Monday, August 11, 2025–9:51 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome City Commission has approved its part of an intergovernmental agreement regarding the distribution of proceeds from a floating sales tax as part of House Bill 581.
The legislation allows for local governments to hold a referendum to let voters decide to implement the extra penny tax, with the sole purpose of defraying a portion of property taxes.
During a joint meeting last Tuesday, city and county commissioners could not reach an agreement, with the county proposing a 75-25 percent split and the city countering with a 60-40 split.
On Monday, Rome City Manager Sammy Rich presented a proposal with the county getting 68 percent and the city getting 32 percent.
“If I am in my $150,000 home and my city M&O [maintenance and operations] is at 7.75 mils, and assuming we implemented this new FLOST, then my new millage rate would go down to 4.126 mils, he said. “As a city taxpayer, I would also get the benefit, because I also pay Floyd County M&O tax. If I am a city resident, then I am getting the benefit of both of these reductions, that’s $404.46.”
The commission also approved a resolution to put the referendum on the ballot this coming November.
Only Commissioner Mark Cochran voted against the agreements, stating he supports the idea of the law, but he thinks the mechanism to implement it is flawed.
The Floyd County Commission is expected to vote on the intergovernmental agreement when they meet Tuesday.
