Rome City Commission meeting highlights

Rome City Commission meeting highlights

January 25, 2021–9:55 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

The Rome City Commission has approved resolution for the issuance of multi-family housing revenue bonds by the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority.

The $12.6 million dollars in bonds will be used to finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipping of a 121-units of multifamily housing known as Dallas Manor in Paulding County and Tamassee Apartments in Rome.

There is no liability for the City of Rome, according to City Attorney Andy Davis.

“This not a debt on behalf of the state, the City of Rome, or any political subdivision thereof,” he said.  “This would merely be a debt of the borrower.  These are private fund bonds that are going through the housing authority as the issuer.”

Davis added the apartments will not be public housing.

“The housing authority is merely the issuer,” he reiterated.  “These are properties that are privately owned and it’s going through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.  It’s merely for a conduit.  The Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia itself does not have any debt obligation on these bonds.  These apartments are not part of the housing authority.”

In other action Monday, the commission set candidate qualifying fees for the 2021 Municipal Elections.

The fees will be 3% of the annual commissioner and city school board salary, according to Rome City Clerk Joe Smith.

“That would mean $252 for city commission and $126 for those running for school board,” he said.  “Those fees are not paid until the qualifying period in August.”

The commission also approved a motion from Commissioner Wendy Davis, setting early voting date and locations.

Early voting will be from October 11 through the 29.

Early voting locations will be at the County Administration Building, the Rome Civic Center, the health department and Garden Lakes Baptist Church.”

Two Rome City Commission seats and all seven Rome School Board seats will be on the ballot.