Warner Robins council adopts FY2026 budget, approves several contracts and backs amicus brief

The Warner Robins City Council unanimously approved the city’s FY2026 budget on June 16 and authorized several agreements and resolutions, including an audit engagement, a natural gas transportation agreement, a Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) master agreement and participation in an amicus brief supporting the city of Milton.

Council members praised staff and finance personnel for the budget process. "We have a great budget," Mayor LaRonda W. Patrick said during the second reading and adoption. Councilman Lawrence noted the council had also "lowered the millage rate this past year," a point he cited in support of the city's fiscal stewardship.

Details and votes: the council carried the second reading and adoption of the FY2026 ordinance after a motion was made on the record. The record shows each item was moved and seconded and that the council approved each motion by voice/raised-hand vote; the meeting minutes state the motions "carried unanimously." The transcript does not include roll-call vote tallies or named yes/no votes.

Other actions approved included: - Authorization for the mayor to execute an engagement with Symphonia for accounting and consulting services. - Authorization for the mayor to execute an engagement letter with Nichols, Cawley and Associates LLC for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 audit; council members thanked the firm for its work. - Authorization for the mayor to execute a natural gas facilities and transportation agreement involving Southern Company Services (agent for Georgia Power Company), the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia and the city, acknowledging terms related to continued firm transportation for Mid Georgia (terms summarized in the agenda packet). - Authorization for the mayor to execute a CHIP master agreement between the city and the Warner Robins Development Authority addressing development along Airmen Boulevard. - A resolution authorizing the city to participate in an amicus brief before the Georgia Supreme Court asking that a court of appeals ruling involving the city of Milton be reversed; the dispute referenced in the meeting involves a prior judgment of $35,000,000 related to a planter placed in a right of way.

What happens next: the budget ordinance and the executed agreements will be reflected in the city's official files and the audit engagement covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The amicus brief will proceed through coordinating counsel at the state level; the transcript records the council’s authorization but not the brief’s final text or additional participating municipalities.

The council completed the consent and business items in a single session and adjourned after closing remarks thanking staff and volunteers.