This from Ward 5 Alderman Matt Cox:

Overall retail business activity in Starkville remains strong as indicated by a surprisingly good March sales tax report. Sales tax collections increased 2.79% compared to the same period last year.

While we have seen stronger numbers over the past few years, our performance was still one of the few bright spots in the region. For March, Columbus -6.53%, Tupelo -6.49%, Oxford -1.62%, and Mississippi -1.86%.

Now 6 months into our fiscal year, the YTD performance is as follows:
Starkville +.94%
Columbus -5.16%
Tupelo -3.79%
Oxford -.80%
Mississippi -2.39%

As you know, there is a reporting lag.  Our March tax report represents what went through cash registers in January.

Matt Cox

Hi Robbie,

Here’s a brief summary of tonight’s board highlights (based on my memory):

Approval of the agenda including consent agenda with some suggested
items removed from the consent agenda by Aldermen Cox and Davis.

Approval of previous minutes done in two motions with Alderman Cory not
voting on one due to being sick and absent at those meetings.

Request by Sumner Davis to take a brief recess (about 30 minutes) for
the board to attend the visitation for mother and two children who died
tragically during the rain storm.

Two citizen comments.

Public appearance from Mr. Robert Jamison of the U.S. Census Bureau
requesting support from the city to assist with a full 2010 count. He
stressed the need for the city and county to work together.

Public appearance from Kathy Jacobs of the Starkville Arts Walk
Committee. She requested that South Lafayette be closed (it was approved
in the consent agenda) for the April 25 Arts Walk — kickoff is 10:00 AM
- 2:00 PM. Website at http://artswalk.starkvilleinmotion.org/

Public hearing to review two proposed ordinance changes (involving
repealing and replacing): 1) involving setting mowing standards for
non-agricultural, commercially zoned land and 2) governing detached
carports and garages, swimming pools, fences and walls and other
accessory structures. Some discussion over these, particularly with
Alderman Cox asking that they not be overly restrictive to nature
preserves and for people who do their own work such as building fences.
Alderman McLaurin discussed the weak swimming pool ordinance (little
enforcement if no permit is obtained) and potential problems with
erosion and water runnoff from improperly designed pools. There will be
at least one more public hearing on each of these.

Sidewalk committee purpose and terms formally authorized.

Recycling committee report from Aldermen McLaurin and Davis. Formal
adoption of 4 motions (unanimous as I recall) to establish voluntary
curbside recycling involving citizen requests for special bags and an
every-other-Wednesday pickup. Emphasis on lack of new costs for
taxpayers. Mayor Camp suggested that Starkville Daily News’ Kelly
Daniels and StarkvilleNow’s Robbie Coblentz be added to this committee
so they could help educate citizens on this new program. Board agreed
(unanimously as I recall) with Alderman Perkins suggesting that they not
be pressured as journalists and Alderman McLaurin pointing out they were
citizens and able to serve in that capacity also.

City Engineer report on altering the 4 year road plan to shuffle funding
to maximize the usage of federal funds. Adopted after some questions and
discussions.

Brief city clerk report on the medical municipal reserve account.

Electric department request for a commercial lawn mower at a cost of
around $5300 which is less than the current annual contract for grass
cutting of about $600/month. Alderman Cox asked if a mower could be
shared to save even more money. Reply was it is difficult since they are
so much in use during the busy season. Most of board voted for the mower
(6-1 as I recall).

Police Chief request for an officer to go to sniper school. Approved by
5-2 vote as I recall.

Lots of discussion over the sanitation department’s request for an
almost $200,000 sanitation truck (20 yard front loader). Emphasis was
made that this is a smaller truck that would do less damage to curbs and
gutters and be able to pass on smaller streets. Aldermen Perkins and
Cox expressed reservations over this expenditure. Aldermen Davis and
Cory pointed out that the funding for this truck was already in the
approved budget. Passed by a 4-3 vote as I recall with Aldermen Perkins,
Cox and Lincoln opposing. Several containers were also approved by a 6-1
vote as I recall.

No executive session.

Adjourned about 7:30 until the next recess meeting.

In addition to myself (Ward 5) and those on the board, I saw the
following municipal candidates in attendance:

Ben Carver (Ward 1 – briefly there)
Juliette Weaver-Reese (Ward 1)
John Gaskin (Ward 3)
Marnita Henderson (Mayor)

Mike
–
Mike Allen, President & “Chief Executive Shopper”
Shopping-Bargains.com, LLC – Coupons & Deals for 1000+ Stores

http://www.shopping-bargains.com/
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102 Briarwood Drive, Starkville, MS 39759

(662) 320-2028 (direct) | (662) 595-4125 (fax)
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mta1

Sheriff Dolph Bran has resumed his crusade in front of the Supes to revoke Highlands/Cowbells resort status.  He has complained of too many calls (198 over 12 months) and claims serving alcohol there poses a threat to the community.  Really?   Is it any more or less dangerous to sell there than a mile or two up old 82 at Dave’s or Rick’s?  What makes that location combined with alcohol so dangerous?

This week’s poll question asks whether Higlands should keep their resort status.    What do you think?

The SDN reports on another incident alleged to have happen with the same intruder that was seen at Ward Steward Thursday. The police have issued a full description here.

 The Dispatch sums up the WS event here.