Each week this month, leading up to the July 31st vote, we will take a closer look at the proposed law to consolidate the city of Macon and Bibb County to answer your questions on the major sticking points.
This week, we look at how law enforcement will be consolidated.
There are four candidates for Bibb County sheriff: Chief Deputy David Davis, retired Captain Albert Hall, and former corrections officer Bill Lucas are Democrats.
There is also a Republican candidate, Macon's former interim Public Works Director Shawn Fritz.
Sheriff, voted on by all Bibb County residents, would be the law enforcment leader of the new consolidated government.
Both the Macon Police Department and the Bibb County Sheriff's Office have their own command structure made up of majors, captains, lieutenants and sergeants.
We wondered, if consolidation is supposed to be more efficient in providing services, won't people lose their jobs?
Section 31 paragraph C addresses this issue:
"It is the intent of the General Assembly that as many employees of Bibb county, the city of Macon, and Payne City as feasible shall continue in the same or a substantially equal position with at least the same salary and benefit level, where possible within budget constraints, after the consolidation is complete."
But Section 30 states that the commission, not the sheriff, is given the authority to use all property and personnel of both the police and sheriff's departments to protect the lives and property of Macon-Bibb citizens.
The commission may also "reorganize, combine, consolidate, or discontinue any department of agency of the restructured government. ... and may establish, abolish or alter all nonelective offices and positions of employment as necessary."
All of this must be done by ordinance, meaning it is subject to approval by the commission.
The legislation also requires that the integration process of the two departments be "seamless and cooperative."
What is not in the law is exactly how this will be achieved.
Click here to view all 41 pages of the consolidation legislation.