Starkville Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins is warning his fellow aldermen against going into executive session today to discuss a possible tax increment financing (TIF) package for a prospective developer.
In an email to The Dispatch, the vice mayor wrote it is his opinion to have the talks “for the sole purpose of determining the opinions and thoughts of each alderman as to whether the city of Starkville should approve a TIF plan to pledge” property and sales taxes toward developing the project’s infrastructure.
The talks, he said, would meet the spirit of the Open Meetings Act if they’re held in the public’s purview.
“The public certainly and definitely has a right to be informed … as to how its funds are being appropriated and spent. I am of the opinion that the laws of this state do not allow the board to go into executive session to have a discussion to conduct official city business regarding this specific matter,” he said in the email. “The board should not shield and hide itself from the public in discussing this specific matter. The mayor and board of aldermen are accountable to the public, and the public should hear all discussions concerning this matter.”
City officials declined to comment on the record about Perkins’ email or disclose the potential development, but those close to the situation said the TIF package is not close to being finalized.
The board’s e-packet for Tuesday’s meeting shows an agenda item named “Transaction of business and discussion or negotiation regarding the location of business” listed for closed-door talks.
In June, Perkins was the lone vote against a $3 million-maximum improvement package for HPM Development LLC’s proposed $21.9 million project that will build a car dealership complex, office space, convenience store, restaurant and numerous single-family homes on almost 26 acres of land along eastern Highway 12.
Perkins said he opposed the matter because it diverts taxes away from the city’s coffers. He signaled his intent to oppose future tax waivers for new businesses because others have opened their doors in Starkville without requesting or requiring tax abatements.
Mississippi’s Open Meetings Act allows governing bodies to enter into executive session for numerous reasons: talks on a potential purchase, sale or lease of land; personnel matters; litigation; security discussions; investigative proceedings; extraordinary emergency; admissions tests for recognized professions; or other material and data except from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.
Also covered in the law are “transactions of business and discussions or negotiations regarding the location, relocation or expansion of a business or industry.”
The board typically holds at least two public hearings on TIF proposals once they are finalized with developers.
Many developers typically do not disclose their investments until they are concrete plans, due to competition and other factors.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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