City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, July 28, 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 Beeman opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – July 14, 2025 and July 24, 2025 The Minutes of the July 14, 2025, meeting and the July 24, 2025, Special Called meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. 2025 Tax Increase and Mill Rate Adoption Public Hearings Mayor McDaniel announced that the third of the required three Public Hearings regarding the City of Rome’s tax increase is being held at tonight’s meeting. Following the conclusion of the Public Hearings, an action is scheduled for the adoption of the 2025 Tax Mill Rate Resolution. City Manager Rich reviewed the proposed 2025 tax millage rate, stating that the City of Rome Finance Committee is recommending that the city adopt the same millage rate as was in place for 2024. This is a total City of Rome millage rate of 26.25 mills with 7.75 going for City Maintenance and Operations, 1.75 mills for City Capital Projects, and 16.75 mills for the operation of the Rome City School system. Rich noted that, while the millage rate is not increasing, the City of Rome will collect more tax revenue due to growth in the digest. Since the City of Rome is not “rolling back” the millage to a level which would generate no new review, a tax increase is being implemented. Mr. Rich reviewed a detailed pie chart graph, outlining how a City of Rome taxpayer’s money is divided. Rich noted that by far the largest piece of the revenue pie goes to the city school system. The City of Rome’s tax share is divided between public safety, fire department operations, capital projects, public works, general government, and several other smaller needs. Floyd County Government receives property tax from City of Rome residents and at the same rate for County Maintenance and Operation as unincorporated residents. Mr. Rich also noted that the millage rate was reduced in the years 2023, 2022, and 2021. With the City of Rome’s implementation of new pay plan, the city’s personnel costs have increased. Mayor McDaniel called the Public Hearings to order concerning the tax millage rate increase and the adoption of the 2025 rate. No one indicated they were present to speak in favor of the purposed millage rate. However, three individuals indicated they wished to speak in opposition. Mayor McDaniel did not implement a time restraint on these comments. Mr. Roger Wade, 2 Sherwood Rd., addressed the commission and confined most of his comments to the operation of the Rome City School system. Mr. Wade feels that elderly persons of his age should have more opportunities for school tax exemptions. Mr. Wade noted that the City of Rome is a failing school system, and the City Commission should help to correct this situation. Mr. Wade also noted, if the City and County come to an agreement regarding the distribution of additional sales tax and if the sales tax referendum is approved by the voters in November 2025, the tax relief would not be realized until tax year 2027. Mr. Wade expressed his support for comments made by Mr. Billy Cooper at the July 24th 1 Special Called meeting regarding the efficiencies that could and should be realized with consolidation of the school systems, the police departments, and perhaps the city and county governments. Mr. Mark Swanson, 224 Rollingwood Cir., addressed the City Commission. Mr. Swanson outlined a series of ten questions for the City Commission concerning the City of Rome’s compliance with OCGA 48-5-32, 32.1, 32(c)(1), 32(c)(2), 32(d), 32.1(c)(3), and 32.1(e). Mr. Swanson’s primary point was that the City of Rome was likely not in compliance with the State of Georgia requirements concerning our advertisements for the 2025 tax millage rate. Specifically, Mr. Swanson noted that the State of Georgia requires that five prior year’s tax information be advertised along with the proposed current year rates. Since Mr. Swanson did not receive answers to his questions posed to the City Commission and the City Attorney at this meeting, he requested that the City Commission delay the adoption of the millage rate until the City of Rome could become compliant with the State of Georgia advertising requirements. Mr. Swanson also made comments regarding the Rome City School system and the decline in student census. He asked that the City Commission require the Rome City School system to submit a system improvement plan with measurable goals spanning the next three years. Mr. Steve Karakos, 123 Gray Rock Dr., addressed the Commission. Mr. Karakos believes that the City of Rome can find ways to reduce the budget and thus the burden upon the taxpayers. Mr. Karakos encouraged the city to closely examine and look for these opportunities. Mr. Roger Wade made reference to the City of Rome’s 93% collection rate. It was noted that the 93% represents the anticipated tax collection of current year taxes by February 28, 2025. The City of Rome expects the Floyd County Tax Commissioner to collect a higher percentage of taxes; however, the delinquent tax collections are noted in a separate line item. Mr. Shane Cowan, 36 Mountain Chase Rd., briefly addressed the commission supporting the comments and questions raised by Mr. Mark Swanson. With there being no further public comments, Mayor McDaniel closed the Public Hearing. Mayor McDaniel stated that he also feels that taxes are too high and referenced the State of Georgia’s House Bill 581, which allows local governments to place a referendum on the ballot for the public’s consideration. This referendum, if approved, would implement an extra one cent of sales tax which would be used entirely for property tax relief. Before this referendum can be placed on the ballot, the city and county governments must come to an agreement regarding the distribution of these additional sales tax funds. Mayor McDaniel also noted that there will be an election on November 4, 2025, for the Ward 2 City Commission and all seven members of the Rome Board of Education. Mayor McDaniel encouraged anyone interested in these positions, and especially those dissatisfied with the Rome School System, to see the Rome City Clerk during the candidate qualifying period. This period will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 18th and extend through 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22nd. Mayor McDaniel concluded his comments by thanking those citizens who were in attendance at tonight’s meeting. 2 2025 Tax Mill Rate Resolution Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt the 2025 Tax Millage Rate resolution, which would establish a rate of 26.25 mills with 7.75 going for City Maintenance and Operations, 1.75 mills for City Capital Projects, and 16.75 mills for the operation of the Rome City School system. Commissioner Doss seconded the motion. Commissioner Cochran stated that he has voted against the previous two tax increases and will be voting against this increase. He feels that the Rome City Commission should be more involved in the budget process. Mr. Cochran made a point of indicating that he feels that no one in particular is to blame for this lack of involvement, but the City Commission should consider a method of being more invovled. The motion to adopt the proposed 2025 Tax Mill Rate Resolution was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson NO: Cochran Joint Services Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Joint Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 5th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Development Oversight Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Development Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 5th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, August 7th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, August 7th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the First Friday concert for August will be held on Friday, August 1st starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Green. The performers will be KneckDown and The Band Waleska. Tax Discussion Commissioner Doss thanked City Manager Rich and the Finance Committee for their diligent work regarding the proposed 2025 tax mill rate. Mr. Doss also asked if the City of Rome could work to provide answers to the questions proposed by Mr. Swanson earlier tonight. Mr. Rich indicated that staff will research and provide answers to these questions. Mr. Rich also emphasized that, if an error was committed, the City of Rome will work to perform any corrective action that is needed. After the earlier questions were raised by Mr. Swanson, Mr. Rich investigated these questions on July 29th. His investigation involved communications with Floyd County Tax Commission Kevin Payne 3 (who spoke with the Georgia Department of Revenue). As a result, it was determined that the City of Rome should have included a five-year history (tax years 2020 through 2024) with 2025 tax advertisements. The City of Rome will amend their tax ad to include five prior years and publish/post that ad. An additional public hearing and mill rate adoption action will be scheduled for the August 11, 2025, City Commission meeting. Comments were made by most every City Commissioner regarding the City of Rome’s revenue needs and the proposed 2025 tax rate. There were also comments made regarding the Rome City School system’s performance. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4