Wednesday, June 25, 2025–12:50 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The City of Rome Finance Committee met on Wednesday, and the main topic of discussion was the 2025 millage rates.
Finance Director Toni Rhinehart told the committee there are three options.
The first would keep the rates the same as in 2024. The second would be to go with the estimated rates approved in April by the commission in accordance with state law. Or, go with a slight rollback.
Rhinehart recommends at this time, based on preliminary tax digest numbers, which could change, to keep the rates the same.
“As you all know, we did a very aggressive pay plan implementation last year,” she said. “It was primarily for public safety, but it did affect the city. So, we have to have growth to operate long-term.”
Rome City Manager Sammy Rich went over the projected numbers for city maintenance and operations, if the city commission were to keep the rates the same.
“Doing our 2024 rate, which is where we are right now, 7.75 for city M&O, it’s a $667,129 [increase],” he said. “If you carry that down, and see on the bottom of the page, city school M&O is at $1,650,000.”
If the rates stay the same, those who see an increase in their property assessments would pay more in city taxes.
That’s why, even if the millage rates stay the same, three public hearings would be required.
The first hearing is tentatively scheduled for the Rome City Commission’s July 14 meeting.
