The Starkville Parks and Recreation Department has caught up on utility bill payments from the previous fiscal years, according to Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman.
"We beat the schedule by a couple of months, it's nice to have the issue behind us," Wiseman said. "It removes what had become a major burden for the parks department."
The city took over the department in 2015, and city officials started an aggressive payment plan to handle arrearages the department incurred under the control of the Starkville Parks Commission. Utility bills make up a large portion of parks department monthly expenditures, Wiseman said.
Bill payments were doubled last fall, in hopes of making all payments by June. City leaders set aside $450,000 for bill payments, an increase of almost $150,000 from previous budget cycles.
"When you add additional payments for arrearages on top of an already large bill, it puts a strain on the operations of the department," Wiseman said.
Last year, the parks department owed around $125,000 to Starkville Utilities.
Additional funds will remain in the department's budget and then move to covering departmental operating costs in the new fiscal year.
The initial utility bill issue surfaced following a 2013 audit of the department. A funding increase was granted by city leaders but then took additional action and approved a $60,000 bail out in 2014 after budget issues showed the department would be unable to cover payroll that year.
The move to rein in the department comes amid a comprehensive master planning effort to evaluate, redesign and improve the entire Starkville parks system. Planning of the detailed document kicked off with public input sessions in February. The long-range plan will let the city set clear goals for improving the parks system, while benefiting the community.
On May 18, department officials and city leaders will meet with consultants for two planning sessions regarding the comprehensive document. The public is encouraged to attend, Wiseman said.
Dalhoff Thomas Design Studio has been working on compiling the preliminary presentation since being picked by aldermen last fall to complete the study.
"It's an exciting process. They've been working for the past six months to craft a vision for the next 20 years of development of our parks system," Wiseman said. "I haven't seen their presentation yet. I am anxiously anticipating hearing their findings and recommendations."
The meetings will be at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., in the main conference room on the second floor at City Hall, 110 W. Main St.