Managers: Rome, Floyd thriving
Annual reports from Rome and Floyd County show a financial rebound and plans for the future.
Bids are due Thursday from companies seeking to work on the reconstruction of Unity Point.
The terraced park built to celebrate the 1996 Summer Olympics at the confluence of the rivers in downtown Rome has been closed due to erosion.
The 2013 special purpose, local option sales tax package contains $1.8 million to stabilize the river banks, rebuild the overlook and repair the center pier of the Robert Redden Bridge.
“It’s a beautiful part of the city, where the three rivers meet,” City Manager Sammy Rich said. “We hope to have someone under contract by April.”
Rich updated the Rome City Commission on a number of outstanding 2013 SPLOST projects this week as part of his State of the City address.
A secondary entrance to Chulio Hills subdivision, West Third Street resurfacing, the 1.9-mile Mount Berry Trail connection and a tourism center on Jackson Hill are in various stages of work. Rich said he expects to close on the Norfolk Southern property for the Redmond Trail in the next few months.
“I’m optimistic we’ll be building in 2019,” he told the board.
The presentation covered a range of activities, from the city’s financial status and accomplishments in 2017 to plans in the works for this year.
He also talked about the city’s partnership projects — with the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority, the South Rome Redevelopment Agency, the Rome Floyd Chamber and Floyd County.
“This culture of cooperation is what’s going to make the difference for us going forward into the future ... We’ll continue to work on recruiting and retaining law enforcement and diversifying our revenue stream,” Rich said in conclusion.
A PDF of the presentation is downloadable from the “online services” section of the joint city/county website at RomeFloyd.com.
Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord’s annual report is also posted on the site, on the county clerk’s webpage.
The colorful e-booklet with flippable pages contains photos and charts
detailing the projects and current standing of each county department.
McCord looked at trends beginning with the 2008 recession. He pointed to signs of a financial rebound in both the public and private sectors, and noted that the county ended 2017 with a $2.3 million increase to its general fund balance.
The coming year has the potential to be even better, he told the board during its Feb. 13 meeting.
“Our rivers are our obvious strength and I’m excited about what’s happening. Twenty years ago you might have seen a boat. Today, our rivers are thriving with residents and visitors,” McCord said.