The Starkville Daily News will sit down with each member of the Starkville Board of
Aldermen, discussing previous and future accomplishments for the city as the new year begins. Our series began with Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, and will end with Mayor Lynn Spruill.
MOST PLEASED WITH THIS PAST YEAR
This past year, Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Alderman Roy A’. Perkins said there were two dominate issues he was pleased with.
Perkins said he was most pleased with the city finding a location and funding for the Starkville Police Department’s new headquarters. Perkins was on the board when the issue first came to the table.
“I’m just so excited and ecstatic that the city has placed the chief and his staff in a building and at a location where they can just be able to be there comfortably, and to have a building where there is room for growth for at least the next 20 years,” Perkins said.
Perkins noted Mayor Lynn Spruill offered some of her property to house parts of the department at no cost other than to pay utilities. Initially the request was denied, but was approved when Perkins brought it back to discussion.
“She needs to commended,” Perkins said. “I want to commend her on behalf of all of the taxpayers of this great city in that she offered that space for the police department and that saved the city a lot of money.”
Now with SPD under one roof, Perkins said the execution and productivity of the department and officers has been outstanding in serving the people of Starkville.
“That issue alone, in my opinion among all other issues is the one I am most pleased with,” Perkins said. “We got that done under the last term.”
Another item Perkins was pleased with involves the soon-to-open Walmart Community Market. He said representatives from Walmart approached the board during the 2013 to 2017 term, asking for a $1.3 million dollar subsidy to fund the construction of the business.
He said the board voted no to the request for money, saying it is important to stay consistent and fair to all corporations, big or small.
“I want to treat Walmart just like the Vice Mayor treats all other businesses,” Perkins said. “As a conservative steward and servant of the taxpayer’s money, I was not about to vote to give Walmart $1.3 million dollars.”
With the Walmart opening this month, Perkins said it shows the importance of being consistent with business owners, because people are wanting to move to Starkville for business opportunities.
“Them coming here, and being here, and opening their doors real soon demonstrates that we have a very stable and viable economy,” Perkins said.
GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR
For the new year, Perkins said he wants to ensure the city provides a quality of life to all of the residents in his ward and throughout the city.
He said the city can do this by utilizing its existing revenue and available funds without having to have any tax increases this year.
“The goal is going to be to just operate within our means,” Perkins said. “I’m hoping there’s a goal this year that we can keep the burden of any tax increase off the taxpayers.”
This year, Perkins said the city needs to be more cognizant and efficient with its spending because the city currently has issues in need of being addressed.
Another goal Perkins wants, is for city employees to provide the best services for the residents, especially after approving a “healthy” salary adjustment. He said he is in favor of supporting reasonable wages, but he said the taxpayers expect a return in investment.
“I am, on behalf of the taxpayers, are looking forward to our employees continuously giving us the maximum productivity,” Perkins said.
In terms of cosmetics and infrastructure, Perkins said there are many areas in his ward he would like to address. He said some roads are currently in the capital improvement plan but he has some areas included in the 1998 annexation in need of being addressed.
Some of those roads include some which were recently acquired by the city.
“That is in the budget, but I want the board to follow through and ensure that those roads are chip sealed” Perkins said. “These quality of life issues are very important.”
BIGGEST ISSUE FOR 2018
Going into 2018, Perkins said the biggest issue will be the continuing discussion of the annexation of the city.
“Any time you talk about annexation, the community gets involved, the board gets involved into a very involved and contentious discussion,” Perkins said. “No one is going to ever be satisfied with any plan that comes up.”
With the annexation, Perkins said comes the potential question of redrawing the ward lines because of the extension of the city.
“That’s going to be a derivative of annexation,” Perkins said.
Perkins said his concern is the city is looking at bringing in more members and areas into the city, when it currently still has areas in need of the city’s services and attention.
“The question is, where are you going to get the money from to do all of that infrastructure improvements,” Perkins said. “We cannot even take care of what we’ve got from 1998 (annexation),”
Perkins said moving forward, many members of the board are looking to go far east and south, when the city should be equal and fair to its citizens and look west and north as well.
“At this point, I want to see the entire plan and I’ll make a decision based upon the evidence that’s presented,” Perkins said. “Let’s have an equitable plan”
PERSONAL RESOLUTION
Perkins said for his personal New Year’s resolution, he wants to continue to be the best servant that he can for God and his people. He also wants to be elected Chancery Court Judge.
Tomorrow the Starkville Daily News will take a look at Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn’s New Year’s resolutions.