Rome Tennis Center Employees Could Receive Pension Credit for Previous Years of Service

The City of Rome is considering a change to its Defined Benefit Pension Plan that could allow Rome Tennis Center (RTC) employees to receive retirement credit for years they worked at the facility under its previous management company.

City Clerk Joe Smith explained that the City of Rome will begin directly operating the Rome Tennis Center in January 2027. As part of the transition, RTC employees will become City employees and will be eligible for City benefits, including participation in the City’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

During a recent Pension Committee meeting, Lisa Smith, Executive Director of Tourism, asked the committee to consider amending the pension plan to give affected RTC employees credit for the time they previously worked at the facility while employed by the management company.

Joe Smith noted that the City has taken similar steps in the past, pointing out that non-vested Floyd County employees who transfer directly from County employment to the City receive credit for their previous County service.

Smith said the group of RTC employees includes individuals who would meet the pension plan’s participation requirements. He also indicated that, because of the limited number of employees involved and the amount of credited service, he does not anticipate the proposed amendment creating a significant additional cost to the pension plan.

According to Smith, the Georgia Municipal Employee Benefit System (GMEBS) wants the affected employees to officially become City employees before an ordinance amending the pension plan is adopted.

If approved, the proposed ordinance would be brought before the Rome City Commission for consideration after January 1, 2027.

The Pension Committee voted unanimously to recommend amending the City’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan to credit RTC employees for the time they worked at the facility under the previous management company.

Chairperson Craig McDaniel made the motion, which was seconded by Wayne Stanley. The motion passed unanimously.

The recommendation will move forward for consideration by the Rome City Commission.