Floyd County’s property tax rate will remain at 11.1 mills for the second year in a row, although the total value of taxable property dropped about 1 percent.

“So, even though the millage rate is staying the same, it’s decreasing taxes to the citizens of Floyd County,” Commission Chairman Irwin Bagwell said following the rate adoption Tuesday.

A tax rate of one mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value.

The county’s rate is comprised of three components: 8.767 mills for government maintenance and operations, 1.91 mills for fire protection and 0.414 mills for solid waste disposal.

Every property owner pays the M&O charge, and those in the unincorporated area also are billed for fire and solid waste services.

Rome property owners pay a city tax of 8.7 mills that includes fire and solid waste charges.

Bills that are expected to go out next month also will include the state’s 0.25-mill tax. Additionally, Rome property owners pay a city school tax of 17.45 mills while those in Cave Spring and the unincorporated area pay 18.588 mills to support county schools.

Taxes are due by Nov. 15.

Also on Tuesday, the board discussed plans for swearing in and training the two new commissioners who will be chosen in the July 31 special election.

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Nathan Roberts and Rhonda Wallace are running for the Post 1 seat vacated by Chad Whitefield. Jerry Lee and Larry Maxey are vying to complete Eddie Lumsden’s term in Post 4.

Wallace and Lee are the only candidates who are attending County Commission meetings, but the winners of the special election are expected to start work Aug. 14.

County Manager Blaine Williams said he is setting up a tour of county facilities for late August and drafting a manual to help orient the new board members.

Commissioners also ordered a special called meeting of the Board of Adjustments to hear a sign variance request by Shane Cowan of GMC Value-Mart, 3402 Alabama Highway.

Cowan wants to replace his old sign, but the highway widening more than 20 years ago didn’t leave him as much room between his property and the street as the ordinance now requires. He said Labor Day is his busiest day of the year and his new sign is taking up storage space needed for merchandise.

Planning Director Sue Hiller was directed to call the citizen-members of the BOA to see when they could be available for a hearing.