Coffeeville Adopts Budget For New Fiscal Year
COFFEEVILLE – The town budget for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2011 was presented at the regular August meeting of the Board of Aldermen.
Revenue from all sources is projected at $576,339. The millage rate will remain at 40.257, with no tax increase anticipated, according to the minutes of the Aug. 3 meeting.
Expenditures are expected to be $320,800, about one percent less than the current year’s $325,800.
Among other actions at the meeting, the Board of Aldermen:
• Set new water and sewer rates that were scheduled to go into effect Sept. 1. The new water rate is $11.50 for the first 1000 gallons and $2 per thousand gallons over the initial 1000.
The sewer rate is $11 per month with a $2 charge for each additional 1000 gallons in excess of 2000 gallons. Any sewer customer outside the city limits will be charged $12 per month and $2.25 for each additional 1000 in excess of 1000 gallons.
These rates will not affect customers outside one mile of the Town limits until they are approved by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
• Agreed to hold a public hearing at the September meeting on a request for a zoning variance.
Cheryl Bobo asked the Board to grant a variance to allow her to operate a beauty salon at her home at 38 Northwest St.
• Resolved to assess costs for cleaning property belonging to David Edward Hall, Jr.
• Agreed to hold a public hearing concerning property owned by Jimmy Earl Aaron at 14290 Main Street.
• Heard from Mayor Mack Burns that in order to continue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program the Town would have to adopt a new flood ordinance.
• Tabled action on bids for work on the Town’s water tanks.
Willis Engineering had recommended Robinson and Sons Construction as the lowest and best bid. However, based on the bid, the Town’s portion of the costs would be about $70,000 instead of the original $50,000.
• Tabled an annexation resolution awaiting additional paperwork.
• Agreed to sell surplus property, a used truck, to Roger Arbuckle for $600.
• Adjourned until a special meeting on Aug. 17. Present were Mayor Burns, Aldermen Michael Ayers, Joe Bourn, George Miller, Bryan McCullough, Alderwoman Eva Longstreet, Town Clerk Brenda Gibson, Town Attorney William L. Maxey, and Police Chief Mark Martin.
Special Called Meeting
The Town Board met on Aug. 17 to adopt the Flood Plain Management Ordinance that is required by FEMA in order for the Town to participate in the NFIP.
The proposed ordinance is basically the same format that Yalobusha County and Water Valley are using, according to the minutes.
Mayor Burns presented the new proposed flood plain map for the Town that will take in several homes and businesses that were not included on the old map.
The main reason for the changes to the flood plain map is that the Corps of Engineers will not certify a Corps levee that protects the Town from flooding from Grenada Lake. Since the Corp will not certify the levee, FEMA will not recognize it, the minutes state.
• Adopted an annexation resolution that takes in a portion of Hwy. 330 west of Hwy. 7.
The board tabled action Aug. 3 awaiting legal descriptions of the old and new corporate limits along with the resolution. The documentation was needed in order for the Town to proceed with the annexation of the 330 Superstop, according to the minutes.
• Heard from Mayor Burns that he had been informed by Willis Engineering that sandblasting of the water tank on the Hwy. 7 bypass would have to be cut in order to stay within budget.
Aldermen recommended that Burns negotiate with the low bidder to complete all four addendum items for the amount available for the project. They agreed if the low bidder can’t perform the work within the budgeted amount, then the Town will re-advertise.
• Heard from Alder-man Bryan McCullough who inquired about equipment purchased for L&N Management with a Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG).
L&N closed and the equipment is not being used. Burns will contact USDA Rural Development for guidance.
•Adjourned. In attendance were Mayor Burns and Aldermen Aldermen Michael Ayers, Joe Bourn, George Miller, Bryan McCullough, Alderwoman Eva Longstreet, and Town Attorney Larry Maxey.
