Mansfield council approves millage rollback, self-funds $727,000 for sewer plant and OKs local contracts

Mansfield — The City of Mansfield Council on March 10 voted to roll back the property tax millage rate from 2.476 to 2.164 and approved a series of local actions including self-funding $727,000 for sewer-plant work and awarding a contract for tree removal at 92 Pine.

Mayor Blair H. Northen III presided over the meeting, which began at 7:00 p.m. After a routine agenda amendment, the council took up a slate of local business items. Mayor Northen presented the proposed millage rollback; Mayor Pro Tem Fred Purvis moved to adopt the new rate and Councilman Scott Colyn seconded. The minutes record the motion passed with "No discussion. All in favor." The rollback reduces the previously published rate of 2.476 to 2.164.

The council next addressed sewer-treatment funding. Mayor Northen presented the funding need and Mayor Pro Tem Purvis moved that the city "self-fund the balance needed" of $727,000 rather than take a loan; Councilman Brandon Hays seconded and the motion passed, with the minutes recording unanimous approval.

Other actions approved at the meeting included: - Awarding tree-removal and stump-grinding work at 92 Pine to Turf and Tree Wizards, low bid $2,250. Minutes state the motion was approved but also include a separate line reading "3-1 with Councilman Hays not voting for conflict of interest," an inconsistency in the record the minutes do not clarify. - Purchasing a replacement pump-station motor from Smith and Loveless at a listed price of $6,387. - Approving a 3x5 sign placement for Mansfield Methodist Church at Oak and 3rd. - Renewing the occupational license for Roosters; an application for a new license for Main Street Spice was tabled. - Combining a special election for Post 1 with the general election for Posts 3, 4 and 5; the council set the combined election date for Nov. 4, 2025.

Mayor Northen also updated the council on public-safety camera installations: four cameras have been placed at the Hwy 11/213 intersection, with plans for additional cameras at Swell Road/Hwy 213 and Beaver Park. Mansfield Marketplace operator Ricky Bruce tied his cameras into Newton County's system.

The minutes record a brief public comment about a limb over a home at 3749 Hwy 213 and the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the minutes): - Millage rollback to 2.164 — motion moved by Fred Purvis, seconded by Scott Colyn; outcome: approved (minutes: "No discussion. All in favor"). - Self-fund sewer balance ($727,000) — motion moved by Fred Purvis, seconded by Brandon Hays; outcome: approved (minutes: "No discussion. All in favor"). - Award tree removal (Turf and Tree Wizards, $2,250) — motion moved by Scott Colyn, seconded by Fred Purvis; outcome: approved; minutes also include conflicting note "3-1 with Councilman Hays not voting for conflict of interest." The minutes do not list individual votes except where noted. - Pump motor purchase ($6,387) — moved by Fred Purvis, seconded by Scott Colyn; outcome: approved. - Sign request (Mansfield Methodist Church) — moved by Brandon Hays, seconded by Scott Colyn; outcome: approved. - Roosters occupational license renewal — moved by Brandon Hays, seconded by Scott Colyn; outcome: approved. - Combine elections for Nov. 4, 2025 — moved by Fred Purvis, seconded by Scott Colyn; outcome: approved.

What to watch next: The council’s decision to self-fund the sewer balance removes near-term debt but shifts budgetary responsibility to city reserves; the minutes do not include a detailed funding plan or whether reserves or specific fund lines will be used. The record also contains minor inconsistencies (see tree-removal vote and inconsistent spellings) that the council may clarify in subsequent minutes or in the official contract records.

(Reporting based only on the March 10, 2025 meeting minutes provided by the city of Mansfield.)