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Residents oppose 2025 millage increase, cite Rome City Schools’ finances and performance
Summary
At a July 24 public hearing on a proposed 2025 tax millage increase, multiple Rome residents urged the commission to reconsider higher taxes, focusing on Rome City Schools’ falling reserves, bond liabilities and academic performance; one speaker proposed dissolving the city school charter and placing the system under Floyd County Schools.
ROME, Ga. — Residents opposed a proposed 2025 tax millage increase at the Rome City Commission public hearing on July 24, pressing commissioners to weigh the local tax burden against what several speakers described as pressing problems in Rome City Schools.
Ken Wright, a resident who presented financial summaries and academic comparisons, said Rome City Schools’ fund balance fell from $31.0 million in 2019 to $22.4 million in 2022 and $19.0 million in 2023, and that bond liabilities left the district financially strained. "We’ve got a failing school system," Wright said, arguing that higher spending per student has not produced better outcomes and urging the commission to consider dissolving the Rome City School charter so Floyd County Schools would take management responsibility.
Wright told commissioners that an intergovernmental agreement resulted in Rome City Schools assuming liability for roughly $16.49 million in bond debt tied to the Rome Building Authority and that the district still owed about $11.26 million for earlier bonds. He said Rome City Schools’ operating budget is about $134 million a year and contrasted per-student spending—about $20,000 in Rome City versus about $16,000 in Floyd County—while saying many classes show high percentages of students below grade level.
"You may not want to admit it," Wright said of the district’s performance, "but we’ve got a failing school system." He suggested keeping school buildings and students in place while transferring management to the county, saying Floyd County "manages it better" and could provide greater economies of scale.
Sandra Bearden, speaking for senior citizens, said she opposed the millage increase because small, recurring expenses aggregate for people on fixed incomes. She also questioned whether the city’s spending on public safety is translating into visible patrols in parts of West Rome. "If this has no benefit, has no bearing on our way of life here in Rome, Georgia, y'all need to throw it to the curb," Bearden said.
Billy Cooper framed his remarks around the idea of "economy of scale," suggesting local leaders consider consolidating services — including schools and police divisions — to reduce costs for residents. Cooper cited regional comparisons and housing-affordability figures in making his case that leaders should explore structural changes, though he acknowledged such proposals would be unpopular.
The Mayor Pro Tem opened and closed the hearing and set rules for public comment (a collective 10 minutes was allotted). No formal vote or action on the millage occurred at the meeting; the commission scheduled a third public hearing for Monday at 6:30 p.m. and said a fourth hearing will precede adoption of the related Miller Drake resolution.
The public hearing is the second of three on the proposed millage rate; the commission has not yet adopted a rate and has not taken a vote that would finalize the tax change.
