County hears from Assembly Warner Robins, concur with annexation

WARNER ROBINS — Houston County Commissioners heard from Pastor Darrell Yarborough at Tuesday’s meeting. Yarborough has been the pastor of The Assembly Warner Robins for seven years. He has three daughters, with one already married and one getting married this Saturday. 

“My youngest got married first, the middle one is getting married this weekend and the oldest is still at home and doing well,” he said. 

He shared that we are all blessed in a lot of ways and those must have perspective on one’s life. 

“It’s a joy to be able to get up and get out of my house today; it’s a joy to be able to drive my car, walk, be in a free country and go anywhere in this country I want to go that I can afford to go,” he said. 

Yarborough said we forget these blessings due to centering ourselves on things that are out of our control, and will allow God to handle those things outside of his control. 

“There’s a lot of things we can look at in the city, state or nation that we disagree with, but a  lot of times we need to look around at the blessings and the common good we have together,” he said. “I do believe God orders every step, and I believe we need his blessings.”

In the agenda, commissioners discussed an annexation request from the City of Perry totaling 19.7 acres on Airport Road. The agenda said the request was presented to the Board in March 2025, and was concurred at an April meeting last year. 

Perry City Council denied the request at the June 17, 2025, meeting. It will now go through that same process again, and it will be awaiting the city council’s decision. 

A concerned citizen spoke against the request, saying that he does not want to see what is assumed to be townhomes coming near Airport Road. He said that a development like this does not fit on that road. 

He suggests making the property something more inclusive, like a park.  The citizen said they need fewer “concrete jungles” and more open spaces. 

“Let’s create an environment where our kids can flourish and learn,” he said. “I’m suggesting if you grow up in a home, you have a better chance, I think, of success in life because you’ve had opportunities and space.” 

Commissioner Tal Talton said he respects the citizens’ concerns, but added the request meets the requirements for concurrence. 

“What happens to this property lies with the City of Perry,” Talton said. 

County Attorney Tom Hall said the Board cannot control what happens to this property. He said there are no grounds in this request to non-concur and go through arbitration. 

The Board concurred with a vote of 3-1. Commissioner Shane Gottwals voted against. 

The next Houston County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 9 a.m., located at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry. The full agenda can be found at: www.houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2026-04-21%20Department%20Heads.pdf