Citizens’ SPLOST Committee Offers Details On Selected Projects
Kingston resident Larry James carefully looked at the posters and sketches displayed in front of him before picking up a few informational pages and moving on to the next table.
“I’m just trying to learn right now,” James said. “I haven’t made up my mind about anything yet. I’m just getting the information.”
The sketches and papers that were displayed around several tables offered detailed information about the much-needed 800 MHz Digital Communications System that was presented to the 2009 Citizens’ Advisory SPLOST (special purpose, local option sales tax) Committee.
Various projects were presented to the committee this year for consideration to be included in a 2009 SPLOST package that could be voted upon this November.
If then approved by Floyd County voters, the new SPLOST would go into effect on July 1, 2010, the day the current SPLOST ends.
Floyd County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Scotty Hancock said the current system, which was designed in the 1960s, is severely inadequate.
Also, federal law has required that local agencies narrowband their radio systems by January, 2013.
“The communication system is something everyone in Floyd County ought to support,” said Cave Spring Mayor Rob Ware. “If its not upgraded with SPLOST, then it will probably have to be done through ad valorem taxes.”
Ware said he was very supportive of the committee’s chosen projects.
“We regret that the Cave Spring Water System Project was not selected, because it is essential to southwest Floyd County, but I’m very supportive of those projects chosen,” he added.
The 2009 Citizens’ Advisory SPLOST Committee recently narrowed the list of several dozen submitted projects to five projects that committee members felt were essential to the county and its economy.
“We met seven times, and not one of those meetings was less than four hours,” said 2009 Citizens’ Advisory SPLOST Committee Chairman Willis Potts. “We took this very seriously. If there’s a theme to these selected projects, it centers around issues concerning public safety and projects that will improve the economy of the area.”
The 800 MHz Digital Communications System project is estimated to cost more than $26 million and was submitted by Floyd County, Rome and Cave Spring.
The other four chosen projects are the Fire Department Headquarters Renovation and New Prevention and Safety Education Center, costing $4 million and submitted by Floyd
County, Rome and Cave Spring; Barron Stadium Renovations, costing more than $3.3 million and submitted by Rome; Job Creation, costing slightly less than $6 million and submitted by the Development Authority; and the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center (CVRDC) Building Renovations and Expansion, costing $2.6 million and submitted by the CVRDC.
Although Rome Fire Department Deputy Chief Benny Bohannon wanted to stress the importance and need for the new radio communications system, he quickly pointed out the fire department’s need for expansion when asked.
“From 1988 to 2008, fire-related home deaths have decreased by almost half,” Bohannon said. “We attribute some of this to our increase in education and prevention.”
He said fire prevention and education was provided to close to 75,000 people last year through the local fire departments.
Under the proposed plan, the fire department’s educational classroom would almost double in size.
Also, the plans call for adequate rescue equipment in all county fire departments with the exception of the city fire departments. That would include Stations 4, 6,7, 8, 9 and 10. The other city fire departments would receive their rescue equipment through the available rescue trucks.
Bohannon said the fire department current has two rescue trucks including rescue equipment but only has the manpower to operate one of those vehicles at a time.
Each truck can adequately provide rescue efforts and equipment for the downtown area but not if simultaneous calls are received from opposite ends of the county. The new station equipment would, however, provide for adequate rescue coverage throughout the county.
Close to 200 people visited The Forum Thursday evening to check out the 2009 Citizens’ Advisory SPLOST Committee’s chosen projects and related information.
Rome resident Brenda Newman said she came to the meeting to show her support for the SPLOST.
“The SPLOST Committee done an outstanding job in choosing these projects,” Newman said.
Rome resident Stephanie Owens said she also wanted to show her support for the SPLOST.
She said she was especially partial to the Barron Stadium Renovations.
“I work at Shorter College. I think the Barron Stadium renovations would be mutually beneficial for the city’s economy and Shorter College’s athletic programs,“ Owens said.
Larry Altwell, chairman of the 2006 Citizens’ Advisory SPLOST Committee and a member of the current SPLOST committee, said the committee worked hard to select projects that were needed and also projects that the people of the community wanted.
He said all the selected projects would improve public safety and help boost the local economy.
“Anything that helps the economy also helps the entire community,” Altwell said.
NAIA Host Committee member Jim O’Hara, left, and Rome City Clerk Joe Smith discuss details about proposed Barron Stadium renovations during Thursday evening’s informal meeting of the 2009 Citizens’ Advisory SPLOST Committee at The Forum. Staff Photo by Dawn Treglown.
Rome Fire Department Deputy Chief Benny Bohannon overlooks sketches for the fire department’s proposed new Prevention and Safety Education Center. The center is part of a submitted project that the 2009 Citizens’ Advisory SPLOST Committee approved this year. Staff Photo by Dawn Treglown.
