Warner Robins Mayor speaks on city’s progress, future at State of the City address: ‘Excited about what’s ahead.’

WARNER ROBINS — The past, present and future were in focus for the city of Warner Robins, as the mayor delivered her State of the City address Wednesday morning at the Museum of Aviation.

Addressing city employees, community partners, and the public, Mayor LaRhonda Patrick focused her address on the city’s unity, progress, and innovation, illustrating Warner Robins’ journey from its past to its future.

She opened her remarks by expressing gratitude for the support she received throughout her first term and during her 2025 reelection.

“Your confidence in me during the November election really was empowering and humbling for me, and it really goes to show how much difference we’re making in our city. Public service is built on trust, and I vow to continue working for your trust each and every day,” she said.

Patrick continued by highlighting recent initiatives, including ongoing development in Commercial Circle, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Haven Hope House, and the city’s InnoLab. She added that, internally, the city was working to foster open communication between departments.

”These accomplishments represent more than just milestones. They reflect vision, perseverance and what is possible when a community unites for a shared purpose,” she said.

When she took office in 2022, Patrick said the city faced challenges: underpaid staff, understaffed departments, an IRS tax lien, overdue audits, and outdated software.

In her first term, the city resolved the tax lien and audits, raised city employee pay, increased police staffing by nearly 25%, nearly fully staffed the fire department, and began upgrading to a cloud-based system.

On the community front, Patrick pointed out that the city also struggled with blighted buildings, a growing homeless population, and only one community event.

Operation Reawaken cleared blighted buildings, new vision renderings were shared, and city events expanded to about 22 annually, drawing up to 20,000 people for Independence Day.

To address homelessness, Patrick said the city has built the Haven Hope House, a shelter she described as a place where people can transform their lives and become better citizens.

The police launched a Real-Time Crime Center and plan to unveil a training center. Two firefighters were recognized statewide for their achievements.

Patrick said the city’s partnership with Ed Farm opened the InnoLab, which offers technology training for all ages.

On upcoming projects, she also provided updates on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, saying it is in the design process and that the city will move dirt later this year.

The city also plans to renovate Simpson Peavy Park for the National Little League and has launched a new website, app, and branding standards.

Looking forward, Patrick reiterated her focus on unity, progress, and innovation by emphasizing enhanced city services to make citizen interactions more positive and connected.

“Whenever you come in contact with a city employee, city staff member, we want you to feel pleased, taken care of, happy and joyous. So, we’re going to be intentional with every single department, making sure we drive that mission home, so that you all are happy about the service you receive from us,” she said.

Patrick said she intends to expand the number and reach of city events and to implement programs over the next year designed to strengthen citizens’ sense of community.

“Tensions are really high right now across our nation. I know [with] election season, things are getting crazy, things are happening, and it is not always a nice feeling on the inside, but this is not the time for us to divide. We have to unite and be one, because that’s what our founding fathers wanted,” she said.

Addressing infrastructure, Patrick spoke about plans to tackle traffic concerns, announcing that the city is planning a shuttle service for essential errands, such as work, doctor’s appointments, or grocery shopping.

Patrick noted new townhomes on Airmen Boulevard, a possible downtown master plan, and upgrades to Perkins Park as key economic development efforts.

She emphasized that many of the developments are planned with the future in mind, laying a strong foundation for growth.

“Smart leadership always looks beyond now, and that’s one thing I can tell you about all six of these council members. They’re really dedicated to looking at the future, even a future that may be for our children, our grandchildren, that we won’t see,” she said.

To further plan for the future, Patrick said the city will work on a comprehensive plan and encouraged citizen input. She also mentioned a youth council and an international council, where younger residents and citizens of all backgrounds can make their voices heard.

In closing, Patrick thanked her family, council, city sponsors, Robins Air Force Base, veterans and civilians. She affirmed that, as far as Warner Robins is concerned, she and the council are in it together, working tirelessly to build a better city.

“Council and I are so excited about what’s ahead,” she said. “We’ve worked so hard to get to where we are today, and the best part about it is that we’ve had so much fun doing it. We work together. I support them, and they support me, and you all support us. So that means we’re in this thing together.”

See the full state of the city address on the city’s Facebook.