Thursday, October 3, 2024–12:02 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome Water and Sewer Committee got their first look at the 2025 capital budget requests on Thursday.
The requests include equipment and projects, totaling just over $73 million. According to Rome City Manager Sammy Rich that sounds like a lot of money, but in the grand scheme of things the water and sewer department is the City of Rome’s biggest asset.
“In comparison to the overall value of the water and sewer system, that literally is a drop in the bucket, so that is what we keep in mind,” he said. “These guys are very frugal. They take very good care of their equipment, and our goal is to stretch the dollars as far as we can.
The water and sewer department is an enterprise fund and has to be run like a business.
“These aren’t tax dollars that go in,” Rich added. “They have to generate the revenue that goes to pay for the operation. So, we try to be good stewards and recognize that fact, and we want to be as frugal as we can. At the end of the day, we want to make sure we are serving the customers of Rome to the best of our ability.”
The largest project included in the capital budget requests in the new reverse osmosis water treatment facility. A portion of the overall anticipated cost of $200 million is included in the 2025 budget. Without that, the requests total just over $23 million. Of course, the new plant is being paid for using funds that resulted from a settlement with carpet manufacturers, chemical companies and others regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS contamination in the Oostanaula River.
“Aside from the plant budget, it’s in line with previous years,” said Rome Water and Sewer Division Director John Boyd. “So, we feel pretty strong about what we are asking for.”
On the equipment side, the request include funds for items such as tractors and other vehicles, mulching attachments, a compactor, a generator for the Coosa plant, a blower, and a jet-vac machine. There are also funds for the flood control stations on Avenue A and Second Avenue. The right-of-way tractor would replace a 1986 model.
One item that rolled over from the 2024 capital budget is $32,000 for a new payment drive through at Rome City Hall. The project was put out for bids twice, but the city received no responses either time. The current drive-thru dates back to the 1980s and is considered obsolete because you cannot find parts for repairs. The relocation to a location to the very back edge of the city auditorium is also expected to help with parking and congestion.
“We think that is a game changer in helping with the parking lot and the safety of the customers,” Boyd said. So, we are continuing to pursue that.”
Boyd stressed that the list is just a draft of requests. The final decision will be up to Rich and Rome Finance Director Toni Rhinehart.