Bank of Holly Springs

Some annex plans axed

The City of Holly Springs’ annexation study has been downsized.

The annexation of property at Kirkwood is still under consideration but could be taken out, because to include it within the city limits would require a fire station out Highway 4. Also Area III, located in the industrial park area and in the general area of the airport, was taken out completely. Left is Area I and parts of Area II.

A new fire station could be located in the Eddie Lee Smith Drive area near the existing water tank.

Reasons for downsizing included the requirement for a third fire station on the south side of the city if Kirkwood was annexed.

Increased staffing for fire and police departments will have to take place immediately once the new areas are incorporated, Mayor Kelvin Buck said.

“Fire protection – you have to get it, but you have a few years to do it,” Buck said. “We already had a plan for a second fire station.”

Police and fire are the biggest annexation costs, he said.

The pared-down annexation plan would allow for some growth. Trying to annex after development takes place would cause a big fight like in Olive Branch right now, the mayor said.

“What about water, gas and sewer?” asked alderman Christy Owens. “You have to be prepared.”

“Police, fire and street maintenance is all the city is obligated to do,” Buck said. “We have five years (to get it done).”

Water, gas and sewer has almost been extended to Kingdom Hall on Highway 178 West.

“It would be easy to do gravity sewer to Marshall Steakhouse area,” Buck said. “Is anybody on the board opposed to annexation?”

Owens responded, “I’ve been honest the whole time. Our initial numbers did not seem to be enough to bring in the potential revenue to do it and what we would be obligated to do. I am concerned that we are able to keep up with what we have. And there is potential flooding from runoff.”

Buck said part of growth is to be able to bring in more people. The city has seen a population decrease and will not be up to 10,000 when annexation takes place, he said.

“But, if we do not increase the city limits, someone else gets the growth,” he said.

Owens said it is important to be able to guide the direction that growth takes. The ordinances are a roadmap to how it is going to look, she said.

“I have never been opposed to annexation,” she said. “It’s just time to voice concerns – how much equipment we buy.”

“We have time for that, but you have to be ready when it comes,” Buck said. “We have new industry like Amazon and anticipate housing growth.”

Alderman Mark Miller said the city has control of the way properties are developed before someone comes and does it. The city does not want substandard housing, he said.

“We want to maintain what we have and to make sure we don’t provide worse service to people already here,” Miller said.

Buck added that it is necessary to maintain a Level 5 fire rating.

“The station near the industrial park will help attract growth there, too,” Miller added.

‘I’m with you guys,” Buck said. “We will have to have a public hearing. I don’t want to bite off more than we can chew, but I do not want (the city) to be left out. No one is against annexation in principal.”

Buck asked how long it takes to open a business and make a profit.

Liddy said it takes up to three years.

“I just want it to be a win-win for the citizens and a win for Holly Springs,” Owens said.

“Doing nothing is a loselose,” Buck said.

“The main thing is cutting (the annexation) back,” said Liddy. “No, extra (third) fire station.”

“And not so many extra employees,” Buck said.

Rust College President David Beckley warned, “We all realize it will cost to do this, but has anyone looked at the initial costs? The added police protection?”

Beckley was concerned whether the increased revenue from property taxes would offset the cost of extending services in the short term.

Buck said the numbers will be ready in February.

“There will be some additional expenses the first year,” he said.

Leisure district

The board briefly discussed the creation of a Leisure District. That would include open container public consumption of alcohol during certain hours and in designated areas.

Beckley said he wants to make sure the Leisure District is located south of Rust Avenue.

The board said the northern boundary of the Leisure District could be West Valley Avenue, which would include any activities conducted in Spring Hollow Park.

HSUD concerns

Holly Springs Utility Department General Manager Bill Stone reported on the GE Smart Solution performance status.

Aldermen were concerned that the city was not getting its money’s worth under the contract.

Stone said he completed a conference call and staff has been working with GE about the performance of the contract and getting the network back on track.

A number of field devices have not been working properly, he said, but most have been brought back online over the last months.

Some meters are not sending in readings even though they are taking readings, he said.

GE has sold off its meters section and HSUD has had problems getting meters in, he said.

There may be some programming issues to be ironed out and some meters may be out of range on the south end.

“We need more repeaters up,” Stone said, “particularly in the Laws Hill and Wyatt Crossing area.”

HSUD and GE will be monitoring daily readings to reevaluate baseline service levels.

“Gateways are located on two water towers, one in Holly Springs and one in Ashland,” Stone said. “The internet connection water tower on Eddie Lee Smith Drive is cellular and needs to be upgraded. Known as the “backhaul,” that network connection is HSUD’s responsibility.”

Stone said the utility is exploring options to improve that site.

On gas expansion, Stone said HSUD is looking at plans to build gas service back to Holly Springs from the Mt. Pleasant area using Byhalia’s new pipeline tap located in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park. But cast-iron replacement is first priority now, he said.

Buck asked when PrePay would become available.

Stone said he hopes PrePay will be available to start in a limited, slow rollout in about three months.

 

Holly Springs South Reporter

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Holly Springs, MS 38635
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