the€elective€public€officers€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€held€every€two€years€on€the€sameÏTuesday€in€November€when€regular€state€elections€are€held.ÌÌ(b)Only€the€electorate€of€each€of€the€nine€election€districts€as€defined€in€Section€6-201€of€this€charterÏshall€be€entitled€to€vote€in€the€election€for€the€Commissioner€to€be€elected€from€that€district.Ð h+¸&* ЇòòSECTION€6-103óó.Ð ° ÐÌSpecial€Elections.€All€special€elections€shall€be€held€and€conducted€in€accordance€with€applicableÏprovisions€of€Chapter€2€of€Title€21€of€the€O.C.G.A.,€the€"Georgia€Election€Code."ÌÌà@â â ìàCHAPTER€2€-€Election€Districts;€ReapportionmentˆÌÌòòà@--#ìàSECTION€6-201óó.ˆÐ $ t ÐÌNumber€of€Districts;€Boundaries.€The€territory€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€consist€of€nine€single„¼member€election€districts€to€be€designated€respectively€as€Districts€1€through€9,€and€the€boundariesÏof€the€initial€districts€shall€be€as€specifically€described€and€set€forth€in€Appendix€A€of€this€charterÏwhich€is€incorporated€herein€by€reference.ÌÌòòSECTION€6-202óó.Ð ˜è  ÐÌReapportionment€of€Election€Districts.€(a)The€election€district€boundaries€of€Macon„Bibb,€GeorgiaÏshall€be€reapportioned€following€the€publication€of€each€official€federal€decennial€census€of€theÏpopulation€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€Such€reapportionment€shall€be€accomplished€by€the€adoptionÏof€an€amendment€to€this€charter,€including€Appendix€A,€by€the€General€Assembly€of€Georgia.ÌÌ(b)The€reapportionment€of€election€districts€shall€comply€with€the€following€specifications:ÌÌà0  à(1)Each€election€district€shall€be€formed€of€contiguous€territory€and€its€boundary€lines€shallÏbe€the€center€lines€of€streets€or€other€well€defined€boundaries€as€utilized€by€the€United€StatesÏBureau€of€the€Census;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Such€election€districts€shall€be€as€nearly€equal€in€population€as€practicable,€and€they€shallÏcomply€with€the€requirements€of€the€federal€Voting€Rights€Act€of€1965,€as€amended.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(c)Any€reapportionment€of€election€districts€shall€apply€to€officials€of€the€unified€governmentÏelected€at€the€next€regular€election€following€such€reapportionment;€provided,€however,€anyÏreapportionment€ordinance€shall€not€apply€to€any€regular€election€or€special€election€held€within€sixÏmonths€after€the€Act€becomes€effective.€ÌÌà@««%ìàARTICLE€VIIˆÌà@bb!ìàREVENUE€AND€FINANCEˆÌà@à à ìàCHAPTER€1€-€Taxation€and€Other€RevenuesˆÌÌòòSECTION€7-101óó.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌLevy€and€Collection€of€Taxes,€Fees,€Charges,€and€Assessments;€Appropriations.€(a)For€the€purposeÏof€raising€revenue€for€the€support€and€maintenance€of€the€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€theÐ h+¸&* ÐCommission€shall€have€full€power€and€authority€to€levy€and€collect€taxes€to€the€extent€hereinafterÏprovided€and€to€appropriate€funds€and€expend€money:ÌÌà0  à(1)For€the€purposes€authorized€by€this€charter;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)For€the€discharge€of€the€powers,€duties,€obligations,€liabilities,€and€functions€specified€inÏthis€charter;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)For€any€and€all€purposes€and€any€and€all€subjects€of€taxation€for€which€the€City€of€MaconÏor€Bibb€County€may€have€been€authorized€and€in€accordance€with€those€authorizations€to€levyÏand€collect€taxes€and€to€appropriate€and€expend€funds€under€the€Constitution€or€any€generalÏor€special€law€of€Georgia€applicable€to€the€City€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County€on€the€effective€dateÏof€this€charter;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)For€any€purpose€authorized€by€the€Constitution€or€any€general€or€special€law€of€GeorgiaÏapplicable€to€municipal€corporations€and€counties€generally€now€of€force€or€hereafter€enacted.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)The€Board€shall€have€full€power€and€authority€to€levy€and€collect€the€following€taxes,€chargesÏand€assessments:ÌÌà0  à(1)Ad€valorem€taxes€on€all€real€and€personal€property€situated€within€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,Ïwhich€is€subject€to€taxation€for€state,€county,€and€municipal€purposes,€or€for€any€other€publicÏpurpose,€to€the€full€extent€permitted€by€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€Georgia,€whether€localÏ(of€the€City€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County)€or€general;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Occupation€and€business€license€taxes€that€are€not€prohibited€by€the€Constitution€andÏgeneral€laws€of€Georgia.€€These€taxes€may€be€levied€upon€any€person,€firm,€partnership,Ïcompany,€or€corporation€which€has€a€location€or€office€within€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€at€whichÏa€business,€profession,€or€occupation€is€conducted.€Subject€to€the€restrictions€imposed€byÏgeneral€law,€the€Commission€may€also€impose€a€regulatory€fee,€whether€designated€as€aÏlicense€fee€or€permit€fee€or€other€name,€on€those€businesses,€professions,€or€occupations€thatÏthe€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€regulates.€€Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)An€excise€tax€on€rooms,€lodgings,€or€accommodations€as€now€or€hereafter€provided€by€lawÏfor€counties€and€municipalities;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)License€fees€and€taxes€on€insurance€companies€as€authorized€by€Code€Sections€33-8-8Ïthrough€33-8-8.6€of€the€O.C.G.A.;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)A€public€utility€franchise€tax,€fee,€or€both,€on€each€electric€light€and€power€company,€gasÏcompany,€telephone€and€telegraph€company,€and€other€public€utility€making€use€of€the€roads,Ïstreets,€alleys,€or€other€public€ways€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€for€the€purpose€of€renderingÏservices€therein;Ðh+¸&*(#(# Їà0  à(6)Charge€and€collect€franchise€fees€on€cable€television€systems€as€now€or€hereafter€providedÏby€law€for€counties;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(7)Fees,€assessments,€and€charges€for€the€cost€of€constructing,€reconstructing,€widening,€orÏimproving€any€public€way,€street,€sidewalk,€curbing,€gutters,€storm€sewers,€drainage€structures,Ïor€other€utility€mains€and€appurtenances€from€the€abutting€property€owners€under€any€termsÏand€conditions€as€provided€by€ordinance;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(8)Fees,€assessments,€charges,€and€tolls€for€sanitary€and€health€services€or€any€other€servicesÏrendered€within€and€without€the€limits€of€the€unified€government€under€such€terms€andÏconditions€as€provided€by€ordinance;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(9)All€other€such€taxes,€charges,€or€assessments€as€the€City€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County€wereÏauthorized€and€empowered€to€make€and€collect€upon€the€effective€date€of€this€charter,€whichÏpowers€may€be€exercised€throughout€the€area€of€the€unified€government,€or€appropriateÏportions€thereof,€including€any€tax€now€or€hereafter€authorized€by€state€law€and€the€specificÏmention€of€any€right,€power,€or€authority€in€this€charter€shall€not€be€construed€as€limiting€inÏany€way€the€general€powers€of€the€Board€to€govern€its€local€affairs.€€When€authorized€by€thisÏcharter€or€a€statute€or€the€Constitution€of€the€State€of€Georgia,€the€Board€shall€have€full€powerÏand€authority€to€assess,€levy,€charge,€and€collect€taxes,€rentals,€interest,€fees,€penalties,€fines,Ïand€costs;€to€receive€income€on€investments;€to€accept€funds,€services,€or€property€from€otherÏpolitical€subdivisions€and€public€agencies,€either€local,€state,€or€national,€and€from€privateÏpersons,€firms,€or€corporations;€and€to€contract€with€them€for€any€public€purpose;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(10)An€excise€tax€upon€the€sale€of€distilled€spirits€or€alcoholic€beverages€for€beverageÏpurposes€by€the€drink€as€now€or€hereafter€provided€by€law€for€counties€and€municipalities;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(11)An€excise€tax€upon€the€sale,€transfer,€or€dispensing€of€malt€beverages€and€alcoholicÏbeverages€within€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€by€wholesale€or€retail€dealers€as€now€or€hereafterÏprovided€by€law€for€counties€and€municipalities.€In€addition,€the€Board€shall€have€the€authorityÏto€impose,€assess,€levy,€and€collect€an€excise€tax€upon€the€sale,€transfer,€or€dispensing€of€wineÏby€wholesale€or€retail€dealers€within€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€as€now€or€hereafter€provided€byÏlaw€for€counties€and€municipalities;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(12)Such€other€taxes€and€charges€as€provided€by€law.Ð (#(# ÐÌòòSECTION€7-102óó.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌCollection€of€Delinquent€Taxes€and€Fees.€The€collection€of€delinquent€taxes€and€fees€shall€be€asÏprovided€in€state€law€for€the€collection€of€delinquent€property€taxes€by€counties.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-103óó.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐHomestead€Exemptions.€The€homestead€exemptions€provided€under€the€Constitution€and€laws€ofÏGeorgia€presently€in€force€or€as€hereafter€amended€shall€be€applicable€to€all€such€property€subjectÏto€ad€valorem€taxes€within€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-104óó.Ð `° ÐÌTax€and€Services€Districts;€Taxation€Therein.€(a)The€general€services€area€as€defined€and€authorizedÏin€paragraph€(1)€of€subsection€(a)€of€Section€7-301€of€this€charter€shall€constitute€a€general€servicesÏtax€district€wherein€the€Board€shall€levy€and€collect€taxes€and€shall€appropriate€money€to€performÏand€discharge€those€powers,€functions,€and€services€provided€therein€by€the€unified€government€ofÏMacon„Bibb,€Georgia.ÌÌ(b)The€urban€services€area€as€authorized€in€paragraph€(2)€of€subsection€(a)€of€Section€7-301€of€thisÏcharter€together€with€any€enlargement€or€modification€thereof€pursuant€to€the€provisions€of€thisÏcharter,€shall€constitute€an€Urban€Tax€District,€as€the€case€may€be,€wherein€the€Board€may€levy€andÏcollect€additional€taxes€and€may€appropriate€additional€money€therefrom€to€perform€and€dischargeÏthose€additional€powers,€functions,€and€additional€services€provided€therein€by€the€unifiedÏgovernment€of€ò òó óMacon„Bibb,€Georgiaò òó ó.Ð \¬ ÐÌ(c)The€assessment€of€real€and€personal€property€for€ad€valorem€tax€purposes€shall€be€upon€a€uniformÏbasis€throughout€the€entire€area€of€the€unified€government;€provided,€however,€the€rate€and€mannerÏof€additional€taxation€of€services€districts€may€vary€in€any€services€tax€district€from€that€in€anotherÏor€other€services€tax€districts€in€such€a€way€as€to€reflect€reasonably€the€kind,€character,€type,€degree,Ïand€level€of€services€afforded€to€such€services€tax€district€or€districts.€ÌÌò òó óà@  ìàCHAPTER€2€-€Borrowing€and€IndebtednessˆÐ ¼  ÐÌòòSECTION€7-201óó.Ð ”ä ÐÌIssuance€of€General€Obligation€Bonds.€(a)The€Board€shall€be€authorized€to€issue€and€sell€generalÏobligation€bonds,€after€approval€of€the€qualified€voters,€under€the€provisions€of€the€Constitution€andÏgeneral€laws€of€Georgia€for€any€public€purpose€for€the€benefit€of€the€unified€government€or€any€taxÏarea€or€services€district€thereof;€provided,€however,€that€for€the€purpose€of€issuing€and€selling€suchÏgeneral€obligation€bonds,€the€unified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€be€deemed€a€countyÏand€the€provisions€of€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€Georgia€governing€the€limitations,€terms,€andÏprocedures€for€the€issuance€and€sale€of€bonds€by€counties€shall€apply€to€the€unified€governmentÏunless€otherwise€provided€by€this€charter.ÌÌ(b)All€general€obligation€bonds€shall€be€issued€in€the€name€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€shall€beÏan€obligation€thereof,€and€the€full€faith€and€credit€of€the€unified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€GeorgiaÏshall€be€pledged€for€all€general€obligation€bonds€issued€thereunder€which€are€payable€from€adÏvalorem€taxes,€and€for€such€purpose,€the€Board€shall€have€the€authority€to€levy€and€collect€adÏvalorem€taxes€without€limit€as€to€rate€or€amount€on€all€taxable€property€within€the€territorial€limitsÐ h+¸&* Ðof€the€unified€government.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-202óó.Ð ˆØ ÐÌDebt€Limitation;€General€Obligation€Bonds.€The€total€general€obligation€bond€indebtedness€of€theÏunified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€payable€from€ad€valorem€taxes€(including€allÏoutstanding€general€obligation€bonds€of€the€former€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€County€on€the€effectiveÏdate€of€this€charter)€shall€not€exceed€10€percent€of€the€assessed€value€of€all€taxable€property€withinÏthe€territorial€limits€of€the€unified€government.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-203óó.Ð è 8  ÐÌRevenue€Bonds.€The€Board€shall€be€empowered€and€authorized€to€issue€revenue€bonds€for€theÏpurposes€and€in€the€manner€as€now€or€hereafter€provided€by€Article€3€of€Chapter€82€of€Title€36€ofÏthe€O.C.G.A.,€the€"Revenue€Bond€Law."ÌÌòòSECTION€7-204óó.Ð pÀ ÐÌUse€of€Bond€Proceeds.€All€revenue€derived€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€from€the€issuance€and€sale€ofÏbonds€shall€be€used€exclusively€for€the€purposes€for€which€such€bonds€were€issued,€and€all€adÏvalorem€taxes€collected€for€the€purpose€of€servicing€or€retiring€such€bonds€shall€be€used€exclusivelyÏfor€the€payment€of€principal€and€interest€thereof.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-205óó.Ð ä4 ÐÌAllocation€of€Indebtedness.€(a)All€general€indebtedness€of€Bibb€County,€whether€represented€byÏgeneral€obligation€bonds€or€otherwise,€which€may€be€outstanding€upon€the€effective€date€of€thisÏcharter,€shall€be€allocated€to€the€general€services€area€as€defined€in€paragraph€(1)€of€subsection€(a)Ïof€Section€7-301€of€this€charter,€and€is€hereby€recognized€as€the€obligation€of€the€general€servicesÏarea€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€All€general€indebtedness€of€the€City€of€Macon,€whether€representedÏby€general€obligation€bonds€or€otherwise€which€may€be€outstanding€upon€the€effective€date€of€thisÏcharter,€shall€be€allocated€to€the€urban€services€area€as€is€defined€in€paragraph€(2)€of€subsection€(a)Ïof€Section€7-301€of€this€charter.€€The€Board€is€hereby€authorized€to€levy€taxes€and€otherwise€provideÏfor€the€retirement€thereof,€subject€to€the€terms€of€this€charter.€€Any€funds€in€the€control€of€theÏheretofore€existent€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€County,€now€consolidated€into€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,Ïby€this€charter,€which€theretofore€had€been€allocated€to€the€retirement€of€any€bonded€indebtednessÏof€said€municipality€and€county€shall€be€so€applied€by€the€Board.ÌÌ(b)All€general€obligation€bonds€issued€prior€to€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€by€Bibb€County€andÏall€bonds€authorized€but€unissued€by€Bibb€County€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€and€thereafterÏissued€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€allocated€to€the€general€services€area,€and€the€principal€ofÏand€interest€on€such€bonds€shall€be€paid€from€ad€valorem€taxes€or€other€revenues€collected€in€theÏgeneral€services€area.€€All€general€obligation€bonds€issued€prior€to€the€effective€date€of€this€charterÐ h+¸&* Ðby€the€City€of€Macon€and€all€bonds€authorized€but€unissued€by€the€City€of€Macon€on€the€effectiveÏdate€of€this€charter€and€thereafter€issued€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€allocated€to€the€urbanÏservices€area,€and€the€principal€and€interest€on€such€bonds€shall€be€paid€from€ad€valorem€taxes€orÏother€revenues€collected€in€the€urban€services€area.ÌÌ(c)Any€revenue€bonds€issued€prior€to€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€by€the€City€of€Macon€or€BibbÏCounty€under€Article€3€of€Chapter€82€of€Title€36€of€the€O.C.G.A.,€the€"Revenue€Bond€Law,"€and€anyÏsuch€revenue€bonds€authorized€but€unissued€by€the€said€city€or€county€on€the€effective€date€of€thisÏcharter€and€thereafter€issued€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€payable€as€to€principal€and€interestÏfrom€the€revenues€or€sources€and€in€the€manner€provided€in€the€proceedings€which€authorized€theÏissuance€of€such€revenue€bonds.ÌÌ(d)Neither€the€allocation€of€bonds€to€the€general€services€area€nor€any€of€the€other€provisions€of€thisÏcharter€shall€impair€or€diminish€any€of€the€rights,€revenues,€or€security€and€source€for€payment€ofÏany€of€such€bonds€or€revenue€bonds€issued€by€the€City€of€Macon€or€by€Bibb€County€prior€to€theÏeffective€date€of€this€charter,€or€authorized€but€unissued€by€the€City€of€Macon€or€by€Bibb€County€onÏthe€effective€date€of€this€charter€and€thereafter€issued€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;€and€such€holders€ofÏsuch€bonds€or€revenue€bonds€shall€have€and€be€entitled€to€enforce€any€and€all€rights,€remedies,€andÏsecurity€and€sources€for€payment€granted€such€holders€by€the€proceedings€which€authorized€theÏissuance€of€such€bonds€or€revenue€bonds€as€fully€and€to€the€same€extent€as€if€this€charter€had€notÏbeen€adopted.€ÌÌò òó óà@ìà€CHAPTER€3€-€Financing€of€ServicesˆÐ øH ÐÌòòSECTION€7-301óó.Ð Ð  ÐÌGeneral€and€Urban€Services€Areas.€(a)In€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€there€shall€be:ÌÌà0  à(1)A€general€services€area€which€shall€consist€of€the€total€area€of€Bibb€County€as€fixed€andÏestablished€upon€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€or€as€hereafter€modified€according€to€law;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)An€urban€services€area€which€shall€consist€of€the€area€embraced€within€the€corporate€limitsÏof€the€City€of€Macon€as€the€same€exists€upon€the€day€immediately€preceding€the€effective€dateÏof€this€charter€or€as€such€area€may€be€hereafter€expanded€as€herein€provided;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Such€special€services€areas€as€the€Board€may€hereafter€establish.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)All€other€tax€districts€existing€in€the€City€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County€immediately€prior€to€theÏeffective€date€of€this€charter€are€continued€in€effect€by€this€charter.ÌÌ(c)Such€services€areas€shall€be€tax€districts€wherein€taxes€and€other€assessments€shall€be€assessed,Ïlevied,€and€collected€by€the€unified€government€in€accordance€with€the€kind,€character,€type,€andÏdegree€of€services€actually€provided€therein€and€may€vary€in€any€one€services€area€from€that€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðanother€or€other€areas€in€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€this€charter.€The€powers,€authority,€duties,Ïliabilities,€services,€and€functions€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€may€vary€in€any€services€area€from€thatÏin€another€or€other€services€area.ÌÌ(d)The€unified€government€is€hereby€empowered€to€exercise€and€provide€within€the€general€servicesÏarea€and€within€any€urban€services€area€established€by€this€charter€or€by€ordinance€of€the€Board€thoseÏpowers,€functions,€and€services€which€have€theretofore€been€exercised€and€provided€by€Bibb€CountyÏor€the€City€of€Macon,€or€both;€all€powers,€functions,€and€services€authorized€by€this€charter,€and€anyÏamendments€thereto;€and€all€powers,€functions,€and€services€which€counties€and€municipalÏcorporations,€or€both,€are€now€or€hereafter€authorized€to€exercise€under€the€Constitution€and€lawsÏof€Georgia.ÌÌ(e)The€unified€government€shall€perform€or€procure€the€performance€within€the€general€services€areaÏof€those€governmental€duties,€functions,€and€services€which€are€generally€available€and€accessibleÏto€all€residents€throughout€the€total€territory€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€As€provided€in€subsection€(a)Ïof€Section€1-105€of€this€charter,€all€services€provided€in€the€general€services€area€shall€be€madeÏavailable€to€the€citizens€of€Payne€City€at€the€same€rate€provided€all€other€citizens€of€the€generalÏservices€area€pursuant€to€a€contract€executed€between€the€governments€of€the€Payne€City€and€Macon„¼Bibb€for€the€amount€of€$1.00€for€a€period€not€to€exceed€50€years€as€is€provided€in€Article€IX,€SectionÏIII,€Paragraph€I€of€the€Constitution€of€the€State€of€Georgia.ÌÌ(f)The€unified€government€shall€perform€within€its€urban€services€areas€those€additional,€moreÏcomprehensive€and€intensive,€and€higher€levels€of€governmental€duties,€functions,€and€servicesÏwhich€benefit€primarily€the€residents€of€such€urban€services€areas.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-302óó.Ð ¼  ÐÌCreation€of€Services€Areas€by€Ordinance.€Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€this€charter,€servicesÏareas€of€the€unified€government€shall€be€created,€expanded,€merged,€unified,€or€reduced€only€byÏordinance€duly€adopted€by€the€Board€under€such€general€rules,€procedures,€regulations,€requirements,Ïand€specifications€as€are€established€by€the€Board€and€this€charter.€€Such€rules€and€regulations€shallÏset€forth€the€manner€and€method€for€the€creation€of€new€services€areas€and€the€expansion,Ïunification,€reduction,€or€merger€of€existing€services€areas;€set€forth€requirements€for€definingÏfunctions€and€policies€for€rendering€services,€for€changing€levels€of€services€within€existing€servicesÏareas,€and€for€transferring€territory€from€one€services€area€to€another;€and€set€forth€requirements€forÏdefining€boundaries€of€services€areas.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-303óó.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌRequirements€for€Defining€Boundaries.€Whenever€in€this€chapter€it€is€required€that€the€boundariesÏof€a€services€area€be€set€out,€it€shall€suffice€if€the€boundaries€are€described€in€such€a€way€as€to€conveyÏan€intelligent€understanding€of€the€location€of€the€land.€€In€the€discretion€of€the€Board,€the€boundariesÏmay€be€described:€€(1)€by€reference€to€a€map;€(2)€by€metes€and€bounds;€(3)€by€general€descriptionÐ h+¸&* Ðreferring€to€roads€or€natural€boundaries€or€to€the€boundaries€of€particular€tracts€or€parcels€of€land;Ïor€(4)€by€any€combination€of€the€above€methods.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-304óó.Ð tÄ ÐÌNotice€of€Hearing€Prior€to€Adoption€of€Ordinance.€Before€it€adopts€any€ordinance€authorized€orÏdescribed€in€Sections€7-301€through€7-303€of€this€charter,€the€Board€shall€give€notice€of€its€intentionsÏto€consider€the€ordinance€and€shall€provide€an€opportunity€for€interested€persons€to€be€heard€as€isÏprovided€for€in€Section€1-105€of€this€charter.€ÌÌò òó óà@œ œ ìàCHAPTER€4€-€Financial€AdministrationˆÐ è 8  ÐÌòòSECTION€7-401óó.Ð À  ÐÌFiscal€Year.€The€fiscal€year€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€begin€on€the€first€day€of€July€of€each€yearÏand€shall€end€on€the€thirtieth€day€of€June€next€following.€€The€Board€may€adopt€a€different€fiscal€yearÏby€ordinance,€which€shall€not€be€effective€until€at€least€six€months€after€the€date€of€adoption€thereof.€ÏThe€fiscal€year€shall€constitute€the€budget€year€and€the€year€for€financial€accounting€and€reportingÏof€each€and€every€office,€department,€institution,€agency,€and€activity€of€the€unified€government,Ïunless€otherwise€provided€by€state€or€federal€law.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-402óó.Ð  \ ÐÌPreparation€of€Budgets.€The€preparation€of€an€annual€budget€and€a€capital€improvements€budgetÏshall€be€as€prescribed€by€ordinance€and€provisions€of€this€charter.ñ; ñ€€Iñ; ññ< ññ; ñN€ñ; ññ< ññ= ñn€additionñ= ññ> ññ= ñ€ñ= ññ> ññ? ñ,€the€unifiedÏgovernment€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€may€adopt€budgets€as€are€permitted€by€general€law,€inñ? ññ@ ññ? ñdñ? ññ@ ññA ñcludingÏbut€not€limited€to,€project€budgets€for€major€capital€projects€and€fund€budgets.€€ñA ññ< ññ; ñañ; ññ< ñÌÌòòSECTION€7-403óó.Ð €Ð ÐÌScope€of€Budgets.€(a)The€annual€budget€should€consist€of€two€parts:ÌÌà0  à(1)Part€I€of€the€annual€budget€shall€apply€only€to€the€operating€expenses€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Part€II€of€the€annual€budget€shall€apply€only€to€capital€improvement€expenses€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)Each€section€of€the€annual€operating€and€capital€budget€shall€contain€with€respect€to€each€of€theÏoperating€funds€of€the€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€to€which€they€are€applicable:ÌÌà0  à(1)A€reasonable€estimate€of€cash€revenues€to€be€received€during€the€ensuing€year,€classifiedÏaccording€to€source;Ðh+¸&*(#(# Їà0  à(2)Proposed€expenditures€detailed€by€each€department,€board,€commission,€office,€agency,Ïand€activity€in€accordance€with€an€established€classification€of€accounts,€including€thoseÏcapital€outlays€which€are€to€be€financed€from€the€revenues€of€the€ensuing€year€and€includingÏall€debt€service€requirements€in€full€for€such€fiscal€year;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Such€other€information€as€may€be€considered€necessary€or€desirable€by€the€COO,€theÏMayor,€or€the€Board.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(c)In€no€event€shall€the€total€proposed€expenditures€from€any€fund€exceed€the€total€anticipatedÏrevenues€plus€the€estimated€unappropriated€surplus€or€fund€balance€and€applicable€reserves€less€anyÏestimated€deficit€at€the€end€of€the€current€fiscal€year.ÌÌ(d)The€capital€improvements€budget€shall€describe€capital€projects€anticipated,€the€proposedÏexpenditures€therefore,€and€the€revenues€or€other€sources€of€funds€anticipated€to€finance€such€capitalÏprojects.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-404óó.Ð pÀ ÐÌSubmission€of€Budgets€to€the€Board€of€Commissioners.€(a)In€advance€of€initiating€preparations€ofÏthe€annual€budget,€the€Mayor,€with€participation€of€the€Board,€shall€develop€a€statement€of€theÏgeneral€fiscal€policies€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€the€important€features€of€the€budgets,€explanationsÏof€major€changes€recommended€for€the€next€fiscal€year,€a€general€summary€of€the€budgets,€and€suchÏother€comments€and€information€as€may€be€deemed€pertinent.ÌÌ(b)On€or€before€a€date€fixed€by€the€Board€but€not€later€than€60€days€prior€to€the€beginning€of€eachÏfiscal€yearò ò,€ó óthe€Chief€Operating€Officer€in€consultation€with€the€department€heads€will€prepare€anÐ ¼  Ðoperating€budget€to€submit€to€the€Mayor.€€The€Mayor€of€the€unified€government€shall€submit€to€theÏBoard€a€proposed€operating€budget€and€a€proposed€capital€improvements€budget€for€the€ensuingÏfiscal€year.€€Such€budgets€shall€be€accompanied€by€a€message€from€the€Mayor€containing€a€statementÏof€the€general€fiscal€policies€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€the€important€features€of€the€budgets,Ïexplanations€of€major€changes€recommended€for€the€next€fiscal€year,€a€general€summary€of€theÏbudgets,€and€such€other€comments€and€information€as€may€be€deemed€pertinent.€€A€summary€of€theÏbudgets€and€the€Mayorððs€message€thereon€shall€be€published€in€a€newspaper€of€general€circulationÏdesignated€as€the€legal€organ€of€the€unified€government.€€The€operating€budget€and€the€capitalÏimprovements€budget,€the€budget€message,€and€all€supporting€schedules€shall€be€filed€in€the€COOððsÏoffice€and€shall€be€open€to€public€inspection.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-405óó.Ð Ð& "% ÐÌAdoption€of€Budgets.€(a)The€Board€shall€approve,€reject,€or€amend€the€proposed€operating€budget.€ÏThe€budget€as€finally€adopted€must€provide€for€all€expenditures€required€by€law€or€by€otherÏprovisions€of€this€charter€and€for€all€debt€service€requirements€for€the€ensuing€fiscal€year.€The€totalÏappropriations€from€any€fund€shall€not€exceed€the€estimated€fund€balance,€reserves,€and€revenues,Ð l+¼&* Ðconstituting€the€resources€available€of€such€fund.ÌÌ(b)The€Board€shall€adopt€the€final€annual€operating€budget€for€the€ensuing€fiscal€year€not€later€thanÏthe€thirtieth€day€of€June€of€each€year€and€such€budget€shall€be€effective€for€the€fiscal€year€beginningÏon€the€first€day€of€July.€€In€the€event€the€Board€fails€to€adopt€the€budget€by€this€date,€the€amountsÏappropriated€for€current€operation€for€the€current€fiscal€year€shall€be€deemed€adopted€for€the€ensuingÏfiscal€year,€with€appropriate€items€prorated€accordingly€until€such€time€as€the€Board€shall€adopt€aÏbudget€for€the€ensuing€fiscal€year.€Adoption€of€the€annual€operating€budget€shall€take€the€form€ofÏan€appropriation€ordinance€setting€out€estimated€revenues€in€detail€by€source€and€makingÏappropriations€accordingly€to€fund€organizational€units,€purposes,€or€activities€as€set€forth€in€theÏbudget€document.ÌÌ(c)The€amount€set€out€in€the€adopted€operating€budget€for€each€organizational€unit,€purpose,€orÏactivity€shall€constitute€the€annual€appropriation€for€such€item,€and€no€expenditure€shall€be€made€orÏencumbrance€created€in€excess€of€the€otherwise€unencumbered€balance€of€the€appropriation,€orÏallotment€thereof,€to€which€it€is€chargeable.ÌÌ(d)The€Board€shall€adopt€by€ordinance€the€capital€improvements€program€and€capital€budget€for€theÏensuing€fiscal€year€not€later€than€the€thirtieth€day€of€June€of€each€year.€€The€capital€budget€ordinanceÏshall€show€in€detail€the€capital€expenditures€intended€to€be€made€or€incurred€in€the€ensuing€fiscalÏyear€that€are€to€be€financed€from€funds€subject€to€control€or€appropriation€by€the€Board€and€shall€beÏin€full€conformity€with€that€part€of€the€capital€program€applicable€to€the€year€which€it€covers.€ÏAmounts€specified€as€intended€to€be€spent€out€of€new€appropriations€shall,€upon€enactment€of€theÏcapital€budget€ordinance,€constitute€appropriations€of€such€amounts.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€7-406óó.Ð ¼  ÐÌProperty€Tax€Levies.€Following€the€adoption€of€the€operating€and€capital€improvements€budgets€forÏeach€fiscal€year:ÌÌà0  à(1)The€Board€shall€levy€by€ordinance€a€general€services€area€tax€on€all€real€and€personalÏproperty€within€the€general€services€tax€district€as€provided€by€this€charter.€€The€tax€rate€setÏby€such€ordinance€shall€be€such€that€a€reasonable€estimate€of€cash€revenues€from€such€levyÏshall€be€at€least€sufficient,€together€with€other€anticipated€revenues,€fund€balances,€andÏapplicable€reserves,€to€equal€the€total€amount€appropriated€for€each€of€the€several€funds€setÏforth€in€the€annual€operating€budget€for€defraying€the€expenses€of€the€general€services€area€forÏservices€to€be€rendered€throughout€the€entire€area€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€€Such€servicesÏshall€include€those€functions€set€forth€in€subsections€(c)€and€(d)€of€Section€7-301€of€thisÏcharter,€and€such€other€purposes,€functions,€and€services€as€may€be€authorized€by€the€laws€ofÏGeorgia,€by€this€charter,€or€by€ordinance€of€the€Board;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)The€Board€shall€levy€by€ordinance€an€urban€services€area€tax€on€all€real€and€personalÏproperty€within€the€urban€services€tax€district€as€authorized€by€this€charter.€€The€tax€rates€setÐ h+¸&* Ðby€such€ordinance€for€each€district€shall€be€such€that€a€reasonable€estimate€of€cash€revenuesÏfrom€such€levy€shall€be€at€least€sufficient,€together€with€other€anticipated€revenues,€fundÏbalances,€and€applicable€reserves,€to€equal€the€total€amount€appropriated€for€each€of€theÏseveral€funds€set€forth€in€the€annual€operating€budget€for€defraying€the€expenses€of€a€higherÏlevel€of€services€to€be€rendered€in€urban€services€areas;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)The€Board€shall€levy€by€ordinance€a€special€services€area€tax€on€all€real€and€personalÏproperty€within€any€special€services€tax€district€as€authorized€by€this€charter.€€The€tax€rates€setÏby€such€ordinance€for€each€district€shall€be€such€that€a€reasonable€estimate€of€cash€revenuesÏfrom€such€levy€shall€be€at€least€sufficient,€together€with€other€anticipated€revenues,€fundÏbalances,€and€applicable€reserves,€to€equal€the€total€amount€appropriated€for€each€of€theÏseveral€funds€set€forth€in€the€annual€operating€budget€for€defraying€the€expenses€of€a€higherÏlevel€of€services€to€be€rendered€in€a€special€services€area.Ð (#(# ÐÌòòSECTION€7-407óó.Ð ˜è  ÐÌLimitation€of€Funds.€Upon€certification€by€the€COO€that€the€revenues€or€other€resources€actuallyÏrealized€with€respect€to€any€fund€will€be€less€than€was€anticipated€and€will€be€insufficient€to€meetÏthe€amounts€appropriated€from€such€fund,€it€shall€be€the€duty€of€the€COO€upon€the€instruction€of€theÏMayor€of€the€unified€government€to€limit€such€appropriations€as€may€be€necessary€to€prevent€deficitÏoperation.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-408óó.Ð øH ÐÌTransfer€of€Funds.€Upon€recommendation€of€the€COO€and€approval€of€the€Mayor,€the€Board€mayÏmake€interfund€or€interdepartmental€transfers€in€the€current€operating€budget€or€capitalÏimprovements€budget€at€any€regular€or€special€meeting€called€for€such€purpose,€provided€funds€areÏalso€available.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-409óó.Ð l¼ ÐÌLapse€of€Appropriations.€All€unencumbered€balances€of€appropriations€in€the€current€operatingÏbudget€at€the€end€of€the€fiscal€year€shall€lapse€into€the€unappropriated€surplus€or€reserves€of€the€fundÏor€funds€from€which€such€appropriations€were€made.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-410óó.Ð ô$D # ÐÌContinuing€Audit.€The€Auditor€shall€conduct€a€continuing€internal€audit€of€the€fiscal€affairs€andÏoperations€of€every€department,€office€and€agency€of€the€unified€government.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-411óó.Ð )à$( ÐÌPostaudit.€(a)The€Board€shall€provide€annually€for€an€independent€audit€of€the€accounts€and€otherÐ h+¸&* Ðevidences€of€financial€transactions€of€the€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€of€every€office,Ïdepartment,€board,€commission,€authority,€or€other€agency.€€The€audit€shall€be€made€by€a€certifiedÏpublic€accountant€who€shall€have€no€personal€interest,€direct€or€indirect,€in€the€fiscal€affairs€ofÏMacon„Bibb,€Georgia,€or€of€any€of€its€departments,€offices,€boards,€commissions,€authorities,€orÏagencies.€€The€Board€shall€by€competitive€bids,€taking€into€consideration€the€lowest€and€best€bid,Ïdesignate€such€accountant€or€firm€annually€or€for€a€period€not€exceeding€three€years.ÌÌ(b)The€audit€may€be€conducted€on€a€quarterly€or€continuing€basis€and€the€final€report€of€the€annualÏaudit€shall€be€completed€as€soon€as€practicable€after€the€close€of€the€fiscal€year,€and€in€no€event€laterÏthan€six€months€after€the€close€of€the€fiscal€year.€€The€audit€report€shall€be€filed€with€the€COO€andÏmade€available€to€the€public.ÌÌ(c)The€Board€may€at€any€time€order€an€examination€or€special€audit€of€any€office,€department,Ïboard,€commission,€or€other€agency€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€ÌÌà@  ìàCHAPTER€5€-€Procurement€and€Disposition€of€PropertyˆÌÌòòSECTION€7-501óó.Ð \¬ ÐÌContracting€Procedures.€The€Board€shall€prescribe€by€ordinance€rules€and€regulations€which€mustÏbe€followed€in€the€making€of€contracts€in€order€to€bind€the€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia.€ÏExcept€where€otherwise€provided€by€law€or€by€ordinance,€all€contracts€of€the€government€of€Macon„¼Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€signed€by€the€Mayor€and€authenticated€by€the€COO.ÌÌòòSECTION€7-502óó.Ð Ð  ÐÌSale€and€Disposition€of€Property.€(a)The€Board€is€authorized€to€sell€any€real€or€personal€propertyÏowned€or€held€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€not€needed€for€governmental€or€other€public€purposesÏin€such€manner€as€is€required€in€state€law€for€counties,€as€provided€for€in€Code€Sections€36-9-2€andÏ36-9-3€of€the€O.C.G.A.ÌÌ(b)The€Board€is€empowered€to€authorize€the€following€transactions:ÌÌà0  à(1)A€transfer€of€any€real€or€personal€property€owned€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€to€anotherÏgovernmental€entity€upon€finding€that€such€transfer€is€in€the€public€interest;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)A€sale€of€any€such€property€to€another€governmental€entity;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)An€exchange€of€such€property€for€property€that€is€owned€privately€or€by€some€otherÏgovernmental€entity.Ð (#(# ÐÌIn€each€instance,€whether€the€property€is€transferred,€sold,€or€exchanged,€the€requirements€of€a€publicÏsale€shall€not€be€required;€but€a€statement€thereof€shall€be€published€in€the€newspaper€designated€asÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€legal€organ€of€the€unified€government€once€a€week€for€the€two€weeks€preceding€the€day€in€whichÏsuch€transaction€is€to€be€concluded.€€Such€statement€shall€contain€a€description€of€the€property€orÏproperties€involved€and€the€prices€and€estimated€values€as€to€each€item€of€property.ÌÌ(c)€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€may€quitclaim€any€rights€it€may€have€in€property€not€needed€for€publicÏpurposes€upon€a€report€by€the€COO€of€the€unified€government€and€the€adoption€by€the€Board€of€aÏresolution,€both€finding€that€the€property€is€not€needed€for€public€purposes€and€that€the€interest€ofÏthe€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€therein€has€no€readily€ascertainable€monetary€value.ÌÌ(d)Whenever€in€opening,€extending,€or€widening€any€street,€avenue,€alley,€or€public€place€of€Macon„¼Bibb,€Georgia,€a€small€parcel€or€tract€of€land€is€cut€off€or€separated€by€such€work€from€a€larger€tractÏof€land€owned€by€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€the€Board€may€authorize€the€execution€and€deliverance€inÏthe€name€of€the€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€of€a€deed€conveying€said€cut-off€or€separatedÏparcel€or€tract€of€land€to€an€abutting€or€adjoining€property€owner€or€owners€in€exchange€for€rightsÏof€way€in€said€street,€avenue,€alley,€or€public€place,€or€in€settlement€of€any€alleged€damages€sustainedÏby€said€abutting€or€adjoining€property€owner.€All€deeds€and€conveyances€so€executed€and€deliveredÏshall€convey€all€title€and€interest€the€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€has€in€such€property.€ÌÌà@ŒŒ$ìàARTICLE€VIIIˆÌà@ºº!ìàGENERAL€PROVISIONSˆÌÌòòSECTION€8-101óó.Ð  \ ÐÌApplication€of€Laws;€Laws€in€Force.€(a)The€general€laws€of€the€State€of€Georgia€of€a€criminal€natureÏshall€be€applicable€to€and€within€the€limits€of€the€unified€government.€€General€laws€of€localÏapplication€through€classification€by€population,€not€in€conflict€with€this€charter:ÌÌà0  à(1)Which€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€apply€to€the€City€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County,ÏGeorgia,€shall€be€applicable€to€the€unified€government;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Which€apply€to€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€as€either€a€city€or€a€county€at€the€time€of€theirÏenactment€or€thereafter€shall€be€effective;€but€those€which€did€not€apply€to€the€City€of€MaconÏor€Bibb€County€or€the€unified€government€at€the€time€of€their€enactment€shall€not€becomeÏapplicable€to€the€unified€government€except€through€the€adoption€of€a€resolution€to€that€effectÏby€the€Board.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(b)Local€Acts€of€the€State€of€Georgia€which€apply€specifically€to€either€Bibb€County€or€the€City€ofÏMacon,€or€both,€shall€be€applicable€to€the€unified€government.ÌÌ(c)In€construing€the€applicability€of€provisions€of€the€Constitution€and€the€general€laws€of€GeorgiaÏwhich€apply€in€general€terms€to€either€counties€or€municipalities,€or€both,€and€local€Acts€of€theÏGeneral€Assembly€that€apply€specifically€to€Bibb€County€or€the€City€of€Macon,€or€both,€theÏfollowing€terms€as€used€in€such€laws€shall€be€construed€to€include€the€unified€government€asÐ h+¸&* Ðfollows:ÌÌà0  à(1)"County"€shall€be€construed€to€include€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)"City,"€"town,"€"municipal€corporation,"€or€"municipality"€shall€be€construed€to€includeÏMacon„Bibb,€Georgia;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)"Commissioners€of€Roads€and€Revenues"€and€"Board€of€County€Commissioners"€shall€beÏconstrued€to€include€the€Board€of€Commissioners€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)"Council,"€"Mayor€and€Council,"€"Aldermen,"€and€"Board€of€Aldermen"€shall€be€construedÏto€include€the€Board€of€Commissioners€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)"Chairman€of€the€Commissioners€of€Roads€and€Revenues"€and€"Chairman€of€the€Board€ofÏCounty€Commissioners"€shall€be€construed€to€include€the€Mayor€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(6)"Mayor"€shall€be€construed€to€include€the€Mayor€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(7)Any€other€terms€and€provisions€as€used€in€such€Acts€to€refer€specifically€to€Bibb€CountyÏor€the€City€of€Macon,€or€both,€and€the€officers,€employees,€departments,€and€agencies€thereofÏshall€be€construed€to€mean€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€its€officers,€employees,€departments,Ïand€agencies.Ð (#(# ÐÌ(d)In€construing€the€applicability€of€laws€in€force€to€the€unified€government,€the€following€orderÏshall€prevail:ÌÌà0  à(1)The€Constitution€of€the€State€of€Georgia;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)The€general€laws€of€uniform€application€now€in€force€or€hereafter€enacted€by€the€GeneralÏAssembly€(as€distinguished€from€general€laws€of€local€application€through€classification€byÏpopulation)€applicable€to€municipal€corporations€or€counties,€or€both;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)The€general€laws€of€local€application€through€classification€by€population€as€and€to€theÏextent€provided€in€subsection€(a)€of€this€section;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)Special€laws€applicable€to€Bibb€County,€not€in€conflict€with€this€charter;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)Special€laws€applicable€to€the€City€of€Macon,€not€in€conflict€with€this€charter;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(6)This€charter€and€all€ordinances€and€resolutions€passed€pursuant€thereto;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(7)Existing€ordinances€and€resolutions€of€the€former€City€of€Macon€and€existing€ordinancesÏand€resolutions€of€the€former€County€of€Bibb€not€in€conflict€with€this€charter.Ðh+¸&*(#(# ЇòòSECTION€8-102óó.Ð ° ÐÌLimitation€on€Claims€and€Service.€(a)All€contractual€claims€against€the€unified€government€shallÏbe€presented€within€12€months€after€they€accrue€or€become€payable€or€the€same€as€claimed,€unlessÏheld€by€minors€or€other€persons€laboring€under€disabilities,€who€are€allowed€12€months€after€theÏremoval€of€such€disability.ÌÌ(b)Service€on€the€unified€government€of€any€suit,€process,€or€order€of€court€shall€be€served€upon€theÏMayor.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-103óó.Ð è 8  ÐÌTort€and€Nuisance€Liability.€The€tort€and€nuisance€liability€of€the€unified€government€shall€followÏthe€law€and€rules€of€tort€liability€applicable€to€counties€in€Georgia.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-104óó.Ð „Ô  ÐÌConflict€of€Laws.€For€purposes€of€all€applicable€laws,€the€unified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,ÏGeorgia€shall€constitute€a€municipality€and€a€county,€or€both.€€Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€thisÏcharter,€if€a€law€applicable€to€municipalities€and€the€same€or€another€law€applicable€to€counties€areÏin€conflict,€the€law€applicable€to€municipalities€shall€prevail.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-105óó.Ð øH ÐÌCompetitive€Bidding.€All€departments€and€agencies€of€the€unified€government€must€utilizeÏcompetitive€bidding€procedures,€as€specified€in€an€ordinance€of€the€Board,€for€all€purchases€in€excessÏof€an€amount€provided€for€in€an€ordinance€of€the€Board,€unless€such€purchase€shall€be€otherwiseÏapproved€by€six€of€the€nine€Commissioners.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-106óó.Ð l¼ ÐÌExecution€of€Assessments.€Whenever€any€tax€or€special€assessment€is€authorized€or€empowered€toÏbe€levied€or€imposed€by€this€charter€which€is€required€to€be€collected€by€the€unified€government€andÏsuch€is€not€paid€within€the€time€period€specified€by€the€Board€and€no€specific€provision€is€elsewhereÏprovided€in€this€charter€for€its€collection,€then€the€COO€shall€issue€execution€in€the€name€of€Macon„¼Bibb,€Georgia€against€such€person,€firm,€or€entity€liable€therefor€or€property€subject€thereto€for€suchÏsums€as€may€be€due€with€interest€at€the€legal€rate€from€due€date,€and€penalties€and€costs.€The€unifiedÏgovernment€shall€have€the€right€to€enforce€payment€of€such€execution€by€levy€and€sale€as€in€the€caseÏof€county€taxes,€and€the€purchaser€at€such€sale€shall€acquire€the€same€title€and€rights€as€a€purchaserÏat€a€sale€for€county€taxes.€€Executions€issued€by€the€COO€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€and€the€levy€andÏsale€thereunder€shall€be€governed€by€general€law.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-107óó.Ð h+¸&* ЇAuthority€to€Deal€with€Federal€and€State€Agencies.€The€unified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€GeorgiaÏshall€have€the€power€and€authority€to€participate€in,€cooperate€in,€and€take€all€necessary€action€withÏrespect€to€any€and€all€projects,€programs€and€undertakings€of€any€nature€authorized€by€any€statute,Ïrule,€or€regulation€of€the€United€States,€the€State€of€Georgia,€or€any€federal€or€state€agency€orÏinstrumentality,€including€but€not€limited€to€community€development,€highways,€aviation,€aviationÏterminals,€airports,€airport€facilities,€municipal€area€or€regional€development,€sewer€and€sewageÏdisposal,€public€housing,€housing€for€the€aged,€and€transportation€or€mass€transit€or€any€phaseÏthereof;€to€borrow€money€and€issue€promissory€notes,€general€obligation€bonds,€or€revenue€bondsÏor€a€combination€thereof€for€any€such€purposes€in€accordance€with€provisions€of€this€charter;€and€toÏexecute€mortgages€or€deeds€of€trust€in€favor€of€any€federal€agency,€secured€by€property€of€which€theÏunified€government€is€the€legal€or€beneficial€or€equitable€owner,€or€in€favor€of€any€private€agencyÏwhere€the€loan€is€guaranteed€by€a€federal€agency.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-108óó.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌFederal€and€State€Aid.€The€unified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€be€deemed€a€countyÏbut€shall€also€be€deemed€an€incorporated€city€or€municipality€for€the€purpose€of€determining€its€rightÏto€receive€and€for€the€purpose€of€receiving€state€aid€or€grant-in-aid€from€the€state€of€Georgia€or€fromÏthe€United€States€or€from€any€agency€or€instrumentality€thereof€or€from€any€other€source,€public€orÏprivate.€€The€unified€government€shall€be€entitled€to€receive€as€state€aid€or€as€grant-in-aid€from€theÏState€of€Georgia€or€from€the€United€States€or€from€any€agency€or€instrumentality€thereof€or€from€anyÏother€source,€public€or€private,€all€funds€to€which€a€county€is,€or€may€hereafter€be,€entitled,€and€alsoÏall€funds€to€which€an€incorporated€city€or€municipality€is€or€may€be€hereafter€entitled,€and€to€receiveÏthe€same€without€diminution€or€loss€by€reason€of€unification.€€When€state€aid€or€other€grant-in-aidÏis€distributed€to€any€county€on€the€basis€of€population€or€area,€or€both,€then€the€entire€population€andÏthe€total€area€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€considered€in€calculating€and€determining€the€basisÏfor€such€distribution.€€When€state€aid€or€other€grant-in-aid€is€distributed€to€any€county€on€the€basisÏof€rural€area,€rural€road€mileage,€or€rural€population,€or€any€combination€thereof,€then€that€area€ofÏthe€general€services€area€outside€of€the€urban€services€area€or€areas€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shallÏbe€deemed€to€constitute€rural€area,€its€road€mileage€to€constitute€rural€road€mileage,€and€itsÏpopulation€to€constitute€rural€population.€€When€state€aid€or€other€grant-in-aid€is€distributed€to€anyÏincorporated€city€or€municipality€on€the€basis€of€population€or€area,€or€both,€then€the€population€orÏthe€area€of€the€urban€services€area€or€areas€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€be€deemed€the€populationÏand€the€area€used€in€calculating€and€determining€the€basis€of€such€distribution.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-109óó.Ð ô$D # ÐÌBudgets€of€County€Officers€and€Agencies.€All€elected€officers€and€all€agencies€not€under€the€directÏcontrol€and€jurisdiction€of€the€COO€such€as€the€Board€of€Health€and€the€Board€of€Family€andÏChildren€Services,€which€receive€appropriations€from€the€Board,€shall,€on€the€same€date€as€isÏapplicable€to€budgets€submitted€by€department€heads,€submit€to€the€COO€annual€operating€andÏcapital€budget€requests€for€the€ensuing€fiscal€year.€€Such€budget€requests,€after€any€revisions€thereinÏby€the€COO€and€the€Mayor,€shall€be€incorporated€into€the€overall€unified€government€budget€forÐ h+¸&* Ðsubmission€by€the€Mayor€to€the€Board,€which€shall€grant€a€hearing€to€any€such€officer€or€agency€onÏsuch€proposed€budgets.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-110óó.Ð tÄ ÐÌExisting€Pension€Rights€Protected.€(a)Persons€who,€at€the€time€this€charter€takes€effect,€areÏemployed€by€any€office,€department,€board,€commission,€or€agency€of€the€former€City€of€Macon€shallÏretain€all€pension€rights€which€have€accrued€to€them€under€any€existing€pension€system.€Macon„¼Bibb,€Georgia€shall€continue€in€force€and€effect€any€existing€pension€system€for€city€employeesÏcovered€thereby€who€are€employed€by€the€unified€government,€and€the€services€of€such€employeesÏshall€not€be€deemed€to€have€been€interrupted€by€the€adoption€of€this€charter.ÌÌ(b)Persons€who,€at€the€time€this€charter€takes€effect,€are€employed€by€any€office,€department,€board,Ïcommission,€or€agency€of€the€former€County€of€Bibb€shall€retain€all€rights€which€have€accrued€toÏthem€under€any€existing€pension€system.€€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€continue€in€force€and€effectÏany€existing€pension€system€for€county€employees€covered€thereby€who€are€employed€by€the€unifiedÏgovernment,€and€the€services€of€such€employees€shall€not€be€deemed€to€have€been€interrupted€by€theÏadoption€of€this€charter.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-111óó.Ð 4„ ÐÌEstablishment€of€New€Pension€Systems;€Merging€of€Existing€Systems.€The€Board€is€herebyÏauthorized€and€empowered€to€establish€and€maintain€a€new€pension€system€or€pension€systemsÏaffecting€new€employees€and€such€other€employees€as€desire€to€be€covered€thereby€and€to€revise,Ïcombine,€and€consolidate€any€pension€system€in€effect€on€the€effective€date€of€this€charter;€provided,Ïhowever,€that€in€no€event€shall€any€revision,€combination,€or€unification€of€any€existing€pensionÏsystem€in€effect€when€this€charter€is€adopted€result€in€the€curtailment€or€diminishment€of€any€rightÏaccrued€under€any€existing€pension€system€to€any€person€heretofore€employed€by€the€City€of€Macon,ÏBibb€County,€or€of€any€agency€of€such€former€governments.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-112óó.Ð X ¨ ÐÌAmending€Charter.€This€charter€may€be€modified,€rescinded,€changed,€or€amended€by€only€theÏfollowing€methods:ÌÌà0  à(1)An€Act€of€the€General€Assembly€of€Georgia;€orÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)An€ordinance€adopted€by€the€Board€of€Commissioners€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€asÏprovided€for€in€Article€IX,€Section€II,€Paragraph€I€of€the€Constitution€of€the€State€of€Georgia.Ð (#(# ÐÌòòSECTION€8-113óó.Ð )à$( ÐÌFidelity€Bonds.€All€officers€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€both€elected€and€appointed,€shall€execute€suchÐ h+¸&* Ðofficial€bonds€in€such€amounts€and€upon€such€terms€and€conditions€as€the€law€or€the€Board€mayÏrequire.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-114óó.Ð tÄ ÐÌExamples€of€Powers.€The€powers€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia,€shall€include,€but€shall€not€be€limitedÏto,€the€following€powers:ÌÌà0  à(1)Ad€valorem€taxation:€€to€levy,€assess,€and€collect€ad€valorem€taxes€on€all€taxable€property;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)Other€taxes:€€to€levy,€assess,€and€collect€other€taxes€allowed€by€general€law€and€inÏaccordance€therewith;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Business€regulation€and€taxation:€€to€levy,€assess,€and€collect€occupation€taxes€and€toÏlicense€and€regulate€occupations€and€businesses.Ð (#(# ÐÌÓ ÿÿ°ÿÿ°àÓà0  à(4)Appropriations:€€to€make€appropriations€and€expend€funds€for€support€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment€and€any€other€lawful€purpose;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)Debts:€€to€borrow€money€and€issue€bonds€as€authorized€by€general€law;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(6)Property:€€to€own€property€and€interests€in€property;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(7)Gifts:€€to€accept€gifts€and€grants€for€any€purpose€related€to€the€powers€and€duties€of€theÏunified€government€on€such€terms€as€the€donor€may€impose;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(8)Condemnation:€€to€condemn€property€inside€the€unified€government€for€present€or€futureÏuse;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(9)Public€utilities:€€to€acquire,€lease,€operate,€and€dispose€of€public€utilities;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(10)Franchises:€€to€grant€franchises€or€make€contracts€for€public€utilities€and€to€prescribe€theÏconditions€of€such€franchises€and€contracts;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(11)Roadways:€€to€open,€maintain,€improve,€and€close€streets€and€roads€and€to€grantÏfranchises€and€rights€of€way€thereon;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(12)Public€facilities:€€to€acquire,€operate,€and€dispose€of€public€buildings,€public€projects,Ïparks,€cemeteries,€recreational€facilities,€and€other€public€improvements€inside€the€unifiedÏgovernment;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(13)Building€regulation:€€to€regulate€the€building€trades€and€the€construction€of€buildings€andÏto€adopt€and€enforce€building,€housing,€plumbing,€electrical,€gas,€heating,€and€air-conditioningÐ h+¸&* Ðcodes;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(14)Planning€and€zoning:€€to€adopt€land€use€plans€and€exercise€the€power€of€zoning,Ïsubdivision€regulation,€and€the€like;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(15)Police€power:€€to€exercise€the€police€power€for€the€public€safety€and€well-being€of€theÏcitizens€of€the€unified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(16)Roadside€regulation:€€to€prohibit€or€regulate€signs,€billboards,€and€other€items€upon€orÏadjacent€to€streets€and€roads;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(17)Health:€€to€prescribe€and€enforce€health€and€sanitation€standards;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(18)Pollution:€€to€regulate€emissions€which€pollute€the€air€and€water;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(19)Fire€safety:€€to€fix€fire€limits€and€to€prescribe€and€enforce€fire€safety€regulations;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(20)Public€hazards:€€to€provide€for€the€destruction€or€removal€of€public€hazards;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(21)Waste€disposal:€€to€provide€for€and€regulate€the€collection,€disposal,€and€recycling€ofÏgarbage€and€wastes;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(22)Water€and€sewer€fees:€€to€fix€and€collect€water€and€sewer€fees;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(23)Garbage€fees:€€to€fix€and€collect€garbage€fees;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(24)Nuisances:€€to€define€and€provide€for€the€abatement€of€nuisances;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(25)Property€protection:€€to€preserve€and€protect€the€property€of€the€unified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(26)Prisoners:€€to€provide€for€public€work€by€prisoners€and€for€their€confinement;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(27)Animal€control:€to€regulate€or€prohibit€the€keeping€of€animals;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(28)Motor€vehicles:€€to€regulate€the€operation€and€parking€of€motor€vehicles;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(29)Taxicabs:€€to€regulate€vehicles€operated€for€hire€in€the€unified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(30)Pensions:€€to€provide€and€maintain€a€system€of€pensions€and€retirement€for€employees€andÏofficers€of€the€unified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(31)Special€assessments:€€to€levy,€assess,€and€collect€special€assessments€to€cover€the€cost€ofÏpublic€improvements;Ðh+¸&*(#(# Їà0  à(32)Contracts:€€to€enter€into€lawful€contracts€and€agreements;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(33)Agencies:€€to€create,€alter,€or€abolish€departments,€boards,€offices,€commissions,Ïauthorities,€and€agencies€of€the€unified€government€and€to€confer€appropriate€authority€uponÏthem;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(34)Penalties:€€to€provide€penalties€for€violations€of€ordinances€of€the€unified€government;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(35)Police€and€fire€protection:€€to€exercise€the€power€of€arrest€through€appointed€policemenÏand€to€operate€a€fire€department;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(36)Emergencies:€€to€provide€for€the€determination,€proclamation,€and€combating€ofÏemergencies;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(37)Urban€redevelopment:€€to€organize€and€operate€an€urban€redevelopment€program;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(38)Public€transportation:€€to€organize€and€operate€public€transportation€systems;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(39)General€health,€safety,€and€welfare:€€to€define,€regulate,€and€prohibit€any€act,€practice,Ïconduct,€or€use€of€property€which€is€detrimental€to€the€health,€sanitation,€cleanliness,€welfare,Ïand€safety€of€the€inhabitants€of€the€unified€government.Ð (#(# ÐÌòòSECTION€8-115óó.Ð øH ÐÌProvision€of€Services.€When€determining€services€to€be€provided,€the€unified€government€of€Macon„¼Bibb,€Georgia€shall€always€attempt:ÌÌà0  à(1)To€efficiently€allocate€resources€to€increase€the€quality€of€life€for€all€citizens€of€Macon„¼Bibb;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)To€provide€the€highest€quality€services€to€all€citizens€of€Macon„Bibb;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)To€ensure€efficient€utilization€of€community€resources;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(4)To€promote€equity€for€all€citizens€in€the€delivery€of€governmental€services€throughoutÏMacon„Bibb;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(5)To€recognize€and€consider€the€advantages€of€the€provision€of€services€through€contractualÏarrangements€with€other€governments€and€private€enterprises.Ð (#(# ÐÌòòSECTION€8-116óó.Ð )à$( ÐÌHistoric€Items.€It€shall€be€the€responsibility€of€the€unified€government€to€collect,€preserve,€andÐ h+¸&* Ðdisplay€documents€and€other€items€of€historical€significance€to€the€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€County.€ÌÌòòSECTION€8-117óó.Ð ˆØ ÐÌSection€Captions.€The€captions€to€the€several€sections€of€this€charter€are€informative€only€and€areÏnot€be€construed€as€a€part€thereof.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-118óó.Ð $ t ÐÌEffect€of€Repeals.€No€law€heretofore€repealed,€expressly€or€by€implication,€shall€be€revived€by€theÏrepeal€herein€of€the€repealing€Act€or€by€any€provision€of€this€charter€that€disclaims€an€intention€toÏrepeal€or€affect€enumerated€laws.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-119óó.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌSeverability€Clause.€If€any€provision€of€this€charter€or€the€application€thereof€to€any€person€orÏcircumstance€is€held€invalid,€such€invalidity€shall€not€affect€other€provisions€or€applications€of€thisÏcharter€which€can€be€given€effect€without€the€invalid€provision€or€application,€and€to€this€end€theÏprovisions€of€this€charter€are€declared€to€be€severable.ÌÌòòSECTION€8-120óó.Ð  p ÐÌRepeal€of€Conflicting€Laws.€All€laws€and€parts€of€laws€in€conflict€with€this€charter€are€herebyÏrepealed.€ÌÌà@ÊÊ%ìàARTICLE€IXˆÌà@77 ìàTRANSITION€PROVISIONSˆÌÌòòSECTION€9-101óó.Ð €Ð ÐÌSpecial€Election€of€First€Officials.€(a)A€special€election€shall€be€held€on€a€date€fixed€by€the€boardÏof€elections,€but€not€later€than€60€days€following€the€date€of€approval€of€this€charter€as€provided€inÏSection€9-115€of€this€charter,€for€the€purpose€of€electing€the€first€Mayor€and€members€of€the€BoardÏof€Commissioners€of€the€unified€€government.€€The€board€of€elections€shall€publish€notice€of€the€callÏfor€such€election€in€the€newspaper€in€which€the€Bibb€County€Sheriff's€advertisements€appear€at€leastÏ30€days€prior€to€the€date€of€such€election.€€Candidates€may€qualify€until€15€days€before€the€date€ofÏthe€election.ÌÌ(b)In€all€other€respects,€the€election€shall€be€held€in€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€Chapter€2€ofÏTitle€21€of€the€O.C.G.A.,€the€"Georgia€Election€Code."€€Within€30€days€following€the€approval€ofÏthis€charter€as€provided€in€Section€9-115€of€this€charter,€the€Board€of€Elections€of€Bibb€County€shallÏprepare€a€list€of€qualified€voters€for€each€of€the€nine€commission€districts€described€in€Appendix€AÏof€this€charter.€€The€officials€elected€at€such€election€shall€commence€the€term€of€their€office€on€theÐ h+¸&* Ðeffective€date€of€this€charter.ÌÌ(c)The€qualifications€for€office€for€such€initial€election€shall€be€as€prescribed€by€applicableÏprovisions€of€this€charter.ÌÌ(d)Any€elected€official€of€Bibb€County€or€of€any€municipality€lying€wholly€or€partially€therein€andÏwho€is€otherwise€qualified€under€this€charter€shall€be€entitled€to€qualify€and€run€for€an€office€of€theÏunified€government.ÌÌòòSECTION€9-102óó.Ð ü L  ÐÌInitial€Terms€of€Office.€The€initial€terms€of€the€first€Commissioners€of€the€unified€governmentÏelected€from€the€odd-numbered€districts€shall€be€for€four€years.€€The€initial€terms€of€the€firstÏCommissioners€of€the€unified€government€elected€from€even-numbered€districts€shall€be€for€twoÏyears.€€After€the€initial€elections,€all€Commissioners€shall€be€elected€for€four-year€terms.ÌÌòòSECTION€9-103óó.Ð pÀ ÐÌProvision€of€Services€During€Transition.€In€order€to€unify€the€two€governments€and€to€assure€theÏcommon€and€continued€administration€of€services€currently€provided€by€both€the€City€of€Macon€andÏBibb€County,€the€following€procedures€shall€apply:ÌÌà0  à(1)On€the€effective€date€of€the€new€unified€government,€all€services€currently€provided€by€theÏcounty€shall€be€provided€through€the€general€services€area€to€all€residents€of€the€county€andÏall€services€provided€by€the€city€shall€be€provided€through€the€urban€services€area€to€theÏcurrent€residents€of€the€City€of€Macon.€€Assuming€the€continued€availability€of€state€andÏfederal€funds,€these€service€arrangements€shall€apply€until€modified€as€provided€under€theÏprovisions€cited€below;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)€Within€two€years€of€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€the€unified€government€shall€adoptÏa€uniform€residential€rate€for€water€and€sewer€services€throughout€Macon„Bibb.€€During€theÏfirst€year€a€rate€study€shall€be€made,€and€the€equalization€of€rates€shall€be€begun€followingÏcompletion€of€the€rate€study.€€Equalization€of€water€and€sewer€rates€shall€be€completed€withinÏtwo€years€of€the€effective€date€of€this€charter;Ð (#(# ÐÌà0  à(3)Within€four€years€of€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€the€unified€government€shall€adoptÏa€service€delivery€plan€that€includes,€but€is€not€limited€to,€the€following:Ð (#(# ÐÌÓ ÿÿ°€ÿÿ°àÓà0 € à(A)A€capital€improvements€plan€to€provide€water€and€sewer€services€to€all€residents€of€theÏcounty;Ð €(#€(# ÐÌà0 € à(B)An€administrative€mechanism€with€appropriate€status€and€adequate€budget€to€developÏand€implement€a€comprehensive€program€of€human€and€economic€development.€€TheÐ h+¸&* Ðprogram€shall€be€responsible€for€identifying€problems€and€needs€that€exist€in€theÏcommunity€and€for€identifying€and€securing€resources€needed€to€effectively€address€theseÏproblems€and€needs.€€The€program€shall€encourage€efforts€to€enable,€empower,€and€involveÏthe€disadvantaged;€address€the€causes€of€crime;€work€to€enhance€the€quality€of€life€of€allÏcitizens;€and€to€help€ensure€that€the€unified€government€will€be€responsive€to€the€needs€ofÏall€citizens;€andÐ €(#€(# ÐÌà0 € à(C)An€administrative€mechanism€with€appropriate€status€and€adequate€budget€to€developÏand€implement€adequate€parks€and€recreation€programs€that€will€be€available€to€all€citizensÏof€Macon„Bibb;€andÐ €(#€(# ÐÌÓ ÿÿ°ÿÿ°ÐÓà0  à(4)The€unified€government€shall€work€with€due€speed€to€equalize€the€charges€for€all€servicesÏthroughout€the€county.Ð (#(# ÐÌòòSECTION€9-104óó.Ð ˜è  ÐÌProtection€and€Compensation€of€Existing€Employees.€(a)All€full-time€employees€of€the€City€ofÏMacon€and€Bibb€County€and€all€full-time€employees€of€any€department,€office,€or€agency€thereofÏshall,€upon€the€termination€of€said€city€and€county€governments€and€the€inception€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment,€become€employees€of€the€unified€government€or€of€a€department,€office,€or€agencyÏthereof€and€shall€be€assigned€to€duties€as€similar€in€nature€as€may€be€practicable€within€saidÏgovernment.ÌÌ(b)No€permanent€full-time€employee€of€the€City€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County€shall€lose€a€position€orÏsuffer€any€diminution€of€compensation€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter.€€The€definitionÏof€compensation€includes,€but€is€not€limited€to,€salary,€insurance€and€retirement€benefits,€annual€andÏsick€leave,€and€rights€provided€by€a€merit€system.ÌÌ(c)Within€12€months€of€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€the€unified€government€shall€have€begunÏimplementation€of€a€plan€that€ensures€that€all€employees€performing€the€same€functions€and€havingÏthe€same€responsibilities€receive€uniform€compensation€by€the€end€of€the€fourth€€year€of€operationÏof€the€unified€government.€€This€requirement€that€there€be€a€uniform€level€of€compensationÏthroughout€Macon„Bibb€by€the€end€of€the€fourth€year€does€not€require€that€there€be€any€freeze€onÏemployee€compensation.ÌÌ(d)Elimination€of€the€duplication€of€functions€shall€be€addressed€through€attrition€and€reassignment.€ÏTherefore,€no€permanent€full-time€employee€of€theò ò€ó óCity€of€Macon€or€Bibb€County€at€the€time€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðunification€shall€suffer€any€reduction€of€compensation€resulting€from€the€adoption€of€this€charter.ÌÌ(e)No€person€shall€be€appointed€to,€removed€from,€or€in€any€way€favored€or€discriminated€againstÏwith€respect€to€any€position€in€the€unified€government€because€of€race,€gender,€religion,€age,Ïhandicap,€or€national€origin.ÌÐ l+¼&* Ðò òó óòòSECTION€9-105óó.Ð ° ÐÌEffective€Date€of€Charter.€This€charter€shall€become€effective€on€_________€or€upon€the€electionÏof€a€Mayor€and€Board€of€Commissioners€for€Macon„Bibb€and€their€taking€office€as€the€governingÏauthority€of€the€unified€government,€whichever€occurs€last.ÌÌòòSECTION€9-106óó.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌInitial€Budget.€(a)Until€July€1,€(òòyearóó),€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€operate€under€the€funds€remainingÐ  ` Ðfrom€the€fiscal€year€(òòyear€of€unificationóó)€€of€the€combined€budgets€of€the€City€of€Macon€and€BibbÐ ü L  ÐCounty.ÌÌ(b)The€first€full€12€month€budget€of€the€unified€government€(òòdatesóó)€shall€not€exceed€an€amountÐ À  Ðequal€to€the€combined€(òòyearóó)€fiscal€year€general€operating€budgets€of€the€City€of€Macon€and€BibbÐ ¬ü  ÐCounty,€plus€increases€due€to€inflation€as€specified€in€figures€(Consumer€Price€Index)€€from€theÏUnited€States€government,€(but€not€including€capital€road€improvement€and€other€special€revenueÏfunds).ò òÐ pÀ Ðó óÌò òó óòòSECTION€9-107óó.Ð H˜ ÐÌNumber€of€Employees.€From€the€effective€date€of€this€charter€until€(specify€date)€the€total€numberÏof€employees€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia€shall€not€exceed€the€combined€number€of€employeesÏauthorized€for€the€governments€of€the€City€of€Macon€and€Bibb€Countyò ò€ó óon€the€effective€date€of€thisÐ øH Ðcharter€except€as€otherwise€mandated€by€law.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€9-108óó.Ð À ÐÌCooperation€of€Former€Governments.€(a)All€officers,€officials,€and€employees€of€the€former€CityÏof€Macon€and€Bibb€County€shall€cooperate€with€and€assist€the€Mayor,€the€Board,€the€Chief€OperatingÏOfficer,€and€other€officers€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia:ÌÌà0  à(1)In€planning€the€unification€of€departments,€boards,€commissions,€and€agencies€of€saidÏformer€governments€and€in€transferring€the€functions,€duties,€and€responsibilities€of€suchÏdepartments,€boards,€commissions,€authorities,€and€agencies€to€the€appropriate€agencies€of€theÏunified€government€of€Macon„Bibb,€Georgia;€andÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(2)In€all€other€respects€in€order€that€the€transfer€of€the€governments€be€accomplished€in€theÏmost€orderly€manner€possible.€€The€officers€of€the€unified€government€shall€be€entitled€toÏexamine€all€records,€files,€and€other€data€in€the€possession€of€the€former€governments€and€ofÏall€officers,€officials,€employees,€and€departments€thereof.€€The€former€governments€shall,€toÏthe€extent€possible,€provide€working€areas€and€facilities€for€the€officers€of€the€unifiedÏgovernment.Ð (#(# ÐÐ l+¼&* Ð(b)A€schedule€for€activity€during€the€transition€period€is€contained€in€Appendix€B,€attached€to€andÏmade€a€part€of€this€charter.ÌÌò òó óòòSECTION€9-109óó.Ð tÄ ÐÌExisting€Ordinances€and€Resolutions€Con