City, County Renews Tax Agreement
Aldermen vote during the meeting Apr. 5.
Water Valley Main Street Director Mickey Howley updates Aldermen on the organizations work.
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – The County will continue to collect ad valorem tax for the city after Aldermen approved a new agreement with Yalobusha County Tax Assessor/Collector Linda Shuffield.
Mayor Larry Hart told Aldermen that for many years the county has collected ad valorem taxes (vehicle registration fees) and then “reimburses the city the portion we’ve got coming.”
The last agreement was signed in 1999, the Mayor said. It stipulated that the county would get five percent for collecting the fees.
“It’s nothing different,” Mayor Hart said. “We’ve been doing it for years. It’s time for a new agreement.”
In other actions at the April 5 “first Tuesday” meeting, the Board of Aldermen:
• Heard a report from Water Valley Main Street Director Mickey Howley.
Howley told Aldermen that David Arbuckle, a craftsman who works in stained glass, has set up a small studio in the old Hendricks Machine Shop building on South Main Street.
Another new business, Rounders Pizza Deli, has opened downtown in the building once occupied by King Furniture, Howley said. And, Yalo Studio has opened in the former Wade’s Barber Shop.
Yet another new business is opening in the former service station on South Main. “It has been cleaned up and is no longer a DEQ issue,” Howley added. “The lady that owns it is now selling crayfish there on the weekends.”
The owners plan to turn the building into a restaurant, he said. What kind they don’t know yet.
Howley continued that Water Valley could get a Blues Trail Marker because of its railroad heritage and connections to Casey Jones and the song. He said that Scott Barretta, blues expert from Ole Miss, visited Monday, Apr. 4, and gave a talk on the Blues Trail Marker program at the Main Street office.
The program is being touted by the Mississippi Development Authority as an economic development program, he said. The Blues Trail brings a lot of outside tourists into the state.
Finally, Howley reminded Aldermen that the World’s Largest Crappie Festival is Saturday, May 7.
• Voted to accept the low bid of $14,300 from Ladd’s in Memphis for an “infield groomer” for the Crawford Sports Complex.
Mayor Hart told the Board that the infield drag would not cost the city anything since he had gotten it donated through a local person who has agreed to cover the cost.
• Agreed to an interlocal agreement and joint resolution with Yalobusha County for the purchase of radio equipment for the police department.
Yalobusha Emergency Management Agency Dir-ector Frank Hyde is going to apply for a FEMA grant that he believes will provide the equipment for both the county and city, Mayor Hart said.
• Voted to provide a quick claim deed for “seven-tenths of an acre of wilderness” near the wastewater treatment plant.
The property in question adjoins land owned by Mike Edwards and the property line is in question. Mayor Hart emphasized that Edwards was in no way upset. “He just wants to get it cleared up.”
• Placed in the record that City Clerk Vivian Snider attended a Municipal Court Clerk seminar at the University of Mississippi.
• Adopted an ordinance to the solid waste ordinance to correct errors in dumpster rates.
• Heard from Mayor Hart who passed along an invitation from Lance Clements of the Magnolia Youth League for City officials to attend the grand opening of this year’s season.
The ceremony was held this past Monday, April 11, at the Crawford Sports Complex.
• Adjourned after meeting for just over 17 minutes. The next regular meeting of the city board is scheduled for May 3 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at City Hall.
