The Starkville Board of Aldermen named Calvin Ware as the new department head of Sanitation and Environmental Services at its work session on Friday.
The board voted unanimously to approve Ware's title change from interim department head, effective immediately.
Mayor Lynn Spruill said Ware is "intimately" familiar with the sanitation department, which he has been a part of since 1993.
Spruill emphasized Ware's work ethic pushed well beyond the 40- hour work week and proved to the board he was perfect for the job.
"There's never been anything that I've called him for that he hasn't been willing to do," Spruill said. "I think it's an appropriate time for us to say thank you and by that, give him the department head job and let him make the most of it."
Ware said he was delighted and "overwhelmed" when the board approved to appoint him as the head of the department.
"It's been a long time coming, so I'm glad to accept the position and I'm glad they are giving me the opportunity to express myself and to be the head of the Sanitation and Environmental Services," Ware said.
BOARD OKs BUDGET
The board also approved the new fiscal year's budget. Spruill told the SDN passing a budget is one of the most necessary items a board can address.
“Through your budget you determine your policies and who you are going be and what you're going to consider important is what put your money toward," Spruill said.
The current millage rate for the city for the 2017 fiscal year is set at 25.58 mills. This number did not change from last year. Although the millage rate did not increase, because the county approved to implement a higher millage rate, residents can expect a change in their tax bill. The next board meeting will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at City Hall.
OTHER BUSINESS:
•The board will hold its second public hearing on the proposed alcohol ordinance change on Tuesday. The board will then take a vote on whether to accept the proposed changes or dismiss them.
•The board has not yet received a recommendation or additional information on the next steps for the new Starkville Police Department headquarters. Spruill said she will ask engineer Clyde Pritchard to speak at the meeting if there is any new information.
•The board will hold its first public hearing on amending the smoking ordinance. The amendment would update language in the ordinance to include electronic cigarettes.