-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Rome Finance Director Toni Rhinehart (left) discusses tax digest numbers to Rome City Manager Sammy Rich and finance committee chair Wayne Robins on during a called meeting on Friday.
Rome’s finance committee held a called meeting on Friday to discuss the preliminary tax digest, which showed slower growth than in years past.
The digest, which is a combined value of all properties in the city, grew at only 1.4 percent.
Most residents saw their assessments go down, but the lack of growth presents challenges for local governments.
“We were just a little more optimistic that we were going to have more growth in the digest,” said Rome City Manager Sammy Rich. “That is the reality, so we are trying to tighten the bootstraps and see what we can do to save or where we can cut. We need to stay as efficient as possible, but in the meantime, we do have to set a millage rate as we move forward, because we do have to fund the city government.”
The city is looking at a couple of scenarios for the millage rate.
“We are in a good position this year in the sense that if there is an increase in city M&O and city capital, and a decrease in Rome City Schools millage, because we have an opportunity to decrease that,” Rich said. “Then on top of that, this year we will be provided, from the State of Georgia, the HTRG—the Homeowners Tax Relief Grant. So, that provides an additional $18,000 deduction in assessed value. This year, we are in a unique position to be able to see some savings for the homeowners.”
In addition to maintenance and operations, the Rome City Commission also sets the millage rate for the school system.
“For this particular fiscal year, what they requested from the city is $32 million,” Rich added. “Even with the decrease, we can still meet that $32 million. Once again, that would provide savings to our property owners.”
In other words, even if there is a slight increase in the city M&O and capital rates, the overall property tax bill could actually decrease.
Discussions are expected to continue in the weeks ahead.
The Rome City Commission is anticipated to approve a millage rate during their final meeting in August.
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