Rome City Commission adopts 2026 millage rates after 8–1 vote

The Rome City Commission voted 8–1 on Aug. 10 to adopt the city's 2026 millage rates, a package that raises the City maintenance-and-operations rate from 7.75 to 8.25 mills and increases the City capital millage from 1.75 to 2.0.

Commissioner Rich, who presented the proposal, said the city's digest grew by 1.4% to about $1.842 billion but that rising costs and deferred capital needs required the adjustments. "We would increase that to 8.25," Commissioner Rich said while walking commissioners through the numbers and a sample household example. He showed a hypothetical home with a fair-market value of $107,742 and explained how the homeowner tax-relief grant (HTRG) would reduce the net bill in that scenario.

Several commissioners pressed staff on alternatives to a millage increase, asking whether departments had been asked to trim 3% of their budgets or whether grant offsets could cover the gap. Commissioner (speaker 5) noted an $818,000 shortfall where an anticipated grant did not materialize; Commissioner Rich said some capital items could be delayed but that equipment and infrastructure costs were pressing, citing examples such as dump trucks, a bucket truck and a new fuel farm.

The clerk called the roll on the motion to adopt the millage package. The recorded vote was: Commissioner Robinson ' yes; Brock ' yes; Cochran ' no; Beamon ' yes; Fisher ' yes; Hixson ' yes; Collins ' yes; McDaniel ' yes. The motion carried 8-1.

Mayor Jim Bojo and budget staff thanked finance staff for the work of preparing the budget and the millage presentation. The commission noted that the Rome City Schools millage request and expected revenues were factors in the discussion but that the commission does not approve the schools budget; it only sets the city's millage rates.

Next steps: the millage rates will be reflected on fall tax bills; the commission also scheduled public hearings and a follow-up discussion on capital priorities at upcoming meetings.