Sunday, July 2, 2023–12:00 p.m.
-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-
The final SPLOST project list which will go before voters in November contains a breadth of projects covered across the county rather than a signature project to attract voters.
“This SPLOST is great because there are a lot of projects speckled throughout Rome and Floyd County,” Floyd County Clerk Erin Elrod said.
The proposal runs the gamut of projects from public safety, infrastructure, public works, quality of life, and economic development. Among those, Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation received $8 million to improve parks across Floyd County, which includes artificial fields at Alto and Garden Lakes parks and splash pads at Etowah, Lock & Dam, North Floyd, Shag Williams, and Wolfe parks.
The advisory committee also recommended going from the usual five-year to a six-year collection, with the revenue from that year funding transportation projects exclusively.
“I think the sixth year has always been a great idea,” Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord said. “It will allow us to deal with some infrastructure problems we’ve had for a while.”
There was some discussion on the implications of adding a sixth year, but ultimately the committee voted to approve. The addition increased the total budget for the 1-cent sales tax, based on expected revenue, to approximately $110 million.
The 11-member advisory committee, chaired by local lawyer Bob Berry, is comprised of six appointees from the county, four from the city, and one from Cave Spring.
Berry once again stressed the need for the SPLOST to be approved, and reminded the committee that should the package be voted down by voters, most of the projects would still require funding but without the benefit of out-of-county revenue received via the sales tax.
However, Berry was optimistic.
“When this is passed,” Berry said. “It will help push this community forward.”
Rome Mayor Sundai Stevenson also addressed the committee, stating that she was recently at meetings in Atlanta, and that the success of Rome and Floyd County was not going unnoticed at the state level.
“People on the outside want to be like Rome,” Stevenson said. “We do SPLOST the right way. Not every county allows citizens to recommend projects.”
Advisory committee member Evie McNiece was also very positive about the SPLOST projects and how the process allowed for input from across the county.
“When you touch everybody,” McNiece said, “you get everybody on-board.”
What will go before voters in November
Infrastructure & Technology Improvements
Cave Spring Elementary School roof repair — $200,000
City of Rome Clocktower structural repair — $800,000
Additional T-Hangars for airport $1,739,000
Recycling technology improvements $1,000,000
Total $3,739,000
Water & Sewer
Cave Spring water main replacement — $3,000,000
City of Rome Highway 411 water main expansion — $3,400,000
City of Rome Enterprise Corner sewer expansion — $4,500,000
Floyd County southeast water main extension — $2,600,000
Total $13,500,000
Public Safety
Rome-Floyd Fire Department capital — $5,750,000
Floyd County Police capital — $2,000,000
City of Rome police headquarters — $22,481,289
City of Rome police radios — $1,200,000
Floyd County Police training facility — $2,000,000
Floyd County Police secure parking & evidence facility — $270,000
Floyd County Jail improvements — $2,890,000
Floyd County Prison improvements — $1,900,000
Total $38,491,289
Economic Development
Land Purchase for economic development — $10,000,000
Public Works & Transportation
Floyd County Public Works capital — $4,048,000
Mango Road improvements — $2,500,000
Turn lane at Park Avenue & Dragon Drive — $1,200,000
Floyd County paving & infrastructure — $10,600,000
City of Rome paving & infrastructure — $6,500,000
Chulio Road improvements — $6,000,000
Eden Valley Road improvements — $160,000
Three Mile Road improvements — $1,800,000
Total $32,808,000
Quality of Life
Alto Park $915,000
Etowah Park w/ splash pad — $3,650,000
Garden Lakes Park — $2,500,000
Lock & Dam Park splash pad — $235,000
North Floyd Park splash pad — $235,000
Shag Williams Park splash pad — $235,000
Wolfe Park splash pad — $235,000
Jackson Hill to Ridge Ferry connector boardwalk — $2,000,000
Eagle Park renovations — $550,000
Oostanaula Paddle in Campsite — $850,000
Ridge Ferry Ramp replacement — $60,000
Total $11,465,00
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com.
