WARNER ROBINS — The city council discussed a possible salary increase, accountability on donated land around Bay Gall Creek and celebrated Burger Week at the last Warner Robins council meeting on Oct. 7.

At Monday’s meeting, the city first read the ordinance doubling the city council’s annual salaries from $10,000 to $20,000. Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said the council’s salary has been in place for many years and is lower than other cities.

“The compensation we ask for justifies the amount of work the council puts in and when compared to other cities, larger, the same size or smaller, we rank extremely low in terms of annual compensation for our council members. advice,” Patrick said.

According to U.S. Census data, Warner Robins falls between Roswell and Johns Creek in terms of population. Roswell, which ranks slightly higher, currently pays $18,000 a year, according to its municipal code. Johns Creek pays $15,000 a year, according to its municipal code.

Closer to home, Macon-Bibb County, which is larger than Warner Robins in population, pays each commissioner $15,000 a year, according to its code.

Mike Hatcher, a concerned citizen, spoke out against the wage increases.

“Generally, when an employee wants a salary increase, they will talk to their employer. The City Council’s employer is the citizens of Warner Robins, who voted for you to fill the seats you sit in,” Hatcher said.

He went on to say that the council should talk with citizens to determine if and how much a salary increase is deserved.

“Rather than having a legislature pass a pay raise itself, I think you need to take it back to the citizens, put it on the agenda when you’re up for re-election again and see what the citizens of Warner say Robins,” Hatcher said.

Leslie Wilson also voiced opposition to the wage increases, saying her neighborhood had seen services cut and shifted responsibility for maintaining a ditch to the area. She also said citizens must now bag leaves and mow grass previously handled by the city.

She suggested the money raised could be used differently and that increases should be considered once maintenance issues are resolved.

The second reading and possible adoption will take place at the October 21 meeting. According to city documents, the salary increases would take effect January 1, 2026.

Also during the council meeting, council denied the land transfer for 2.74 acres of property at Kirkwood Circle near Bay Gall Creek.

City Attorney Julia Mize said at the pre-council meeting that the expanse of land, if flooded, would affect 18 property owners. She also mentioned that maintenance around Bay Gall is more expensive, given that it is a state waterway subject to federal regulation.

Councilman Clifford Holmes spoke against transferring the land, concerned about potential liability, and Councilor Derek Mack wanted to know if the city had data on past flooding.

Councilman Kevin Lashley said flooding would be a problem regardless of the level of maintenance the city does. Mize added that when the property becomes city property, the city assumes potential liability.

Hatcher spoke in favor of the land transfer. Hatcher said the city owns much of the creek alongside the county and private owners. He said he lived near Bay Gall Creek and was affected by flooding.

He suggested more land ownership around Bay Gall Creek, saying accepting the land transfer would give the city more flexibility in maintaining the creek.

“If we continue to drag our feet and we’re not going to own these things, we’re not going to take responsibility for what’s ours, and we’re not going to help the citizens that live around it, so everything that’s going to be What’s going to happen is (the creek) is going to continue to deteriorate around areas that are not owned by the city and that’s going to continue to cause more flooding issues,” Hatcher said.

Jim Taylor also spoke before council, saying he believes maintenance around Bay Gall Creek is limited due to EPD guidelines. He questioned why the city would consider taking responsibility if it already owned much of the creek.

“Yes, there is a liability issue in everything, but I don’t think two and a half acres is going to increase the liability to the city that will significantly decline the donation of this property,” Taylor said.

Also on the agenda for the council meeting was the closing of the city’s first Burger Week, which took place September 22-28. Community Development Director Kate Hogan described the event as an opportunity for the city to grow tourism through partnerships with the Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also provided an update and statistics.

According to Hogan, 23 restaurants participated in Burger Week and 16 foodies visited all 23 restaurants. Visitors came from 14 states and downloaded 1,400 Burger Week passes. Peak dining times were around noon and 7 p.m.; the busiest day was Wednesday September 25.

According to documentation provided to the Journal, Tap and Pour was the most visited restaurant and PROPS Steak and Seafood won the People’s Choice award.

Hogan said visits to participating local businesses jumped 18 percent.

“We’re really excited to have this event in the town of Warner Robins because it provides, again, a good opportunity to grow tourism, but also support our small businesses,” Hogan said.

A live stream of Monday’s meeting is available on the city’s Facebook.

A full overview of the agenda and supporting documents can be found here.