Warner Robins creates task forces, joins SPLOST

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — In addition to announcing a substantial raise for city employees, Warner Robins City Council covered even more ground at its community meeting on July 31.

The biggest announcement of the day was the last item on the agenda: a pay increase for city employees, ranging from 5% for their highest earners, up to 35% for lower grades.

As previously reported, multiple employees and members of council showed gratitude but the city had more business to attend to. Also at the meeting was the creation of multiple task forces, with unique roles in the city’s government, along with agreements and ordinances.

The first created was a blight task force, in response to community input, as explained by Mayor LaRhonda Patrick. As Georgia’s 11th largest city, and still growing, the task force will be comprised of citizens appointed by mayor and council.

The public is also invited to participate in task force meetings. As the eyes and ears of the community, they will advise the council in ongoing issues and recommend paths to alleviate blight.

“We want to make sure we’re working to make sure our city stays beautiful and that we allow our constituents, our citizens, to be a part of that picture, because they’ve asked,” Patrick said.

Next up was a clergy task force. Composed of nine members, the task force will consist of religious leaders from varied backgrounds, who will discuss and provide solutions to council.

“We’ve had some interest meetings for the clergy task force earlier this year, which was tremendously successful,’ Patrick explained. “But now we want to organize as a true task force and select members who will be a part of that core planning team.”

Similarly, clergies who are interested are invited to participate in meetings.

Finally, council approved a new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Having previously worked on the former Parks and Rec Advisory Board, Councilman Keith Lauritsen spoke to the organization’s significance for citizens who want to get involved, expressing excitement in bringing the board back.

“These boards are important, because we do important work through them. But they also bring opportunities for those who are interested in running for office to get involved and be more involved in the business of the city,” Lauritsen said.

The city also approved a change to the code of ordinances regarding food trucks, just in time for their upcoming food truck event on Aug. 17.

“This ordinance in itself is an effort to make Warner Robins far more accessible to these mobile food vendors, so we can have these great food truck events and have food trucks set up at multiple events across the city,” Councilman Kevin Lashley said.

Finally, the city also entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the county and cities of Centerville and Perry for the disbursement of the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for 2024. If approved by voters in November, tax revenue is expected to be about $200 million. Warner Robins would receive just over 53 million, mainly set for recreation, facility renovation, public safety, public works, road and sidewalk projects, as well as water and sewer projects.

Mayor Patrick, Councilman Lauritsen and Councilman Charlie Bibb spoke in favor of SPLOST, with the mayor mentioning she would advocate for a future Transportation SPLOST fund for road projects and maintenance.

After new business, the community council meeting was adjourned. The next Warner Robins Council Meeting will be Aug. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at 700 Watson Boulevard.

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