SB 337: Macon Water Authority Act; electoral districts; change the description

The Macon Water Authority, which serves Macon-Bibb County, elects eight of its nine board members from numbered districts, with a ninth member appointed from the county's governing authority. This bill redraws the boundaries of Districts 1 through 7 using a new map attached as Appendix A, while District 8 continues to cover the whole county. The bill schedules a special election in November 2025 for Districts 5, 6, and 7, sets staggered terms so future elections happen in 2026 (Districts 1, 4, 5, and 8) and 2028 (Districts 2, 3, 6, and 7), and requires nonpartisan elections under existing Georgia election law. It sets elected members' pay at $15,000 a year and the chairperson's pay at $25,000 a year, designates the District 8 member as chairperson, requires at least two board meetings a month, and lets current board members finish their terms under the new district numbering.

• Redraws the boundaries of Districts 1 through 7 used to elect Macon Water Authority board members, based on a new map in Appendix A.
• Schedules a special election for Districts 5, 6, and 7 in November 2025 and sets staggered future election years (2026 and 2028) for the other districts.
• Sets annual salaries at $15,000 for elected board members and $25,000 for the chairperson, paid in monthly installments.
• Designates the board member elected from District 8 as the authority's chairperson.
• Requires the authority to meet at least twice a month instead of whatever lower frequency applied before.
• Allows current board members to keep serving out their existing terms under the newly renumbered districts.

Residents of Macon-Bibb County who vote in Macon Water Authority elections, current and future board members of the authority, the Macon-Bibb County election superintendent who runs the elections, and the county's governing authority, which appoints the ninth board member.

Redrawing the district lines changes which voters elect which board member, potentially shifting representation on the body that oversees Macon-Bibb County's water utility. The new election schedule, pay rates, and meeting requirements also affect how the authority is run day to day.

• Section 1 revises subsection (b) of Section 2 of the Macon Water Authority Act to redescribe Districts 1 through 7 based on the map in Appendix A, keeping District 8 as the whole county.
• Section 1 sets a November 2025 special election for Districts 5, 6, and 7, with the District 5 winner serving one year and Districts 6 and 7 winners serving three years before four-year terms begin.
• Section 1 schedules 2026 elections for Districts 1, 4, 5, and 8 and 2028 elections for Districts 2, 3, 6, and 7, all as nonpartisan elections under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-139.
• Section 1 sets elected members' salary at $15,000 per year and the chairperson's salary at $25,000 per year, paid monthly, plus reimbursement of actual expenses.
• Section 1 names the District 8 member as chairperson and requires the authority to meet at least twice a month.
• Section 2 allows current board members to continue serving their existing terms and treats current districts 1 through 5 as continuing under their new descriptions.

1. 2025-03-13Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• David Lucas (D, SD-26)Primary sponsor

• Macon-Bibb County
• water authority governance
• local elections
• electoral district maps