McComb officials will ask state legislators to pass local and private tax legislation that would let the city provide a cost of living allowance to municipal retirees after a unanimous vote by the city board Tuesday.
The allowance could cost the city around $28,000 per year, to be funded by a millage increase no greater than 0.50 mills, but any tax increase is expected to be lower.
Mayor Zach Patterson, though, said the move, which covers an area left out of the retirement system for 31 retired city workers, is important to show appreciation for their efforts.
“Gentlemen, we just can’t hesitate on this,” Patterson told selectmen. “Regardless of what the costs may be, within reason of course, it’s a statement we have to make.”
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The city’s other major expense Tuesday was a bid of $1,111,121 from WMP Construction Inc. of Columbus for a force main for the city’s west wastewater treatment plant.
The project is in preparation for the city’s eventual new wastewater treatment plant, Public Works Director Ronnie Lindsey said.
The plant is expected to cost around $30 million and must be in operation by 2010 to comply with a federal court order.
Lindsey said the city currently uses a west and an east plant, each with aerated lagoons, for the treatment of wastewater. The west plant will still be in use after the new facility is built but will feed into the east plant.
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The city also began preparation Tuesday for the Iron Horse Festival, approving $20,000 in funding — $15,000 less than last year — to the McComb Main Street Association from the tourism department to hire entertainment.
Patterson said that was the amount the McComb Main Street Association had told him would be needed.
“I would like us to wholly and totally endorse the Main Street Association,” Patterson said. “We’re gonna back the Iron Horse Festival like we’ve never backed it before.”
Patterson on Tuesday repeated his concerns over the handling of last year’s Iron Horse Festival funds. His issues pertain to the management of bank accounts in which money was taken in by the city from last year’s festival.
Patterson said, however, that those concerns were not related to his support for this year’s festival.
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The mayor had two other announcements Tuesday, acknowledging an EEOC complaint had been filed against the city but saying he would provide details after he had a chance to inform selectmen.
“We’re not at any risk or anything like that,” he said.
He also announced Jan. 15, C.C. Bryant’s birthday, as C.C. Bryant Day in the city of McComb in recognition of Bryant’s work as a civil rights leader in the area. Bryant died at his home Sunday at the age of 90.
In other action, the board:
• Authorized the sale of a two-hose gasoline and diesel fuel island to French Camp Academy for $250.
• Approved payment of $300 to Simmons Security for monitoring systems at the McComb Railroad Museum and Community Relations and Tourism Department.
• Agreed to advertise for bids for a project to update road signs.
• Transferred $40,000 from recreation program supplies to machinery and equipment and the approved use of that money to purchase a utility mower with bunker and field rake via advertisement for bids.
• Authorized payment of $10,444 to Neel-Schaffer Inc. for design and inspection on the water treatment plant.
• Approved an agreement for annual engineering services with Neel-Schaffer Inc.
• Authorized a contract for sewer service for Honeysuckle Woods Subdivision to be provided by the Town of Summit.
• Approved a grant application with the state Department of Environmental Quality for a proposed Household Hazardous Waste Day event in May.
• Received, accepted and agreed with a Pike County ambulance service ordinance naming Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center as lead authority for ambulance service in the city.
