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Robins City Council approves budget hearings, hires bond adviser, OKs tax abatement; tables permit fee changes
Summary
At its March 16 meeting, the Robins City Council set FY2027 budget hearings, approved an engagement with Speer Financial for bond advisory services, granted a three-year tax abatement for 3040 Eagle View Court, approved a plat amendment, and tabled building permit fee corrections for further review.
The Robins City Council on March 16 approved a series of procedural and fiscal items that set the calendar and policy work for the coming budget year. The council set public hearings for the property tax levy (April 6, 2026) and the FY2027 municipal budget and a FY2026 budget amendment (both April 20, 2026), authorized an engagement letter with Speer Financial to advise on potential general-obligation bond issuance, approved a three-year tax abatement for improvements at 3040 Eagle View Court under Ordinance No. 2303 (Robins Urban Revitalization Area), and approved the preliminary and final plat for Crestview Acres Sixth Addition as amended. The Council tabled proposed corrections to the city’s building permit fee tables for additional staff review.
The actions were taken by recorded roll-call votes. Highlights include:
- Consent agenda (minutes and bills): motion by Councilor Leigh Cook, second by Councilor Cary Smith; roll call 5-0 in favor.
- Resolution No. 0326-3 (set public hearing on FY2027 municipal budget for April 20, 2026): motion by Councilor Leigh Cook, second by Councilor Leslie Hoyt; passed 5-0.
- Resolution No. 0326-4 (engagement letter with Speer Financial, Inc.): motion by Councilor Cary Smith, second by Councilor Bruce Vander Sanden; passed 5-0.
- Resolution No. 0326-5 (three-year tax abatement for property at 3040 Eagle View Court under Ordinance No. 2303): motion by Councilor Mike Foley, second by Councilor Leslie Hoyt; passed 5-0.
- Resolution No. 0326-6 (updates to building permit fee tables): after staff discussion and Council questions about specific fee levels and implied consent on permit applications, Councilor Mike Foley moved and Councilor Leigh Cook seconded to table the resolution until April 6, 2026, to allow additional staff review; motion carried 5-0.
- Resolution No. 0326-7 (preliminary and final plats for Crestview Acres Sixth Addition): Council amended the resolution to remove the word “dedication” (motion by Councilor Cary Smith, second by Councilor Bruce Vander Sanden) and then approved the amended resolution (motion by Councilor Leigh Cook, second by Councilor Mike Foley); final vote 5-0.
- Resolution No. 0326-8 (set public hearing for Amendment No. 2 to the FY2026 budget): motion by Councilor Leigh Cook, second by Councilor Bruce Vander Sanden; passed 5-0. City Clerk Lisa Goodin said the amendment covers items budgeted in FY2025 but not spent, including the Robins Landing park land purchase and the Indian Creek sewer upgrade.
Council also directed staff to draft a resolution on FY2027 employee benefit renewals for consideration on April 6 (motion by Councilor Mike Foley, second by Councilor Leigh Cook). No votes were taken on policy changes at this meeting.
During public comment, resident Jim Ketchum asked the council to restore the speed limit on Tower Terrace Road from 35 mph to 45 mph and requested the matter be placed on a future agenda. Mayor Chuck Hinz closed the meeting at 7:18 p.m.; there were no further formal actions.
Next steps: the Council will consider the drafted benefits-resolution, hold the scheduled public hearings on April 6 and April 20, 2026, and resume consideration of tabled items at those times.
