Warner Robins unveils FY2027 budget proposal, proposes 13.8‑mill rate and new investments to rebuild reserves and address deferred maintenance

City Administrator James Drinker told the Warner Robins City Council on June 1 that the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget aims to balance operations without tapping reserves and to rebuild the city’s reserve fund over three years, requiring about $4.34 million a year to reach the recommended level. Drinker said the plan also prioritizes long‑deferred maintenance on roads, pipes and public facilities and includes a cost‑of‑living increase for city employees after a year with no raises.

"We wanted to put an end to pulling funds from reserve," Drinker said during a detailed presentation to the council and public. He pointed to sharply higher input costs — including a 68% jump in asphalt, about 60% increases in pipe costs and a 43% hike in the price the city pays the county for bulk water — combined with slower property tax digest growth as the main fiscal pressures shaping FY2027.

Under the proposal, the general fund’s budgeted expenditures total $86,862,321. Drinker reported a total city budget of $184,866,680 across funds, and said capital projects and enterprise funds add materially to the city’s work plan. He highlighted one upcoming capital item: a proposed complete renovation of Simpson Pey Park estimated at roughly $3.2 million, which he said would come back to council as a separate agenda item.

Drinker outlined capital and operating initiatives that carry specific price tags, including a $300,000 blight remediation fund, a grappler truck priced at $217,000 to assist public works and code enforcement, recurring equipment replacement for police and fire (tasers, thermal cameras, SCUBA and radios), and a program to replace aging residential water meters to improve billing accuracy.

The draft budget is based on a millage rate of 13.8 mills, a 4.85‑mill increase from the prior year in the city’s presentation. Drinker said the city’s portion of the rate is reduced in parts of Hston County by a newly approved SPLOST, and he estimated the typical Warner Robins home value (about $211,000) could see an increase of roughly $111 annually under the proposal.

Council conducted a first reading of the FY2027 budget ordinance on June 1. Drinker said the full proposed budget is available on the city website and that the council scheduled a second public hearing for June 9 at noon; final adoption is set for the June 15 meeting.

Council members praised staff work on the budget and emphasized the need to restore and protect infrastructure. Councilman Lawrenson noted the council would consider a 2.5% employee pay increase during the adoption process. The public hearing held earlier in the afternoon produced no comments on the budget.

What happens next: The council will hold a second public hearing on the budget at noon June 9 and is scheduled to consider adoption on June 15.