Budget, Budget, Budget

BOA focues on budget tonight. (Agenda and E-packet are online).

Here is an excerpt from the Board section of the agenda:

BOARD BUSINESS

A. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY FOR THEIR EXPENDITURE OF THE 2% FUNDS AUTHORIZED BY THE HB 1833 AND BOARD RESOLUTION DATED MARCH 16, 2004.

B. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR BULLDOG BASH AND THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $9,966.00 USING IN-KIND SERVICES.

C. CONSIDERATION OF A HIRING FREEZE AS OF AUGUST 5, 2009, UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2009, FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WATER AND LANDSCAPE DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT, STREET DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT AS APPLICABLE TO THEN CURRENTLY VACANT POSITIONS.

D. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE HEALTH CARRIER FOR THE CITY OF STARKVILLE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2010, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2009 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2010.

E. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET FOR THE 2% FUNDS FOR THE PARK COMMISSION.

Alderman Perkins wants to recapture more of the 2% hotel/food tax for city uses according to the SDN.

What about the MSU portion that was pledged from the Rutledge/Davis era? The shuttle system that it was intended for is greatly minimized. Why should the city hand over that portion of their tax base?

If MSU wants to generate any sort of 2% type tax, let them impose it on on-campus food sales, especially since they are requiring freshmen to purchase meal plans.