[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6137854,"mediaKeyId","5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab","parentId",5594429,"title","Board renews 4-year agreement for Southaven Fire Department to serve as clinical site for DeSoto County career-tech students","audioSeconds",61,"startMs",1222000,"endMs",1283000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab&start=1222&end=1283","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab/thumbnail_1222000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6137854/Southaven/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Board-renews-4-year-agreement-for-Southaven-Fire-Department-to-serve-as-clinical-site-for-DeSoto-County-career-tech-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137854-15453fb6c5c080d44326974f7ec90b27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=EqbJbaLFj9Vybs95y2IH2mW5duG8FU4QiOMSYMxE-hMP544LP0kWer39p6kGVmG5hDZsr24yfzI-yHSr5nGfdctZcTuLvIBPkYXE0-mIAUG-kCM0TTPYVElGsnTLKee0a8nE4N6El6gpvNKmubTmKCdp3Cz7GPoFzJWerElKfDWy22WIRaLchgMF-2xGVPjEfzzSVBojMVbEQky9adOMgvlTx5NHTbh-3JNkisGZYY4cm7YZ9ZFQds46upx7rob4wyzmgrWNupEHcPUcxUnKbfvhy-CxsfzfcgAy5DqIiLmxo3LdLgeqx08YwdZURRF~IKQm3VG0dc7xqFewK1rkSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Southaven, MS","date","2025-08-06T11:35:36Z","article","The Board of Aldermen authorized a four-year renewal of an agreement with the DeSoto County Schools Career and Technical Center West that designates Southaven Fire Department as a clinical site for students to observe and gain experience with EMTs and paramedics.

Staff said the agreement renews prior arrangements that let students \"shadow our paramedics and EMT\" and provide hands-on exposure to emergency medical careers. The agreement is a four-year renewal on the same terms as the existing arrangement, and Chief Skye (identified in the meeting as the department's chief) was authorized to sign the document.

Action: The board approved the renewal by voice vote after a motion and second were recorded; the motion carried.

Why this matters: The agreement supports vocational education and a local pipeline for emergency medical careers by giving students supervised clinical exposure within the fire department.

Next steps: Chief Skye will sign the four-year agreement and coordinate scheduling and supervision with the DeSoto County Schools Career and Technical Center West.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meeting of the Southaven, Mississippi Mayor and Board of Aldermen - August 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board authorized Chief Skye to sign a four-year renewal allowing Southaven Fire Department to serve as a clinical site for the DeSoto County Schools Career and Technical Center West so students can shadow EMTs and paramedics.","taxTitle","Southaven, DeSoto County, Mississippi","taxId",4222,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137859,"Aldermen authorize new easement with Entergy to enable Church Road utility relocation for Highway 55 work",46,826000,872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab&start=826&end=872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab/thumbnail_826000.jpg","/articles/6137859/Southaven/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Aldermen-authorize-new-easement-with-Entergy-to-enable-Church-Road-utility-relocation-for-Highway-55-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137859-fb32f8c9598c93ae6dc6ddc10151e901/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=SeNKUWWEHnPSHyCrpc-R74BnbgnE5mupWEAeMHW6QxbFBGrxMToj~QYrP0bsX3oaTaQalaoQKV8wO18sZYf9cbS00puv4UAYnGvh~mM0wJEBvoMuBv-GRzQHmxCqbd-ZWeiLaIQStTToYRxbCNsuWYPluDMt2NqI3aYynNo161uLmTbRFPiWyPjGGpYv-49KQhbij3xqsFv-piSswNi--Ns3NKuRJU9sadmOpZ8E8OVOO~04tz2F3MW5zdit6DCH1HeHPNShi~Bvpgdi~GQlB9enb0ZnEETRx22Toa0b31Ih6mJR4bXPv9QCc8YcBdgPZj83FTiKbh5xDmJZeKkqoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the Board of Aldermen to authorize the mayor to sign an easement agreement with Entergy that grants the city a new easement location and terminates the prior easement. Staff said the easement relocation is necessary to permit utility relocation for the Church Road project tied to the expansion of Highway 55.

The presenter said the agreement \"grants the new easement and then also, terminates the prior easement ... so this utilities can be relocated to the correct location.\" The board voted to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement.

Action: Alderman Hoops moved approval; Alderman Jerome seconded. The roll call vote was recorded in favor and the motion carried.

Why this matters: Utility easement relocations are a routine but essential step for roadway widening and infrastructure projects; the agreement clears a legal obstacle to move Entergy facilities for the Church Road/Highway 55 expansion.

Next steps: The mayor will sign the easement agreement and staff will coordinate the utility relocation with Entergy and the Church Road construction schedule.","The board authorized the mayor to sign an easement agreement with Entergy to grant a relocated easement and terminate the prior easement so utilities can be moved as part of the Church Road project tied to Highway 55 expansion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137864,"Board approves Drive Max commercial subdivision; planners require reorientation away from Brookhaven Drive",71,1321000,1392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab&start=1321&end=1392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab/thumbnail_1321000.jpg","/articles/6137864/Southaven/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Board-approves-Drive-Max-commercial-subdivision-planners-require-reorientation-away-from-Brookhaven-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137864-b8bbc3addc319b93d7ca42c21c3cf08f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=UlZOvw5I6lSDET7LHfEM0MRS6FEQbbpzSmdW~fs7QD0kYWfWRZ0jR-2J4mejbugmeDYiodp2I4jlSJOBEzC3kg6lw9nw~zHiLrqvHK-jLdeoZicLiyZn0zMsJovi3cS07D9t43FfrBBRs8l1ijzeF3Xv-Ta0WQvEWq0Xa5cq5J0e~p1NPr5BW~dvcXBthkKJ8XRiC52kRsPvl1dQv4~DZI7H1kEZKaLMQvj4wJpKAnQZoF64ndMmRjBz6~i2IyF7m0FrTH5nqi82VB-YGhBMfhME23~fVQ3~OgEtnSs5UFbJj~oE-QZaqI6mZwIKsXODlmVUpvIKc4Qsc5iNpWpK3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented a request to subdivide two adjacent lots on the west side of Highway 51, north of Brookhaven Drive, to create the Drive Max Commercial Subdivision. Planning staff said both lots share the same ownership and the applicant plans to consolidate the two parcels for title and financing purposes, then remove an accessory building facing Brookhaven Drive and make site improvements.

Whitney Cook of the planning department told the board the commission and staff do not consider it appropriate for the accessory shop to face Brookhaven Drive and will require the applicant to reorient that piece of the development to face Highway 51. Cook said the property is expected to participate in the city's tax incentive program and that the owner acknowledged returning to the planning commission and board for design review and orientation approval.

Board action: Alderman Hoops moved approval of item 1; Alderman Payne seconded. The board voted unanimously to approve the subdivision with the stated condition to reorient the accessory building away from Brookhaven Drive.

Why this matters: The action clears a procedural step for a commercial redevelopment on a prominent corridor and includes a site-orientation condition intended to reduce impacts on the Brookhaven Drive neighborhood.

Next steps: The property owner must complete design review and return to the planning commission and the board as required before final building permits are issued.","The Board unanimously approved the Drive Max Commercial Subdivision on Highway 51 with conditions: the accessory structure must be removed or reoriented so Brookhaven Drive is less impacted and the property owner must return for design review and tax-incentive participation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137869,"Mayor: XAI expansion valued for jobs; city will rely on MDEQ permits for environmental safeguards",121,1511000,1632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab&start=1511&end=1632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","/articles/6137869/Southaven/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Mayor-XAI-expansion-valued-for-jobs-city-will-rely-on-MDEQ-permits-for-environmental-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137869-55a3b07ba03c72156d4adbaddd6dd0be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=fzFbLWsXaOqhGZP0i8iFeXi8jZyQrAvJSP63O8Ns9Y1utyB8CQtr-ib0WqzFIQvBvfPPU5SNfy4nrkFrew9p3k3HQ-IDVxPUk9fWFL9Y4yJa7hCj~CEhM60FFHJ4mCf844RLrsWClrl7i6s1doGsjXwy7prgGWFTH5X6oIurqseUbvbKt6ciFx6gEJVaCyh~WrR7039lxfN-9Y4ZbBHWKkwv3TA5-FPrncLpTluFYjsBgoU~XNawkefHaRMYF9Fe1Nqq2V54uFS6ufywm7MX3SyJTQJ1oCTFmlyApfR4cGHyLTfp4UAacVTtgLye17u~gNukcjQnIIaDM2ztxbGOYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Ford announced that XAI has expanded operations with property purchases in the Memphis metro area and land in Southaven's industrial district, calling the development a potential economic opportunity while acknowledging public concern about environmental effects associated with natural-gas turbines.

\"We are the newest home of XAI operations,\" the mayor said, noting the company's positive comments about Southaven's environment and political climate. He said the city conducted due diligence prior to announcing the expansion and expects economic benefits for Southaven and DeSoto County.

Addressing environmental concerns, the mayor said state regulators will play the primary role. \"We have environmental agencies. MDEQ. That's their purpose to make sure that our environment is protected, so nothing would be allowed to happen in Southaven without the approval of MDEQ,\" he said, adding the city will monitor the company's promises locally as well.

Why this matters: Large industrial additions can bring jobs and tax revenue but raise questions about air emissions and community health. The mayor emphasized reliance on Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) permitting and the city's own monitoring of company commitments.

Board action: The announcement was informational; no permit, zoning change, or development agreement was on the meeting agenda. The mayor said the city investigated the project in advance and will continue oversight as projects proceed.

Public concerns and city response: The mayor acknowledged vocal opposition in the community and said he would not allow developments \"that's gonna create health problems for somebody.\" He urged residents that state and city oversight would be used to enforce environmental limits.

Next steps: The city will monitor regulatory filings and company compliance; no formal city-level approvals were taken at the meeting.","Mayor Ford announced XAI's expansion into Southaven industrial land and addressed community concerns about natural-gas-powered turbines, saying Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality oversight and company commitments will guide monitoring.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137874,"Southaven mayor: county property reappraisal will force millage cut; full neutrality unlikely",157,1716000,1873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab&start=1716&end=1873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594429-e115edaa922e974120c85906d10025ab/thumbnail_1716000.jpg","/articles/6137874/Southaven/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Southaven-mayor-county-property-reappraisal-will-force-millage-cut-full-neutrality-unlikely","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137874-94577b86629085ce3e4822550e149e5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=cLvMz8Vn0WBNzURllKmjDZ35hJoTu99JqpmS6rZONzxpFV3qEK9L933dQru5gh70OcS6fz1lVnHkNsTg~xJi-Vc0wMNMf4MbjMmGpSW2RR2KixqWP9JXKO~8pakxiVXBzTbNQjiNtD8xv~FZlDGC39CjQmet7o9S-Z3ALmBIFA8tPflrSoLyldTdRmaTy26oskKoLuAcCEIPM4gWQrNrvZtJFWpdgz2FKaIp399YsUU7sJigr7Dz5LjFZQZjZkE0wHvgeTkKvox0KSW2DkFk1NPRND37IW5yxhr-UrVBrh~SYYnq0dxgO6Hb25Pf5rmMiDu6aV~di8JP9JG0rjTiJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Ford told the Southaven Board of Aldermen that a state-directed reappraisal of real property in DeSoto County will require the county assessor to raise assessments to a minimum of 85% of market value, a change the mayor said will cause an approximate 31% increase from the county's prior 54% assessment level and require the city to consider a millage reduction.

The mayor said the reassessment applies only to real property and noted other tax bases''business personal property and motor-vehicle tag revenue''will not change under the reassessment, so a fully revenue-neutral outcome for every taxpayer is not possible. \"Properties are supposed to be assessed for their real true market value. So it has to be assessed between 85[and]100% of the value. For whatever reason, the DeSoto County has been assessing the properties at 54%.\" he said.

The mayor said he will recommend a millage reduction when the board begins formal budget work this week but cautioned against cutting the rate so far that unforeseen one-time costs or errors force the city into a budget shortfall. \"What I've learned in working in government for 12 years is when there's a drastic change of procedure, it's inevitable that there's gonna be something that someone forgot to think about,\" the mayor said. He said the city will try to \"reduce the millage as much as is safely possible with also leaving a small cushion.\"

Why this matters: A countywide reappraisal that raises assessed values increases the taxable base used to compute property taxes. Municipalities can lower their millage rate to reduce tax bills but cannot change which classes of property are revalued. The mayor said some taxpayers will see higher bills even if the city lowers its millage because certain revenue sources that offset city budgets (business personal property, automobile tag revenue) will decline under the proposal to reduce millage.

Board action and next steps: The mayor announced his intention to present budget proposals later in the week; no formal millage resolution or vote was taken at the meeting. He asked the public to understand that a fully revenue-neutral outcome for every property owner is mathematically unlikely given the mix of taxable bases.

Context and cautions: The mayor repeatedly framed the decision as balancing taxpayer relief with the legal obligation to adopt a balanced budget: \"You can't have a balanced budget without some paying more... we don't just talk ideology. We're responsible for having a balanced budget that we execute.\" He also noted city staff will present detailed budget options at the upcoming budget session.

The board did not take a formal vote on a millage rate during the meeting. The mayor said detailed proposals will be discussed at the budget hearings later in the week.","Mayor Ford said DeSoto County must raise real-property assessments to at least 85% of market value, producing a roughly 31% jump from the county's prior 54% base and forcing the city to propose a millage reduction that likely will not leave every taxpayer revenue-neutral.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board renews 4-year agreement for Southaven Fire Department to serve as clinical site for DeSoto County career-tech students

Aldermen authorize new easement with Entergy to enable Church Road utility relocation for Highway 55 work

Board approves Drive Max commercial subdivision; planners require reorientation away from Brookhaven Drive

Mayor: XAI expansion valued for jobs; city will rely on MDEQ permits for environmental safeguards

Southaven mayor: county property reappraisal will force millage cut; full neutrality unlikely