Innovation, Industry & Involvement – Warner Robins Mayor gives her first State of the City address

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick gave her first ever State of the City address at the Museum of Aviation on March 6, highlighting the city’s achievements, departmental updates, and future initiatives.

“The city of Warner Robins is the best place to live, work, and play in the state of Georgia,” Mayor Patrick said in her opening statement. She has been mayor since May of 2021.

“I knew that from my career experience and my heart for service that I had something to offer for my city, but I didn’t know how much this job would change me,” Patrick said. 

During her campaign, Patrick focused on the three Is: innovation, industry, and involvement, which were the main concepts throughout the address. 

“Our city is growing and progressing with innovative momentum and we’re just getting started,” Patrick said.

During her speech, Patrick discussed various topics. First, she highlighted population growth. Warner Robins has a population of 80,308, a 50% increase since 1990. By 2034, the population will see an additional 25% growth. Warner Robins is now the 11th largest city in the state. 

She also mentioned historic pay raises. Starting pay is $15.50, a 35% increase on top of an existing 10% increase in 2022. 

“We did this because the people you see in this building deserve it. Our salaries were some of the lowest in the state considering the size of our city,” said Patrick, adding later, “We had to do something to make sure our employees know that they are valued.”

Patrick then spoke about how improved teamwork between herself and the Warner Robins City Council was an integral part of the city’s success this past year. 

“We don’t argue. We challenge each other and that’s okay, because that’s what family does. But at the end of the day we bring out the best in each other and that’s why I love them so much,” Patrick said. 

Next was an update on city events coming to Warner Robins. Before Patrick took office, the city only had an Independence Day celebration.

In contrast, Warner Robins will now have 26 official city events in 2024. The International City Experience was added this year, now re-scheduled for May 4 due to inclement weather.

“This is an event that will be a signature event, that allows us to experience different cultures that make up Warner Robins,” Patrick said. 

Moving on to economic development, Patrick informed attendees of the new downtown redevelopment initiative, Operation Reawaken. Before she took office, the city owned less than an acre of Commercial Circle, the downtown district’s proposed location.

Now, that is not the case. 

“In two years and two months, the city now owns 81% of Commercial Circle. Downtown is on its’ way, and there’s nothing that’s gonna get in our way and stop us,” Patrick said. 

Staying on the economy, Patrick also focused on the budget. In 2022, the budget was $147.2 million. In 2023, it went down to $143.8 million, but that was by choice, she mentioned.

In 2024, the budget sits at $165 million. Why such a huge jump?

“We were able to find money and apply it to the budget instead of overbuilding our reserve. Also bringing in more revenue to make sure that we were able to give the raises where the raises were due. We did this without raising taxes,” Patrick explained. 

Patrick also mentioned the general fund, which increased by 9% from 2022 to 2023. Expenditures increased by 6%, while general fund transfers decreased by 8%. 

“What this means is, we’re doing good. That means that we’re making more money than we’re spending. We were able to keep the profits where they were and transfer 8% less than we traditionally transfer to operating accounts, which is all good,” Patrick said. 

The gap between the revenues and expenditures in the general fund decreased by 28%, she mentioned.

Mayor Patrick then highlighted the affordability of health insurance for the employees of Warner Robins. 

“We have one of the best outside of the federal government when it comes to health insurance policies. For our employees, single coverage is only $50 dollars a month, and for a family is only $90 a month,” Patrick said. 

Patrick also mentioned public safety upgrades, such as a new surveillance system and university partnerships with Wesleyan University and the University of Georgia College of Engineering. 

“[University of Georgia Engineers] are actually the ones who are doing our blueprints for the infrastructural design for the new downtown, so another saving to our tax dollars,” Patrick said. 

Patrick ended the speech mentioning future parks and recreation upgrades. These include the INNOLAB, a community innovation lab awaiting approval from the city council.

Other upgrades include the Community Activity Center, Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and a new amphitheater. 

The next day, Patrick and department heads discussed various topics during the Robins Regional Chamber’s Eggs and Issues. Look for coverage of the event in a future edition of The Houston Home Journal.

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