Macon officials plan to open talks with those of Bibb County about the possibility of consolidation of city and county governments. Macon mayor Robert Reichert says the election of a new county commission chairman is opening the door on discussions. He says incoming chair Sam Hart is open to the idea of consolidation, unlike his predecessor Charlie Bishop. A recent survey of city and county residents showed 49-percent in favor of the idea--it was more popular with city residents. Examples of merged city-county governments in the state include Augusta-Richmond, and Columbus-Muscogee.
