Rome Rotary’s weekly luncheon Thursday gave members insight on projects that would be funded by a special purpose, local option sales tax up for vote in November.

One of those projects is a new, $26.7 million communitywide public safety communication system. Scotty Hancock, Floyd County Emergency Management Association director, told Rotarians the system is sorely needed.

“(The) communication system is our lifeline back to the 911 center and the lifeline to emergency responders during times of emergency,” Hancock said.

Hancock described the current system, constructed 50 years ago, as woefully unable to keep up with newer systems available. He is also concerned that the current system — housed in a small shack and running off a single radio tower — will not allow emergency responders to act quickly in times of great emergency.

“Floyd County is still carrying an aging bag phone while everyone else is updating to new technology and have a Blackberry,” he said about the communication system.

At an estimated $26.7 million, the cost for the new system is high, Hancock said, and it would cost an estimated $400,000 a year to maintain. But he feels it is worth it for the county’s long term development.

“We feel like this is a system that can grow and that we can build on in the future,” he said.

Other projects that would be funded by the proposed $42.3 million SPLOST include the creation of the North Floyd industrial site, improvements to the Rome-Floyd County Fire Department, Barron stadium renovations and improvements, renovations of the Regional Commission Building and improving the Cave Spring water system.

SPLOST Citizens Advisory Committee member Randy Quick, also general manager of Rome Radio Partners, presented brief information on the other projects, but was most excited about the improvements to Barron stadium.

“Having that elevator will be great for those of us who have to lug equipment up to the press box,” he said.