A restaurant purchased kitchen equipment on January $1,2017.$ On January $1,2019,$ the value of the equipment was $$14,600.$ The value after that date was modeled as follows

$V(t)=14,600e^{-0\mathrm{.}153t}$

a$)$ What is the rate of change in the value of the equipment on January $1,2019?$

b$)$ What was the original value of the equipment on January $1,2017?$

a$)$ The rate of change in the value of the equipment on January $1,2019$ was dollars per year.

$($Type an integer or decimal rounded to two decimal places as needed.$)$