On Monday, August 16, Warner Robins Mayor and Council came together in its regular chambers to hold its second biweekly meeting for the month of August. The meeting began promptly at 5:30 p.m. and featured several items pertinent to the city, including a department head appointment for the Department of Community and Economic Development, an interim appointment for the Department of Finance, as well as multiple oridnance approvals and their Consent Agenda. After a prayer led by Councilman Derek Mack and a Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Larry Curtis, this meeting began in earnest with the approval of last meeting’s minutes.
An addition to their agenda, mayor and council briefly discussed the appointment of a new department head for the newly created Department of Community and Economic Development. This department was created a few short months ago after the evaporation of two pre-existing departments, the Department of Economic Development, and the Department of Community Development, something that remains controversial as previous Economic Development Department Head Gary Lee is still within the beginning phases of developing a civil suit against the city. Nonetheless, after brief deliberation on removing City Administrator David Corbin as interim department head, Kate Hogan was appointed as his permanent replacement by a unanimous vote on the council’s part. Hogan has worked within Houston County for many years, working as the Assistant Project Manager for the Development Authority for Houston County, and then since October of 2016, Hogan has worked as Director of Economic Development for the City of Centerville.
“I’m really excited,” Hogan said. “Serving the residents of Houston County is not unique to me, I’m excited to continue the great work I started in the City of Centerville, for the City of Warner Robins and its residents. I’m excited to engage Warner Robins over the next few years.” Additionally, Hogan noted that she’s not daunted by Warner Robins’ combination of Departments. “The way the City of Centerville has been working, we’ve been running Economic Development and Community Development seamlessly together. It really goes so well together as complimentary pieces. I’m excited to continue the great work of Sherri Windham and really start to capitalize on what economic development could be in Warner Robins. We’ve got a lot of things on the horizon.”
Moving on, the council was also forced to appoint someone to take over as interim department head for the Warner Robins Department of Finance. Theresa Thorton put in her resignation just the week before, and the city has yet to find a suitable replacement. In the meantime, the city has appointed Corbin to run the department in a permanent department head’s absence.
In addition to these major items, the city also discussed and approved multiple ordinances as well as all the items on their consent agenda including Purchasing Bids, a resolution for the city’s surplus property, a resolution the renew the city’s preexisting Workers Comp and Loss Control Consulting Services, employee promotions, and home occupation permits. The city also approved multiple General Fund Transfers items and held a brief discussion of the Tabor Drive Area.
After each of the agenda’s major items was discussed, the meeting moved into council member comments, and then mayor comments. After each spoke briefly, the meeting was brought to adjournment.
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