Warner Robins council adopts ordinance to double council pay to $20,000, effective 2026

The Warner Robins City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance on Oct. 21 to increase annual council salaries from $10,000 to $20,000, with the raise scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Councilman Lawrenson presented the second-reading ordinance amending section 2-8-a and moved for adoption; the motion was seconded and carried without recorded opposition. Mayor Loronda Patrick defended the change, saying the city’s growth and expanded responsibilities justified higher pay for council service. “City of Warner Robins has grown so much…We are now the eleventh largest city in our entire state,” Mayor Patrick said, arguing that pay lagged behind comparable municipalities.

Supporters said the adjustment is intended to compensate members for the time and workload of public service and to make the positions more sustainable for residents who cannot otherwise afford lengthy unpaid civic commitments. Council members noted the ordinance was posted as required and will not become effective until Jan. 1, 2026, allowing time for transition and public notice.

The ordinance cites notice published in local papers and references state-advertising requirements; the text states that if any provision is held invalid, other provisions remain in effect. No amendment was offered during the meeting and council members voted to adopt the ordinance as presented.

Next steps: the ordinance’s effective date is listed as Jan. 1, 2026, in the ordinance text. The council did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript beyond unanimous vocal assent during the vote.