Aldermen Take Step To Expand City Limits
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WATER VALLEY – City officials took the first step toward expanding Water Valley’s boundaries with a vote to begin the annexation process for portions of the W.C. Gardiner Industrial Park during a special called meeting on October 14.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds explained that the proposed annexation will apply only to city-owned land in the park and will not include existing private businesses operating there.
“Everything but the existing businesses,” Reynolds said. “We are putting a good deal of city investment in this property.”
The 127-acre industrial park includes an estimated 111 acres of city-owned property. Work began earlier this month on a new access road, prep work for a industrial site and signage —a $1.8 million project funded through a mix of federal, state, and local sources.
Reynolds said the move is another step toward preparing the park for long-term growth. “This annexation recognizes the city’s investment and positions us to support future industry in Water Valley,” he said.
Under Mississippi law, annexation follows a formal, court-approved process. After aldermen adopt a resolution of intent, the city must publish public notices for three consecutive weeks and hold a public hearing to gather input from affected residents. If officials decide to proceed, the city then files a petition in chancery court, where a judge determines whether the proposed expansion is reasonable and whether the city can provide essential services to the area. If approved, the court issues a final decree establishing the new municipal boundaries.
Other activity in the Oct. 14 special meeting and Oct. 7 regular meeting:
• Approved the second Tuesday at noon as the monthly test time for the city’s six weather sirens. Mayor Tommy Reynolds reported almost $3,000 has been spent on maintenance for the sirens during the last year.
“We want to test them on a regular basis to ensure they are operable,” Reynolds explained. “Most everybody in the city should be able to hear one of the sirens.”
• Heard from Lafayette Street resident Darlene Bounds, who asked city officials to consider adopting an ordinance limiting the number of dogs allowed on residential property within city limits. Bounds described ongoing problems with a neighboring property where numerous beagles are kept in raised pens near Town Creek, directly behind her home. She reported strong odors and said waste runoff from the pens flows into the creek, which ultimately drains into Enid Lake.
Bounds told aldermen she contacted the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), which cited the property owner for runoff, and also reached out to the Mississippi Department of Health for assistance. She said the situation amounts to a commercial kennel operation in a residential area.
“We are asking for an ordinance limiting how many dogs you can have in your backyard,” Bounds said.
“Honestly, he has a business at that house — selling and training dogs in the city limits.”
City Attorney Daniel Martin explained that the city currently has no ordinance limiting the number of dogs per household, though existing noise ordinances could apply. Aldermen instructed Code Enforcement Officer Will Carter to investigate the complaint and report his findings at a future meeting.
• Held a public hearing regarding the condition of property at 605 Chestnut Street. City Attorney Daniel Martin explained that the hearing was scheduled after aldermen previously determined the structure appeared to be in such disrepair or uncleanliness that it posed a menace to public health, safety, and welfare.
“The board at its last meeting determined from the evidence presented that your house seemed to be in such a state of disrepair or uncleanliness that it was a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of this community,” Martin told property owner Junior Earl Neely.
Martin described the city’s concerns more plainly, saying, “To put it in layman’s terms, a kid or a homeless person could crawl in there and get trapped and nobody would know they are in there because it is open. Or rats, roaches, nastiness, overgrowth. Does that make sense?”
Neely replied, “I hear what you are saying, but I’m not the only house over there,” referring to other neglected properties in the area.
“It’s not,” Martin acknowledged.
“It’s not fit for anything, is that what you are saying?” Neely asked.
“No sir,” Martin answered.
“Yes it is,” Neely said. “How are you going to put it then?”
Martin responded, “I think that if we could talk about ways in which you can board it up, or preserve it so that children or homeless can’t get in there.”
“I will board it up,” Neely agreed.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds added, “I wish you could do something so somebody can stay in it.”
“Naw, I am not going to fix it up where somebody can stay in it. But I will board it up,” Neely said.
Aldermen voted to continue the hearing until Nov. 4, giving Neely 30 days to secure the structure and ensure it no longer poses a threat to neighborhood safety.
