City Manager John Bennett expects to ask the Rome City Commission tonight to confirm his picks for Municipal Court judge and interim police chief.

The former judge, Gene Richardson, accepted an appointment as Floyd County Chief Magistrate.

Police Chief Hubert Smith is retiring July 2 after 43 years with the department.

Bennett said Friday he was still finalizing his selections but intends to present names to the board tonight.

Smith was named Outstanding Chief of the Year by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and was also presented with a special service award in July 2009.

He has served with the Rome Police Department for 43 years, 19 of those years as chief.

Smith began his career with the department in 1966, rising through the ranks from a patrol officer, detective sergeant, lieutenant and deputy chief. He was named chief in 1991.

Commissioners caucus at 5 p.m. and start their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 601 Broad St. Both sessions are open to the public.

On the commission’s agenda is a presentation from outside auditor Rick Hartley of Mauldin and Jenkins and a resolution authorizing condemnation proceedings against two vacant Etowah Terrace properties along the planned Kingfisher Trail.

The board also is scheduled to award a construction contract for Wolf Drive — the secondary access road to Rome High School — to low-bidder Baldwin Paving Co. Inc. of Marietta.

Eight bids were received, ranging from $1.47 million to $1.89 million. The 2006 special purpose, local option sales tax package earmarked $2.9 million for the project.

A public hearing and rezoning decision also is scheduled for the 8-acre former Hight Homes public housing site at the corner of Turner McCall Boulevard and North Fifth Avenue.

Madison Retail LLC wants commercial zoning of the residentially zoned tract to build a Publix-anchored shopping center. The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission has recommended approval of the change.

On Friday, Madison officials said they are still working out the details of a formal lease agreement with Publix. The grocery chain’s public relations personnel have said they could not comment until a contract is signed.

Commissioners also are expected to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Floyd County to share a $50,911 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant.

The money, pro-rated according to the number of sworn officers, will be used to buy equipment for the two police departments.