Starkville's recently hired lobbing firm is meeting with top state officials in pursuit of $2.4 million for renovating city police headquarters, the Starkville Board of Aldermen heard Tuesday.
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman presented a timeline of updates starting a day after the lobbying contract was approved on Feb. 16 to present.
From Feb. 17 to 29, Cornerstone representatives conducted advance work through preliminary meetings with the staff of Lt. Governor Tate Reeves' office, the House Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Smith and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Joey Fillingane.
The state legislative session ends April 16.
"Those positions are critical because they deal most closely with the bond bill," Wiseman said during his presentation.
Aldermen officially approved a motion seeking funding March 1, after multiple meetings discussed design options for the historic building located at 101 E. Lampkin St.
"While the bond bill is not the only avenue for potential funding, it would be the most traditional avenue to get funding for the project," Wiseman added.
In that time, Cornerstone officials met with local delegation members: District 38 Rep. Tyrone Ellis , District 43 Rep. Rob Roberson, District 15 Sen. Gary Jackson and District 16 Sen. Angela Turner.
A legislative packet was prepared for later meetings with Senate and House leadership, Wiseman said.
From Feb. 29 to March 10, Wiseman met with committee chairmen and local delegates to formally present the legislative packet prepared by Cornerstone officials.
"The conversations we've had have been good," Wiseman said April 1. "I don't think there's anybody who didn't like the project. It just comes down to funding decisions that are made by the legislature."
From March 10 till present, Wiseman received "regular updates from the team," noting Cornerstone members follow up with committee leaders regularly.
Cornerstone is also pursuing an alternative funding route through the appropriations committee both in the House and Senate, Wiseman said.
"There's also a possibility that we could get some funding through state agency appropriations," Wiseman said.
The most likely source of alternative funding could come through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History due to the building's historic landmark status as a former Mississippi National Guard Armory.
"That's where we stand from Feb. 16 until now," Wiseman said.
In order to bring the building up to code and to preserve the building's historic landmark status, project costs would total around $5.4 million.
On Feb. 16, project architect Gary Shafer presented two possible renovation options with budgets totaling $3 million and $4.5 million. Both plans set up the option to include a host of design components.
The revised $5.4 million budget would include youth court services, a new second floor for administrative staff, plumbing, electric and fire protection code updates along with a host of exterior work including paving and striping with protected parking and a new sally port.
At the same meeting, aldermen entered into a 7-month, $30,000 contract with the lobbying firm in a 4-3 vote.
The firm could also help secure needed funds to complete environmental reclamation costs for the Thad Cochran Research, Technology & Economic Development Park expansion plan.
Other business
City officials welcomed five new SPD officers, three Starkville Fire Department firefighters, five sanitation workers and one IT specialist.
Fore a complete agenda, visit cityofstarkville.org.