McComb officials are on the path to changing municipal election dates in order to reduce voter confusion and strain on pollworkers.
City officials noted at Tuesday’s board meeting that there were no objections after the city published a legal notice on proposed changes to the city charter.
The board hopes to move the dates of the general election so they coincide with elections in most other municipalities.
Currently, the next McComb municipal election is set for 2014 — a year after most other cities’ elections, which are set for June 2013.
The next step sends the request to change the dates to Gov. Phil Bryant. If he approves it, McComb’s next election will be in June 2013, and the city board’s term would be shortened by six months.
Selectmen also:
• Voted 5-0, with Selectman Tommy McKenzie absent, to amend the budget to buy two police cars for $60,000.
• Honored firefighters Warren Weekly and Robert Whittington for their 25 years of service, fire Lt. Louie Whisenant for his 30 years, street division employee Kevin Washington for 10 years and maintenance foreman James Jones for 10 years.
• Approved an $80,000 appropriation to repairs at water well No. 5.
• Named Public Works Director Philip Russell the city’s agent for federal programs associated with the city’s clean-up from Hurricane Gustav.
• Adopted the Tax Increment Financing plan as prepared by Gouras & Associates of Ridgeland. The TIF plan is a financial tool that encourages commercial developers. Selectmen had earlier tabled the vote on the plan, even though it has been in place since ’07.
• Approved a motion to allow for statements of qualifications from consultants and grant writers to work on a $400,000 Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield grant at the old Illinois Central industrial property downtown.
• Rescinded a lease between the city and the McComb School District regarding the use of the Higgins Middle School field after school officials said the district said it no longer needed the city-owned field.
• OK’d a $50,000 payment for the construction of Field 3 at the McComb Sports Park.
• Approved the payment of $700 to Environmental Services LLC for an asbestos inspection at Fire Station No. 1.
• Appointed McKenzie to represent McComb on the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Development panel.
• Reappointed Donald Dick to Term E of the Housing Authority board.
• Voted 3-2 to appoint Brandon Spears to Term A of the Licensing Board of Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors. Selectmen Melvin Joe Johnson, Tammy Witherspoon and Andranette Jordan voted in favor, while Selectmen Ted Tullos and Michael Cameron opposed, as they supported Alan Blue.
• Reappointed Eddie Thompson to Term E of the Licensing Board of Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors.
