City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, July 14, 2025 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Mayor McDaniel presided with Mayor Pro Tem Bojo and Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson present. Commissioner Collins was absent. Commissioner Cochran opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – June 16, 2025 The Minutes of the June 16, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Ralph Davis – Certificate of Appreciation Mayor Pro Tem Bojo presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Ralph Davis, recognizing his years of service as a City Representative on the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority. Phil Wade – Certificate of Appointment Commissioner Quick presented a Certificate of Appointment to Mr. Phil Wade. Mr. Wade has recently been appointed as a City Representative on the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority. A Certificate of Appointment was also prepared for Ms. Monica Sheppard, who was recently appointed to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission. Ms. Sheppard was not present at tonight’s meeting. Tax Increase Public Hearing Mayor McDaniel announced that a series of three Public Hearings will be held due to the proposed 2025 tax increase. Public Hearing #1 is scheduled for tonight’s meeting. City Manager Rich reviewed the proposed 2025 millage rate as recommended by the City of Rome Finance Committee. Mr. Rich stated that the proposed millage rate for 2025 calls for a City M&O (Maintenance and Operation) rate of 7.75 mils, City Capital rate of 1.75 mils, and Rome School M&O rate of 16.75 mils. This is the same millage rate as the City implemented for 2024. There has been a modest increase in the 2025 tax digest, and, as a result of the proposed millage rate, the City of Rome does plan to collect additional 2025 tax proceeds of $651,018 for City M&O, $194,875 for City Capital, and $1,636,193 in school tax. Mayor McDaniel called a Public Hearing to order. Speaking regarding the proposed 2025 tax millage rate was Ms. Norma Reboredo. Ms. Reboredo asked the value of the city tax digest for 2025, which City Manager Rich answered and informed Ms. Reboredo that the digest for the City of Rome is 1,818,514,776 and for the City Board of Education the digest is 1,899,446,309. Ms. Reboredo also had a question regarding the number of rental units in the City of Rome versus owner occupied dwellings. She was referred to the Floyd County Tax Assessor for this question. Also speaking regarding the proposed millage rate was Ms. Melissa Keefe, 17 Caversham Ln. Ms. Keefe stated that her taxes continue to increase. Her taxes in 2024 were $7,200. Mr. Rich explained how 1 taxes are calculated, with a combination of individual property values (which are set by the Floyd County Board of Assessors), and the tax millage rate (set by the City of Rome). For 2025, there will also be a Board of Education assessment freeze, and homesteaded properties will receive an offsetting exemption for market value property increases. The last speaker at tonight’s meeting regarding this matter was Ms. Carey Jones. Ms. Carey Jones had questions regarding the City of Rome’s total budget and general fund budget. Finance Director Toni Rhinehart was present and encouraged Ms. Jones to contact her, and she can discuss those numbers and any other budget numbers in detail. With there being no further comments, Mayor McDaniel closed the Public Hearing. Special Called City Commission Meeting and Public Hearings Secretary Smith announced that there will be a special called City Commission meeting on Thursday, July 24th at City Hall. The purpose of this Special Called meeting will be to conduct Public Hearing #2 regarding the 2025 proposed tax increase. The third and final Public Hearing along with the Public Hearing to actually adopt the 2025 millage rate will occur at the next regularly scheduled City Commission meeting on July 28, 2025. 2025 Election Secretary Smith presented an announcement/reminder regarding the 2025 City of Rome Election. In 2025 the three Ward 2 City Commission members will be scheduled for election along with the seven Rome Board of Education positions. Qualifying for the 2025 city election will take place the week of August 18 – 22 in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall. Smith also noted that even though this is an “off year election”, there will be a county wide election due to the Georgia Public Service Commission race. There is also consideration being given for the placement of the sales tax referendum authorized by House Bill 581, which would dedicate an extra penny of sales tax strictly for property tax relief. A City/County MOU regarding the distribution of this extra sales tax will be required prior to the referendum. Police Evidence – Callier Springs Road City Manager Rich reminded the Commission that, based on the most recent Local Option Sales Tax agreement with Floyd County, the City of Rome agreed to vacate the joint Law Enforcement Center. The Rome Police Department is now headquartered on Technology Parkway; however, the police evidence room is still located in the Joint Law Enforcement Center as there is not sufficient room to move that service to Technology Parkway. Mr. Rich recommended that Multi-Craft Construction be hired to renovate the police training center on Callier Springs Rd. for the new home for the Rome Police Department’s evidence. Commissioner Robinson moved to authorize the contract with Multi-Craft Construction in the amount $261,500 for the Callier Springs Rd. renovation. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 2 Recreational Vehicle Park – Appalachian Regional Commission Grant City Manager Rich stated that he would like for the City of Rome to apply for an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant to assist with the construction of an RV park along with sewer services, a bathroom/bathhouse, canoe/kayak launch site, and signage at the City’s property along the Oostanaula River near the Rome Emperors baseball stadium. This project’s estimated cost is $1,371,136. The grant application would be for a 50/50 grant for this project. If awarded, the City of Rome’s 50% could partially be provided through in kind services. There was a more in-depth discussion of this proposed project during the caucus session prior to tonight’s meeting. Commissioner Robinson moved to authorize the application of the ARC Grant as described. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Rome/Floyd County Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd County Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, July 22nd at 9:00 a.m. at 800 Broad Street. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting scheduled for July 23rd has been cancelled. House Bill 581 Discussion Commissioner Bojo announced that the Finance Committee will meet following the Rome City Commission’s special called meeting on July 24th. The purpose of this Finance Committee meeting will be to discuss House Bill 581 and the need for the City of Rome and the Floyd County Commission to develop an intergovernmental agreement regarding the distribution of the extra one cent of sales tax that could be authorized through a referendum as directed by House Bill 581. Public Safety Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 15th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Transportation Policy Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 16th at 10:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Wednesday, July 16th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful – Activity Book Commissioner Beeman reported on an activity book that has been created and produced by Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful and Rome/Floyd ECO Center. This activity book is an “exploration of Georgia’s regions, pollution, and protection”. 3 Library Reading Challenge Commissioner Beeman reported on the library reading challenge for 2025. She stated that the challenge has resulted in a noticeable number of books being read that exceeded the 2024 level. Solid Waste Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Solid Waste Commission meeting scheduled for July 22nd has been cancelled. Pump Track – Ridgeferry Park Commissioner Quick stated that a presentation was made during caucus prior to tonight’s meeting regarding the specifics of a proposed pump track at Ridgeferry Park. Commissioner Quick stated that this track would be constructed with funding from AdventHealth, the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum, and TRED Rome. Commissioner Quick moved to proceed with the construction of this facility. Commissioner Doss seconded the motion and congratulated City Manager Rich for facilitating this project, noting that this will be a valuable recreation addition to Ridgeferry Park. The was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson ABSTAIN: Brock (TRED Board Member) Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, July 21st at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting on the motion of Commissioner Robinson, second of Commissioner Bojo, and unanimous vote. Two real estate matters were discussed; no votes were taken. Commissioner Bojo moved to exit Executive Session, Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4