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Olive Branch board tables decision on Mississippi Main Street membership after cost, benefit questions
Summary
The Board of Aldermen removed a proposed agreement with Mississippi Main Street from the consent agenda and voted to return the item for more information on costs, benefits and staffing.
The Board of Aldermen of Olive Branch on an unspecified February 2025 evening voted to remove a proposed agreement with Mississippi Main Street from the consent agenda and table the item for a future meeting so staff can provide more detail about costs and program benefits.
The board’s discussion centered on the membership cost schedule and what the city would receive in return. “Paragraph 9 talks about financial commitment of the cities. 10,000 the first year, 9000 the second year, 8000 the third, and 2,650 every year thereafter,” Mayor Adams said during the meeting packet review. Alderman Aldwin Gill Earhart asked for clarification about the organization’s goals, outcomes and what Olive Branch would receive for its payments, saying he had seen inconsistent participation over the last 12 years and was unsure of the city’s return on investment.
Planning and administration staff said some grant programs are available only to Mississippi Main Street–designated cities and that the designation can support projects such as mural or façade artwork. A staff member said officials would pull the agenda item and return with a clearer breakdown of costs and a list of grants and other benefits tied to membership. Alderman Earhart asked specifically whether the city would have an on-staff director; staff said they would provide that information at the next meeting.
The board’s motion to approve the consent agenda excluding item 8 (the Mississippi Main Street agreement) passed. The agenda item will be returned at a future meeting with a detailed cost schedule and the list of grant opportunities available to designated cities.
The removal and tabling occurred during the consent-agenda portion of the meeting; the board did not take a final vote on joining Mississippi Main Street that night.
Asked about local coordination, Alderman Earhart noted that staff member Kim Terrell has been doing training and “will be doing some of the leadership with the Main Street,” a point other board members said could be helpful as they evaluate participation.
