Commissioners postpone vote on BID board setu | Latest Headline
by By Andrea Freygang, Rome News-Tribune Staff Write
Dec 18, 2006 | 77 views | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend | print
City commissioners postponed the final vote and public hearing Monday night for the structure of the newly created Business Improvement District (BID), a tax zone set up for downtown improvements.

The Downtown Development Authority had approved the structure of the BID’s board of directors last week, saying as many as six members of the board could come from the DDA.

The commission changed the language Monday to allow only four DDA members on the BID board. The other six will consist of two real property owners, two business owners, one staff member of the Rome Finance Department and one city commissioner who serves on the DDA.

Roger Wade, a local business owner, spoke to the commission Monday, requesting that more BID representatives come from outside the DDA.

Commissioners scheduled another first reading for their Jan. 2 meeting, to be followed by a public hearing and vote at the next meeting.

Also at Monday’s meeting:

  • The commission unanimously adopted the 2007 budget with little discussion. Total revenue is budgeted at $89,325,380 and expenditures at $89,764,110. The deficit of $438,730 will come from reserves.

    Included in the budget is $26.4 million for general fund revenues and expenses. The city expects to collect $7,683,500 in ad valorem taxes, a 2.7 percent increase over 2006. The tax rate is not expected to change in 2007. Commissioners also recognized the finance department for its 18th year in receiving a Certificate of Excellence in its 2005 audit.

  • Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution raising off-premise alcohol permit fees for one-time events with more than 201 attendees to $250 for beer and wine respectively, and $500 for liquor; $1,000 for all three.

  • Rome Police Chief Hubert Smith was recognized for 40 years of service with the city.

  • Several zonings were up for first approval. An annexation of property located at Chateau Drive and Hampton Boulevard with no change in community commercial zoning passed first approval, with a public hearing set for the Jan. 2 meeting. Also, a contentious request in South Rome at 8 Pollack St. was sent back to the planning commission to work with the owner in addressing resident concerns. The owner is requesting a change from high-density traditional residential to light industrial.

  • Three other zoning requests were read and go to a public hearing and vote on Jan 2. One involves a property next to Wal-Mart in East Rome with a change from agriculture residential to community commercial. The second is a property located at East Second Avenue and East 12th Street where an auto shop owner would like to add an auto paint bay. Commissioners requested a potential environmental impact report, since the planning commission recommended approval while the planning department staff did not. The final zoning change seeks to reduce the size requirement of outdoor play areas at day care and kindergarten facilities.

  • Commissioners voted 8-0 to send a rule about manufactured homes back to the planning commission to ensure that language prevented homes from being placed on city property without permits and also ensure that manufactured homes placed on residential lots require a special-use permit from the city. The county passed the ordinance last week.

  • Commissioners also approved, in a 7-1 vote, the application process for the Tax Allocation District near South Rome that allows potential buyers to redevelop a property and have a tax deferment for five years in order to spur redevelopment. Commissioner Bill Collins voted against the process, citing concerns about the $5,000 application fee.

  • Commissioners unanimously approved the 2007 Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors
    • Share This Article |
    similar stories

    County Commission approves contract with new county manager | 26 days ago by Alan Riquelmy, RN-T.com

    County Commission to examine agreements involving prison, jail | 6 days ago by Alan Riquelmy, staff writer

    County Commission scheduled for vote on county manager contract | 27 days ago by Alan Riquelmy, staff writer

    Pat McQuaid's bid in doubt to remain cycling chief | 23 days ago by ROB HARRIS, AP Sports Writer

    GOP legislators use power to control local affairs | 8 days ago by BILL BARROW, Associated Press

    Comments
    (0)
    Comments-icon Post a Comment
    No Comments Yet
    Postings are not edited and are the responsibility of the author. You agree not to post comments that are abusive, threatening or obscene. Postings may be removed at our discretion.