WEST POINT — Repairs to West Point”s Main Street bridge are a step closer after the city Board of Selectmen allowed City Administrator Randy Jones to begin advertising bids for work on the partially collapsed structure.
Jones says advertisements will be posted for bridge caps and drilling for support pilings. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will likely be the sole source for the caps.
A $334,000 bid for work on another ailing bridge on Dunlap Road was accepted from Prairie Construction.
West Point”s budget situation also remains stable, according to City Accountant Lisa Klutts, who gave the board a finance update Tuesday.
Klutts reported sales tax collections were down $11,000 for the past month, but the city remains within budget for the year.
She says sales tax revenue over the next three months will be major indicator for how West Point finishes the year. But the board gave the city some breathing room by voting to refinance $3 million in general obligation bonds received in 1999.
The refinanced rate is expected to save the city $155,000 over the next 10 years and will make an impact on the next principle and interest payment in July.
The city also filled several vacant city positions Tuesday.
Shameka Jones was hired as receiving clerk at the Water and Light Department warehouse, filling a vacancy left by current Ward 3 Selectman Charles Collins. Theresa Moore was hired as office manager at the electric department, taking over half the duties of retired office manager and accountant Jan Wray.
The board hired Autumn Burns during its Feb. 9 meeting to serve as accountant at Water and Light. Shane Lamkin is serving as interim city purchasing and receiving clerk following the retirement of former clerk Bill Houghton.
In other business the board:
- Tabled a discussion with West Point Municipal Court officials about electronic monitoring devices placed on individuals who owe court fines. Court officials were not available because court was in session.
- Tabled voting to contract with an online debt collection service.
- Heard a request for full-time employment in July from three temporary employees in the Public Works Department.
- Voted to partner with Prairie Opportunity to hire employees whose salaries will be paid by Prairie Opportunity.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
