Southaven board approves tax exemption, park advertising rates, LED RFQ, $2M street budget boost and other measures

The Southaven Board of Aldermen on Feb. 18 approved a package of routine and project-specific measures, including a Freeport warehouse tax exemption for WSC Solutions LLC, new advertising rates for the Snowden Grove Park video board, authorization to seek qualifications for LED field lighting and a $2 million budget amendment for streets.

The actions, taken during a regularly scheduled meeting at Southaven City Hall, also included approval of a final deductive change order of $18,000 for the Autumn Woods drainage project, ratification of an emergency IT battery purchase, an extension of a full-depth reclamation contract, authorization to solicit bids for street striping, acceptance of a $1,000 donation from Tanger Outlets and routine dockets (personnel, utilities leak adjustments and claims).

Why it matters: The budget amendment increases the city’s street budget by $2,000,000 after additional proceeds from the Mississippi Department of Revenue (MDOR). The RFQ authorization starts the procurement process for LED field lighting at Snowden Grove Park under Mississippi procurement law. The combination of contract actions and bid solicitations affects near-term street and public-works projects.

The board approved a resolution granting a Freeport warehouse tax exemption to WSC Solutions LLC at 710 Venture Drive. City Attorney Nick Manley said the exemption request covers three related licenses and that the application had been recommended by the economic council and approved by the city-county supervisors. The motion to authorize the mayor to sign the resolution was moved by Alderman Flores and seconded by Alderman Wheeler and carried on…