WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The first of many budget conversations across Central Georgia kicked off in Warner Robins Monday night.
The city is planning a $159.7 million budget for 2025. That's down from 2024's $165 million budget. Mayor Patrick says they are spending less in Special Projects and Capital Improvements.
If you look at the budget debrief, you may notice that total revenue is listed as around $145 million, which looks like the city isn't bringing in enough revenue to support its newly proposed budget.
However, in Monday's hearing, they explained there is money from grants, SPLOST dollars and other funding not shown that will make up the difference.
The city says they're budgeting for many things like new positions, and special initiatives like potential technology and customer service improvements.
"On the whole, our budget is very sound. It shows that our city is constantly moving in the right direction," Post 4 Councilman Kevin Lashley shared.
He says they are preparing for growth by backing public safety.
"Making sure that we are getting the appropriate people in leadership with public safety, with the fire departments and the police departments," he shared.
Monday night, the council voted to reinstate their Police Major Position. That rank would fall between a Police Captain and an Interim Police Chief. In return, they needed to adjust their pay scale, which will take effect with the passing of the new budget.
$36 million dollars is headed to public safety, while $3 million is headed to Recreation.
"I wanted to see a gymnasium built on the south side of town. It's much needed on that side of town," Post 5, Councilman Clifford Holmes said.
Holmes says they may be able to start planning this through their new budget. However, many people in the crowd came to hear about more than projects.
"I am here today to implore you to roll back the millage rate," Sarah Gilbert took the podium to share.
She and others wanted updates on ways to help people's wallets.
"It's my prayer that we can help out as a city or local entity by rolling back the millage rate this time," Councilman Keith Lauritsen said during the council meeting.
The city's millage rate is set at 9.98 mills. It's been that way since 2017. Several leaders shared that it's likely time for a switch-up.
"As long as it doesn't jeopardize our ability to deliver the services needed to keep Warner Robins up and going," Holmes shared.
On Monday, the budget did not reflect the city's intent to roll back the millage rate. Mayor Patrick shared they found out about the property value increases at the same time as the public.
"Though we wish we could have had more notice that this was going to occur, so that we could have already put it inside of our budget, we're rolling with the punches," Patrick shared.
Rolling back the rate would keep the taxes you pay to the city of Warner Robins roughly the same, and the Mayor says it is feasible.
"We have money in our enterprise funds. Over $50 million if you heard the numbers today. We have money in our reserves, so we have things we can do to make the difference up," she shared.
Council reminded the public several times that the city is not responsible for the property reassessments, however, they can find ways to try to aid, like doing a possible rollback.
Lashley says in the future he'd like to look at other ways for the city to bring in revenue.
"Looking at either like a municipal option sales tax of one percent or renegotiating our Local Option Sales Tax with the Board of Education, and make it mutually beneficial for us, the Board and the County. Even if we all got one percent of that three percent of what comes into the local area, that would make a big difference and help all of the property owners in those assessments for every year," he said.
The city's next hearing is next Monday June 10th at noon. City leaders are also urging people to attend the county's public budget hearing Tuesday June 4. That's at 9:00 a.m. in the Perry Courthouse on Perry Parkway.