Can Bibb County enforce a mask mandate?

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)-- Businesses may not be the only ones requiring masks in Bibb County now.

For 41nbc news at 6:00.

I'm shelby coates.

Tucker sargent will join us shortly.

Our top story tonight at 6... macon-bibb commissioners passed an emergency ordinance that now requires residents to wear a mask in public.

41nbc's peyton lewis has more on the new requirement... and if it can be enforced.

In a meeting last night, bibb county commissioners discussed making masks mandatory.

"it's just the thing that we really need to do to keep as many people as we can healthy moving forward."

Sheriff david davis says a mask mandate would be unenforceable.

"the lineation of authority from the governor down to the sheriff is hard for me to enforce a contradictory local ordinance that goes against what the governor has already ordered."

The mayor's office has been working closely with the sheriff, to find a way to enforce mask-wearing in public.

The proposed mandate states that anyone caught not wearing a mask in public, be fined $25 for the first offense, 50 for the second and 100 for the third.

Sheriff davis says his officers will not patrol to look for people not wearing a mask, but will educate the community when necessary.

"from a public safety and a public health standpoint, we'll certainly advocate for people to wear a mask and encourage people to wear a mask when they're out interacting with each other in public."

Mayor robert reichart will have 10 days to pass or veto the proposal.

If passed, it will go into effect immediately.

If vetoed, commissioners can revote and overrule the mayor.

Bibb county public affairs representative, chris floore, says mayor reichart is watching the fulton county superior court closely.

"today he's been talking with the sheriff about how this could potentially be enforced if it could be, as well as looking for guidance from the courts in regards to the governor getting involved with the city of atlanta to determine if this order would even stand, should the courts side with governor kemp."

Floore says the mayor has not hinted as