Citizens need to take notice that the city voted to allow delinquent fines as well as water and sewer bills to be filed as a lien against state income tax.
Following the recommendation of the Mississippi Municipal League, MML, the board passed a resolution that would allow them to turn over delinquent fees as a lien against individuals on their state income tax. This comes because sometimes residents just skip out owing garbage bills, water bills and also old traffic violations. This amounts to a large amount the city has had to write off in the past. However, they will be attempting to go back and collect on fees as long ago as seven years.
The mayor brought to the board issues on transient vendors for discussion. He said they are in direct competition with local brick and mortar businesses that pay taxes in the community. He specifically cited tent sales.
This is when vendors like Christmas tree vendors come in and set up these big tents when there are local nurseries that sell Christmas trees. He also mentioned fireworks tents that don’t pay anything other than a permit fee. There was also mention of one vendor coming in with a load of furniture and selling it from a U-Haul truck.
There was discussion about food trucks coming in and selling product and the daily license is $250. Berry said that businesses like McDonalds pay a large amount in property taxes and it is unfair to businesses who have made the investment of locating a facility and then have some come in with a mobile business.
The city has designated that Saturday, Oct. 30 would be time for Trick of Treat in the neighbors in Magee. Trick or treating will start just before dusk and end by nine p.m.
The city filled the vacancy in the water department as clerk with Libby Hegwood Shivers.
The city will be sponsoring a Veteran’s Day program on November 11 at the Magee Community Center at 11 a.m. The Magee Fire Department along with Phillip Magee will be hosting the event. A meal will be provided compliments of the Magee Fire Department. Anyone wishing to make donations to the event in honor of Simpson County Veterans may contact Phillip Magee.
A special recognition was made at the board meeting for Brennan McNair and his landing a position with Kansas City Royals, fresh out of high school where he was the Valedictorian. He will be presented a plaque along with a key to the city for his accomplishments. McNair was joined by family members for the event.
The board has raised the entry level wage for the city to $11 per hour. This comes on the heels of the pandemic and the shortage of people available to work. Current employees who are still earning $10 per hour will be raised to $11 per hour.
The Cemetery Committee is being chaired by Sue Honea is considering seeking a 501 C-3 designation so they may seek tax deductible donations. Honea reports the committee appointments have been made and they are operating in full swing mode.
Because of the reduction in vandalism and unsavory activities at the city park. the city put cameras up and this has reduced the problems. They are going to place cameras as well as street lights in the Marvin Jackson Park in the Goodwater Community.
Mayor Berry cited continual problems with street light being out in the city and not being repair or replaced by Entergy. Berry said in his neighborhood that had been out of service and reported for two months. Alderman Lane Steele mentioned one church in his ward that they have been trying to get service from for nine months. Berry said that Southern Pine will normally respond within 48 hours.
In other business the board agreed to sell property adjacent to the Magee Airport. It has been surveyed and the city will now seek an appraisal to determine a price. The property must be sold at fair market value.
It was reported that a local restaurant has been dumping grease into the sewer system. The city is going to research an ordinance to prevent this because grease disposal it the reason the existing city lagoon is requiring so much work. It was announced that Pizza Hut along with Checkers will be building on the former Western Sizzlin property on Highway 49.
There is an on-going discussion about loud music and noise at night in town. The standard is noise should cease by 10 p.m. If it extends past that residents should contact the police department with thier complaints. If music is coming from a vehicle and is loud enough to be heard it is considered to be too loud. The board have expressed their intent to the police department regarding enforcement of loud noise and the rights of other citizens in the community.
