City Commission

The City of Rome operates with a commission-manager form of government and has operated under this form of government since 1918. The City Commission, which is a policy-making body, has nine commissioners residing in three different wards. The Commission has nine overview committees with three Commissioners serving on each committee and each Commissioner serves as chairman of at least one committee.

The City Commission makes all policy decisions, adopts City Ordinances, and has final authority on zoning issues and annexations. They appoint the City Manager who works at their discretion.

Election Process

The City election process has the following features:

• At-Large voting is used, which means that every voter votes for all commissioners, three in each ward.
• Election winners are selected by plurality voting, which means that the top three vote-getters from each wins. No majority is required.
• Elections are non-partisan.
• Commissioners serve staggered four-year terms with Wards 1 and 3 elected together and Ward 2 elected two years later.
• City Commission elects a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.

City Manager

The City Manager advises the City Commission on policy issues and appoints all department directors. In addition, he prepares the Commission agenda, prepares the annual budget for approval by Commission, directs City staff in policy implementation, and hears final appeal in personnel grievances.