Floyd County Commission Clears Public Safety Pay Hikes

The Floyd County Commission adopted a 2024 millage rate hike Tuesday that includes funding for an increase in public safety pay and cost of living adjustments for all employees.

"We need to pay our folks what they're worth," said County Commissioner Scotty Hancock, who chairs the public safety committee.

The maintenance and operations rate of 9.164 mills the board adopted is lower than the advertised rate of 9.414 mills -- which was the 2022 property tax rate. But it's a bump up from 2023, when the board cut the rate to 8.664 mills.

Hancock, Commissioner Rhonda Wallace and Commission Chair Allison Watters voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Wright Bagby and Larry Maxey voted no.

Hancock's motion also included the reallocation of $3 million from the county's American Rescue Plan Act funding specifically to cover the pay hikes.

Plans are to start the raises in September -- when the city of Rome's are slated to go into effect -- at a cost of about $1.1 million for the four remaining months in the year.

A number of other factors led to the tax increase even before the decision to fund raises. Finance Director Susie Gass noted that keeping the rate the same as in 2023 would leave the county with a deficit of more than $3.5 million. Elections alone are expected to cost $150,000 this year and there are state legislative changes coming that will lead to higher costs as well.

Hancock said the board tried to lower spending this year and froze or cut 30 positions for a savings of over $900,000. But a public safety study shows police and firefighters are woefully underpaid compared to those in nearby departments.

Rome-Floyd Fire Chief Troy Brock and Floyd County Police Chief Mark Wallace spoke at the start of the board's meeting about the difficulty in hiring new people and keeping the ones they've got.

"It's not new. We've been through this before. We have become a training ground for other agencies," Wallace said.

Hancock said the county can't compete with big-budget departments such as in Cobb and Bartow counties, but it should not be undercut by neighboring agencies.

Commissioner Rhonda Wallace agreed.

"We've made sacrifices. We've cut expenses. And now we've got to support our team," she said.