The Starkville Board of Aldermen will vote Tuesday night on the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority’s 2013 budget, which includes the final $100,000 for the first year of a three-year contract with the Golden Triangle Regional Development Link.
OCEDA, the city, county and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership will collectively contribute $350,000 a year.
With Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins absent, the aldermen unanimously passed the city’s part of the contract at a joint meeting with the Oktibbeha County Supervisors on Oct. 31. In a statement, Perkins did not say specifically whether he would have voted for the contract, but said he would not vote for anything that raised taxes on the citizens of Starkville.
OCEDA is funded in part by a two-percent food and beverage tax revenue collected by the city and must present its annual budget to be approved by the board of aldermen.
Mayor Parker Wiseman said he does not anticipate any issues with passing the budget.
“The board is well-versed on the contracts and has approved their part already,” Wiseman said. “(The $100,000) is the most significant thing in the budget, but it is really similar to last year.”
In other business, city clerk Taylor Adams, who has been in his position roughly six months, will report to the board on the progress he has made in his time with the city. He will also present his strategies for the upcoming fiscal year.
“He has had an opportunity to put in place his office management strategies, all of which decisions have already come before the board,” Wiseman said. “But this is an opportunity to get a big picture look at the strategies he has implemented over the past several months.”
The Starkville Board of Aldermen will meet at City Hall Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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