As infrastructure emergencies such as broken water pipes more frequently become a topic of discussion, the Starkville Board of Aldermen will look to create a plan to address the needs throughout town.
"I am tired of us doing nothing but being reactive," Mayor Lynn Spruill said.
The topic of discussion arose during the Aldermen's work session last week, when Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk gave a break down of the city's budget and allocation of funds.
Spruill said she has been in discussion with City Engineer Terry Kemp about what the city's opportunities of addressing these issues are, which led to the possibility of sending crews in areas where the worst leaks are in the city.
"That apparently is a reasonable way to do it," Spruill said. "Every time you repair a leak, you put pressure on another section of the line and it leaks again."
One example Spruill provided was in Pleasant Acres, where there have been multiple issues with infrastructure needs. She said the goal would be to fix everything in the area and move to the next spot.
The designated areas would be where the city responds to on a regular basis.
"That obviously is something that I think would be very beneficial to us as a community long term," Spruill said.
Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver said it is obvious this is not just city issue, but an issue across the nation and within the state.
"For first time in nine years, residents are saying they're tired of it, what's it going to take?" Carver said.
The only disagreement Carver said he had was how the board would go about picking the specific areas and neighborhoods in need of repair. He said there would need to be a way of selecting and ranking them on a needs basis.
Carver also brought up the potential annexation and how this could affect how the city addressed the infrastructure needs. He asked if this could be a potential issue of allocating funds moving forward.
Spruill responded saying, there are many revenue generators that would be brought within the city limits if they were to annex. She said the particular areas would be apartment complexes like Helix Apartments, The Retreat, 21 Apartments and other businesses right outside town.
"The intent is to not create further financial hardship for the city just for population," Spruill said. "The intent is to have that offsetting revenue associated with those things that are in an urban environment and not paying the benefits of getting in an urban environment."
In terms of how the city would address the areas, Spruill said the city could fix everything in one area instead of having to come back and tear up the ground again then move to the next area.
"I would rather you tear it up all at once and be done with it and don't come back," Spruill said. "Then find yourself coming back time after time after time."
Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker said at the end of the day, the infrastructure needs are all over the city, so there will have to be a time where they will pick and choose which places need the most attention and the fastest.
Walker said looking at this plan allows the board to put all of the cards on the table of how and when the different needs of infrastructure adjustments can be planned out.
"Now's the opportunity where you're vetting all of that out," Walker said. "If we're putting the money in there, let's put the money in the way that's going to put us in the best position for generations down the road."
Walker said the city can't make the fixes all over, but they can start with a thorough plan. He said he would be on board to committing to addressing these concerns.
Walker said one of the things he would like to see happen this year and down the road would be dedicated millage that is only for streets. He said if they had four or five mils, it would prevent the city from having to use bonds, which could be used for other projects and needs.
"I think the city needs to move in that direction," Walker said. "I think we are plenty capable of doing that."
Spruill said if this were a plan the board was looking to tackle, water rates would go up, and asked if the board would be ready for that.
"We've got to be able to say this is what we want to do, and here's why we're doing it and here's the proof of what it's going to get you," Spruill said. "You're going to see a difference in your neighborhood over the long haul."
Spruill said once the improvements are made, it will benefit the area by increasing property values.
Walker said he wants to be able to see the plan and schedule if they are to move forward. He said if the city is going to say water rates are going to go up, have a GIS specialist show the board problematic areas.
Spruill said she agreed with Walker's points, and was using this an opportunity to see how the board would feel about funding and allocation of funds.
"I just want to make sure that the sense of doing that is here," Spruill said.
Ward 5 Alderman Patrick Miller said he agrees with putting a plan together that would allow for their constituents to know the timeline of events, and when the projects would be completed. He said this is a need for the city, but it also affects economic development.
Miller said he doesn't want this to become a larger issue, and thinks if they can stay ahead of the problems, it will save the city from continuously fixing problems as they come to light.
"Let's actually get something on paper and be proactive in that manner," Miller said. "Id like to see Starkville be above the curve on that."