WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — People asked during this week's council meeting and on Facebook how city leaders can give themselves a raise.
Under the Georgia Home Rule Act 1965, municipal government officials can vote on their own salary, but can't get the raise until after the next election cycle. That means the Warner Robins raise won't take effect until January 2026, as they've advertised.
With money on the mind, people also questioned the salary for the newly appointed city administrator. The city will pay James Drinkard $200,000 to run city operations.
Some people pointed out that it's more than Governor Brian Kemp's salary. This is true, according to the state's open records site. It says Kemp makes $180,000 a year.
"The big picture is public servants, we receive public funds. We don't get paid the amount that our job requires, including the governor, including uh congress, including us senators, including um you know, local public servants such as mayors, city council members," Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said.
Patrick says that isn't the same for a position like city administrator. She based on research and advise from consultants, their original hiring salary was too low.
"The number that we settled on is still lower than many that we are compared to when it comes to how much they're paying their city administrator and city managers," Patrick said.
We asked cities with similar populations what their officials salaries are paid, just like we did for council.
In Johns Creek and Sandy Springs, their managers or administrators are paid over 200 thousand dollars.
- Johns Creek $243,992
- Sandy Springs $291,500
Some people felt, this comparison was unfair, saying those cities have more money. Although, Johns Creek has a smaller 2025 budget than Warner Robins.
We checked out cities who have smaller or similar budgets to the International City.
Warner Robins 2025 budget is about $159.7 million.
One of the closest is Alpharetta, their 2025 budget is slightly larger sitting at $163.5 million but their administrator is paid $270,400.
The City of Griffin's 2025 budget is $146 million. Their 2024 salary was $151,000.
According to 2022 data from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs some smaller cities still have largely paid city administrators or managers.
Peachtree Corners
- Budget: $62 million
- Max Salary: $250,000
Thomasville
- Budget: $135 million
- Max Salary: $262,000
Conyers
- Budget: $26.2 million
- Max Salary: $199,200
So several cities across Georgia offer city managers and administrators more than the governor.