Rome City Commission approves Barron agreement, gets update on security cameras

August 17, 2021–6:25 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

The Rome City Commission has approved a new agreement with the Rome City Schools for the operation and management of Barron Stadium.

The agreement comes following months of negotiations.

“This has been discussed, and at some point, became contentious because we have this great downtown facility that is in high demand,” said City Commissioner Jamie Doss who chairs the general administration committee.  “So, we have different groups that want to use it.  Certainly, our Rome City School System has done a great job managing the facility.  Shorter College would like to come back and to Barron for their home football games.”

The two-year agreement has an option for a two-year renewal.

It includes the creation of a facilities committee that will coordinate scheduling with the city.

The school system is also being asked to report quarterly to the city general administration committee to talk about expenses and rentals.

During their caucus Monday night, commissioners got an update regarding security cameras.

Rome City Manager Sammy Rich said the idea of having a network of cameras deployed at various locations has been in the works for a while.

Money from the American Rescue Plan could be used to purchase new cameras that would initially go up on Broad Street, the Town Green, and Banty Jones Park.

There are already security cameras in use in Rome, but Rich said the newer cameras are more sophisticated and would allow a more proactive approach to fighting crime.

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