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.