Macon-Bibb Commission Calls March 2027 OLOST Renewal Referendum
MACON, Georgia – The Macon-Bibb County Commission has voted to put the Other Local Option Sales Tax, known as OLOST, back before voters in a March 2027 renewal referendum, the county government announced Friday.
If voters approve the renewal, the sales tax stays at its current rate. County officials say that money keeps property taxes lower.
What the OLOST does
Voters approved the OLOST with what the county calls overwhelming support. It added a one-cent sales tax in Macon-Bibb County. With that penny, the consolidated government cut the millage rate by more than 50%, from 20.331 to 9.575.
The tax requires a public vote to continue. The commission’s action sets that vote for March 2027.
Last fiscal year, the OLOST brought in $44,529,843 for government operations. If voters do not renew the penny, the county would have to raise the millage rate 6.36 mills to collect the same amount, according to the county.
“With the OLOST and more effective use of our other funding sources, we have been able to both reduce property taxes and increase the budgets for community-identified priorities,” Mayor Lester Miller said.
Where the money has gone
Mayor Lester Miller took office in 2021. The county says funding has grown in several areas since then:
- Public safety: $31,706,734
- Recreation: $3,344,268
- Beautification: $1,882,418
- Information technology: $3,874,469
- Employee salaries and benefits: $22,706,610
The county also says it identified funding and put it to better use for new initiatives. Those include affordable housing, blight remediation, the Macon Violence Prevention program, Macon Mental Health Matters and Paving the Way.
The county’s announcement did not list the exact March election date.
