Tuesday, June 20, 2023–8:43 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Rome City Commission voted Tuesday to affirm the appointment of a new planning director.

City Manager Sammy Rich made the recommendation to promote assistant planning director Brice Wood to lead the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department.

“He has been with us for over five years, working as an associate planner, senior planner, and assistant director,” Rich said. “Brice has moved up the ranks in the planning department. I’m really proud of him and the good, hard work he has done. He comes to us with a servant’s heart. Before he was with the city, he was a special agent with the Georgia Department of Revenue. Brice also served our regional commission as a planner.

Wood succeeds Art Newell, who recently left the post for another job.

“I’m really excited and confident in Brice’s abilities,” Rich added. “This is a position on which county management and myself confer, and we jointly interview the candidates. Brice works well with multiple government bodies. If you look at all the commissioners, the planning commission, and the board of adjustments, I don’t know how he has the time for work because he’s going to all these meetings. I’m proud of Brice and I think he’s going to do a great job leading us into the future.”