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Record of Proceedings

Southaven City Board Meeting - April 7, 2026: Parks Contracts, Emergency Repairs, Legislative Updates, and More

Mayor and Board of Aldermen — Tuesday, April 7, 2026

BodySouthaven, Mississippi

SessionMayor and Board of Aldermen

DateTuesday, April 7, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

5:22

Welcome everyone.

5:23

I'm now calling this meeting to order.

5:24

Please stand with us.

5:25

We'll be led in prayer by Alderman Gallagher.

5:28

Please remain standing after that for the pledge of allegiance.

5:30

That will be led by Alderman Lars George Payne.

5:36

Heavenly Father, we're so thankful for the opportunity to be here again tonight, Lord.

5:42

Lord, I just want to uh pray for our soldiers that are uh away from us, Lord Jesus, and just pray for uh your protection around the board as they go and uh do their jobs Lord take care of every one of them Lord we also pray that you'd uh be with us during this meeting Lord that uh you would lead everything and we would leave nothing in your name properly I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republicans under God on the agenda this evening is the approval of minutes for the March 17 2026 meeting so moved second we have a motion by Alderman Hoots, a second by Alderman Payne for any discussion hearing none roll callderman payne.

6:45

Yes, Alderman Lewis, yes, Alderman Hoots, yes, Alderman Jerome, yes, Alderman Gallagher, yes, Arderman Wheeler, yes, Arterman Forz, yes, yes, that motion carries next on our agenda are parks contracts with Rose Calsack and Mid South Sports Productions.

7:06

I guess Mayor Board, these contracts with Rose Callisack and Mid South Productions or Sports Productions are renewal contracts that we have for our parks department.

7:14

The first contract with Rose Calisac is for a term through December 31st, 2029, and it's for the facilitation and assistance for writing the softball tournaments at Greenbrook.

7:23

She'll provide eight tournaments with two additional softball tournaments.

7:26

She uh won't be resort Calistack won't be responsible for concessions and gift shops and maintenance.

7:31

That'll be a city function.

7:32

Um it'll have the 30-day termination for convenience clause.

7:36

Second contract is also or is with Mid South Sports Production.

7:39

Um expire December 31st, 2029 as well.

7:42

Um that contract uh will be for the tournaments of Snowden.

7:47

Um same terms as our previous contracts.

7:49

These will just renew the contracts for additional uh three and a half years um as presented and set forth in the contracts for your approval.

8:02

We have a motion alderman pain, second Alterman Lewis.

8:05

Is there any discussion?

8:09

And again, it's my understanding that this is an extension, there's no material changes to the to the agreement.

8:15

Correct.

8:15

There's no uh material changes, no substance changes, it's just the dates.

8:22

Any other discussion?

8:25

Hearing none roll call.

8:26

Alderman Payne.

8:27

Yes.

8:27

Alderman Lewis, yes, Alderman Hoods?

8:29

Yes.

8:31

Yes.

8:34

Yes.

8:34

That motion carries.

8:35

Next on our agenda.

8:38

There's a letter of no objection to Texas gas.

8:41

This uh letter of no objection we needs uh approval for Dylan Brink to sign.

8:46

Uh this will be authorizing the city to uh construct a fence on the city's property near the city hall.

8:52

Uh that'll uh be somewhat over uh different areas of the Texas gas easement for the gas line.

8:59

Um Dylan has met with the Texas gas representatives, um so if they are comfortable with the terms of the actual no objection, this will give us authorization to uh construct the fence along with being on their easement and the rights they have with the fence over the easement, but we need this to be signed by Dylan so it can be filed to Chancellor Clark's office for the no objection so we can construct the fence uh set forth in the agreement.

9:23

Make that motion second.

9:25

We have a motion alterman gallagher, second by Alderman Wheeler, is there any discussion?

9:32

Hearing none, roll call, please.

9:34

Alderman Payne.

9:35

Yes.

9:35

Alderman Lewis, yes.

9:36

Alderman Hutz.

9:37

Yes.

9:38

Alderman Jerome.

9:38

Yes.

9:39

Alterman Gallagher.

9:40

Yes.

9:41

Artman Flores.

9:42

Yes.

9:42

That motion carries.

9:43

Next on our agenda is a resolution for emergency utilities repair.

9:48

This resolution just ratifies the expenditure on the amount of five thousand one hundred and twenty dollars uh associated with emergency repairs for the emergency line board and uh Debbie Drive and Donna Cove uh was done by CD construction LLC just need authorization to approve the expenditure since it was over 5,000 and needed to be done in order to ensure uh utility services for that area.

10:00

Just need authorization to approve the expenditure since it was over 5,000 and needed to be done in order to ensure utility services for that area.

10:08

So moved.

10:10

Second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████████████████████████████████43%

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%

Public Safety██████████10%

Legal Affairs██████████10%

Technology and Innovation█████████9%

Water And Wastewater Management███████7%

Economic Development██████6%

Parks and Recreation████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Southaven City Board Meeting - April 7, 2026

The Southaven Board of Aldermen convened on April 7, 2026, for a regular meeting covering a wide range of routine and significant items. The meeting began with a prayer and pledge of allegiance, followed by unanimous approvals of minutes, contracts, resolutions, and multiple agenda items. Mayor’s report highlighted key legislative victories and ongoing projects.

Consent Calendar

Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved the minutes from the March 17, 2026 meeting.
Parks Contracts: Approved renewal contracts with Rose Calisack (softball tournaments at Greenbrook) and Mid South Sports Productions (tournaments at Snowden), both extending through December 31, 2029, with no material changes.
Texas Gas Letter of No Objection: Authorized the mayor to execute a letter allowing the city to construct a fence on city property near City Hall over a Texas gas easement.
Emergency Utilities Repair Resolution: Ratified a $5,120 expenditure to CD Construction LLC for emergency repairs to an emergency line on Debbie Drive and Donna Cove.
Emergency Generator Rental Contract: Ratified an emergency rental agreement with Thompson for a backup generator at City Hall, as the existing generator has a failed alternator.
Community Bank Easement: Authorized the mayor to sign a revised easement from Community Bank, reducing and relocating the previous easement needed for utility relocation on Goodman Road (I-55 widening project).
Court Department Contract with TransUnion: Approved a three-year renewal (at $230/month) for cloud-based software to locate defendants who fail to appear, with 500 transactions per month.
IT Department Contract with Civic Plus: Approved a contract for ADA compliance monitoring of the city website, including PDF-to-speech capabilities, with first-year cost of $17,703 (with discounts on audio and doc access).
Resolution for DeSoto County Economic Development Council Sponsorship: Approved sponsorship for the economic council’s “Loot Industry” event.
Police Department Surplus Property Resolution: Declared surplus two categories of property—city-purchased vehicles/equipment and forfeited property through circuit court—per Mississippi Code 17-25-25.
Final Change Order for Nell Road Extension Project: Approved a $11,969.34 increase (total change order) to ACUF, closing out the project with Civil Link’s recommendation.
Resolution to Clean Private Property: Adopted a resolution granting authority to clean private property; no audience members with financial interest spoke.

Planning Agenda (Discussion and Voting)

Subdivision Application (7381 Getwell Road): Approved a variance to allow subdivision of 1.31 acres into two lots (7.73 acres and 0.5+ acres) to match existing separate addresses and residences. Unanimously approved.
Hotel Design Review – Silo Square (Home2 Suites): Approved the design review for a three-story Home2 Suites hotel on the south end of Silo Square. The plan includes brick facade, painted accents, pilaster columns, adjusted landscaping, and reduced access points near the roundabout. Unanimously approved.
Vacation of Lot 2 – Angels Subdivision: Approved vacating Lot 2 of the Angels subdivision to correct a platting overlap with the previously approved Centerbrook PUD, allowing recording of residential lots. Unanimously approved.

Mayor’s Report – Key Legislative Updates

Washington D.C. Congressional Briefing Trip: Mayor reported productive meetings with Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker, and Congressman Trent Kelly, focusing on the Desoto County sewer disconnect from Memphis (deadline 2031). Secured commitment to explore federal and state funding for the $260 million problem.
Mississippi Legislative Session Recap:
- Tourism Tax (Restaurant Tax): Successfully extended (removes repeal date every four years).
- Municipal Jail Fees: A bill to remove caps on daily jail fees charged to cities was stopped. Mayor reiterated opposition, arguing city residents already pay county taxes.
- HB 1664 (Telecommunications Authority): Bill that would strip city control over streets was amended satisfactorily.
- HB 4045 (Economic Development Tax Cap): Bill to cap tax value for large developments (over $2B) and divert revenue to state was killed. Mayor called it “most socialistic piece of legislation.”
- Annexation Bill (Mandatory Referendum): Bill requiring referendum for annexations was killed. Mayor explained the court-based system works.
- DeSoto County Sewer (DeCrua): Received $10 million from the state, adding to $30-40 million secured; $260 million total needed.
- Sales Tax Diversion Correction: Discovered 65 businesses in Southaven were not receiving proper sales tax diversion from the state; corrected issue and recovered $2.3 million (three-year lookback). Legislation passed for a study to prevent future errors (authored by Rep. Rodney Hall).
- West End Redevelopment: Received $750,000 in state funding for the original business district.
- School Residency Proof (Vehicle Registration): Billboard requiring auto registration as proof of school residency did not pass this session but will be pursued again.
Star Landing Swing Roundabout: Motion carried to authorize the project to go to bid.

Donations, Personnel, and Financial Dockets

Donation Docket: Approved donations from Lucky Dog and Castle Retail Group to the Animal Shelter.
Personnel Docket: Approved as presented.
Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Docket: Approved as presented.
Claims Docket: Approved in the amount of $2,829,590.64, including demand checks.

Executive Session

Motion carried to enter executive session for claims and litigation against utilities and the fire department, economic development, and fire personnel/interdepartmental personnel (no action expected on the latter).

Key Outcomes

All votes were unanimous (7-0) on every item, with roll call votes recorded for each action.
The board authorized multiple contracts, expenditures, and planning approvals as described.
The mayor’s report communicated significant legislative wins and ongoing fiscal priorities.
The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome everyone. I'm now calling this meeting to order. Please stand with us. We'll be led in prayer by Alderman Gallagher. Please remain standing after that for the pledge of allegiance. That will be led by Alderman Lars George Payne. Heavenly Father, we're so thankful for the opportunity to be here again tonight, Lord. Lord, I just want to uh pray for our soldiers that are uh away from us, Lord Jesus, and just pray for uh your protection around the board as they go and uh do their jobs Lord take care of every one of them Lord we also pray that you'd uh be with us during this meeting Lord that uh you would lead everything and we would leave nothing in your name properly I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republicans under God on the agenda this evening is the approval of minutes for the March 17 2026 meeting so moved second we have a motion by Alderman Hoots, a second by Alderman Payne for any discussion hearing none roll callderman payne. Yes, Alderman Lewis, yes, Alderman Hoots, yes, Alderman Jerome, yes, Alderman Gallagher, yes, Arderman Wheeler, yes, Arterman Forz, yes, yes, that motion carries next on our agenda are parks contracts with Rose Calsack and Mid South Sports Productions. I guess Mayor Board, these contracts with Rose Callisack and Mid South Productions or Sports Productions are renewal contracts that we have for our parks department. The first contract with Rose Calisac is for a term through December 31st, 2029, and it's for the facilitation and assistance for writing the softball tournaments at Greenbrook. She'll provide eight tournaments with two additional softball tournaments. She uh won't be resort Calistack won't be responsible for concessions and gift shops and maintenance. That'll be a city function. Um it'll have the 30-day termination for convenience clause. Second contract is also or is with Mid South Sports Production. Um expire December 31st, 2029 as well. Um that contract uh will be for the tournaments of Snowden. Um same terms as our previous contracts. These will just renew the contracts for additional uh three and a half years um as presented and set forth in the contracts for your approval. We have a motion alderman pain, second Alterman Lewis. Is there any discussion? And again, it's my understanding that this is an extension, there's no material changes to the to the agreement. Correct. There's no uh material changes, no substance changes, it's just the dates. Any other discussion? Hearing none roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis, yes, Alderman Hoods? Yes. Yes. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda. There's a letter of no objection to Texas gas. This uh letter of no objection we needs uh approval for Dylan Brink to sign. Uh this will be authorizing the city to uh construct a fence on the city's property near the city hall. Uh that'll uh be somewhat over uh different areas of the Texas gas easement for the gas line. Um Dylan has met with the Texas gas representatives, um so if they are comfortable with the terms of the actual no objection, this will give us authorization to uh construct the fence along with being on their easement and the rights they have with the fence over the easement, but we need this to be signed by Dylan so it can be filed to Chancellor Clark's office for the no objection so we can construct the fence uh set forth in the agreement. Make that motion second. We have a motion alterman gallagher, second by Alderman Wheeler, is there any discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis, yes. Alderman Hutz. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes.

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Southaven City Board Meeting - April 7, 2026

Consent Calendar

Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved the minutes from the March 17, 2026 meeting.

Parks Contracts: Approved renewal contracts with Rose Calisack (softball tournaments at Greenbrook) and Mid South Sports Productions (tournaments at Snowden), both extending through December 31, 2029, with no material changes.

Texas Gas Letter of No Objection: Authorized the mayor to execute a letter allowing the city to construct a fence on city property near City Hall over a Texas gas easement.

Emergency Utilities Repair Resolution: Ratified a $5,120 expenditure to CD Construction LLC for emergency repairs to an emergency line on Debbie Drive and Donna Cove.

Emergency Generator Rental Contract: Ratified an emergency rental agreement with Thompson for a backup generator at City Hall, as the existing generator has a failed alternator.

Community Bank Easement: Authorized the mayor to sign a revised easement from Community Bank, reducing and relocating the previous easement needed for utility relocation on Goodman Road (I-55 widening project).

Court Department Contract with TransUnion: Approved a three-year renewal (at $230/month) for cloud-based software to locate defendants who fail to appear, with 500 transactions per month.

IT Department Contract with Civic Plus: Approved a contract for ADA compliance monitoring of the city website, including PDF-to-speech capabilities, with first-year cost of $17,703 (with discounts on audio and doc access).

Resolution for DeSoto County Economic Development Council Sponsorship: Approved sponsorship for the economic council’s “Loot Industry” event.

Police Department Surplus Property Resolution: Declared surplus two categories of property—city-purchased vehicles/equipment and forfeited property through circuit court—per Mississippi Code 17-25-25.

Final Change Order for Nell Road Extension Project: Approved a $11,969.34 increase (total change order) to ACUF, closing out the project with Civil Link’s recommendation.

Resolution to Clean Private Property: Adopted a resolution granting authority to clean private property; no audience members with financial interest spoke.

Planning Agenda (Discussion and Voting)

Subdivision Application (7381 Getwell Road): Approved a variance to allow subdivision of 1.31 acres into two lots (7.73 acres and 0.5+ acres) to match existing separate addresses and residences. Unanimously approved.

Hotel Design Review – Silo Square (Home2 Suites): Approved the design review for a three-story Home2 Suites hotel on the south end of Silo Square. The plan includes brick facade, painted accents, pilaster columns, adjusted landscaping, and reduced access points near the roundabout. Unanimously approved.

Vacation of Lot 2 – Angels Subdivision: Approved vacating Lot 2 of the Angels subdivision to correct a platting overlap with the previously approved Centerbrook PUD, allowing recording of residential lots. Unanimously approved.

Mayor’s Report – Key Legislative Updates

Washington D.C. Congressional Briefing Trip: Mayor reported productive meetings with Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker, and Congressman Trent Kelly, focusing on the Desoto County sewer disconnect from Memphis (deadline 2031). Secured commitment to explore federal and state funding for the $260 million problem.

Mississippi Legislative Session Recap:

Tourism Tax (Restaurant Tax): Successfully extended (removes repeal date every four years).
Municipal Jail Fees: A bill to remove caps on daily jail fees charged to cities was stopped. Mayor reiterated opposition, arguing city residents already pay county taxes.
HB 1664 (Telecommunications Authority): Bill that would strip city control over streets was amended satisfactorily.
HB 4045 (Economic Development Tax Cap): Bill to cap tax value for large developments (over $2B) and divert revenue to state was killed. Mayor called it “most socialistic piece of legislation.”
Annexation Bill (Mandatory Referendum): Bill requiring referendum for annexations was killed. Mayor explained the court-based system works.
DeSoto County Sewer (DeCrua): Received $10 million from the state, adding to $30-40 million secured; $260 million total needed.
Sales Tax Diversion Correction: Discovered 65 businesses in Southaven were not receiving proper sales tax diversion from the state; corrected issue and recovered $2.3 million (three-year lookback). Legislation passed for a study to prevent future errors (authored by Rep. Rodney Hall).
West End Redevelopment: Received $750,000 in state funding for the original business district.
School Residency Proof (Vehicle Registration): Billboard requiring auto registration as proof of school residency did not pass this session but will be pursued again.

Star Landing Swing Roundabout: Motion carried to authorize the project to go to bid.

Donations, Personnel, and Financial Dockets

Donation Docket: Approved donations from Lucky Dog and Castle Retail Group to the Animal Shelter.

Personnel Docket: Approved as presented.

Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Docket: Approved as presented.

Claims Docket: Approved in the amount of $2,829,590.64, including demand checks.

Executive Session

Motion carried to enter executive session for claims and litigation against utilities and the fire department, economic development, and fire personnel/interdepartmental personnel (no action expected on the latter).

Key Outcomes

All votes were unanimous (7-0) on every item, with roll call votes recorded for each action.

The board authorized multiple contracts, expenditures, and planning approvals as described.

The mayor’s report communicated significant legislative wins and ongoing fiscal priorities.

The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session.

Meeting Transcript