City names SPLOST committee members
The citizens group is expected to meet next week to set up a process to suggest projects.
Rome Mayor Jamie Doss announced on Monday the City Commission’s four appointees to the 2017 Citizens SPLOST Committee.
Two members of the 2013 committee, Jim Bojo and Alvin Jackson, will return.
The others are first-timers: Julie Smith, president of the nonprofit trails group TRED; and Mike Burnes, who serves on the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau board.
“We thought it was good to have some new blood,” Doss said.
Jimmy Smith, a financial adviser, was named as an alternate and Doss said more alternates could be added later. They’ll attend all the meetings and step in if one of the members has to drop out.
“Serving on this committee is a major commitment,” Doss said.
It’s a sentiment backed by Jackson, who said vetting proposals for funding through a 1-cent special purpose, local option sales tax involves more than just listening to presentations. Asking the right questions is important, he said, especially when money is tight.
“You have to prioritize,” Jackson said. “That means seeing what is really needed for a project and maybe coming up with ways to do it for less.”
Doss said he is pleased with the number of people who applied to serve on the committee and said the city would keep their information on file for possible future volunteer opportunities.
“I encourage everyone to attend the (SPLOST) meetings, become engaged, ask questions and get involved,” he added.
The 12-member committee is expected to meet next week to establish rules for submitting projects.
A vote will likely be scheduled for November.
The Floyd County Commission plans to make its six appointments today. The Cave Spring City Council
has already appointed J.C. Boehm as its representative and David Newby will serve as chairman. All three elected boards have agreed to support the committee’s recommended package.
In other actions Monday, the commission unanimously approved light-industrial zoning at 2101
Rockmart Road for a company that makes a nontoxic silicone coating for weatherproofing buildings.
“Sherwin-Williams has already bought into the product and we’re hoping to sell it in Home Depot and other home improvement centers all over the world,” property owner Rocky Calvert said.