Clarksdale is seeking a police dog to help with drug seizure and tracking and could have the animal and officer in place by the end of the year.
The Clarksdale Board of Mayor and Commissioners voted to seek a grant of $50,000 and couple that with an estimated $58,000 of their own money to purchase the dog, equipment and pay for a policeman who will handle and care for the dog.
“We are looking at a German shepherd as our number one choice but there are other breeds,” said Police Chief Sandra Williams. “This will not be an attack dog, but rather a drug-sniffing dog that can be called on to search for drugs and also have a search-and-rescue capability.”
The city is seeking its grant from the Walton Foundation and that money can be used to buy a dog, the special carrying equipment needed for a vehicle, housing and caring for the animal and the other special equipment used by the dog and officer. The grant will not pay for salaries and Williams said that will be the city’s portion.
“We sent out a memo about a month ago and have had four officer express an interest,” said Williams. “Those officers and any other applicants will be vetted and we’ll pick from there.”
Williams said the Clarksdale Police Department routinely calls on the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit and their officer and dog have been instrumental in several high profile drug arrests and also search and rescue operations.
The hire will bring the Clarksdale Police Department to 42 officers.
In other business:
• The board canvassed the recent $5 million bond election and acknowledged that 66-percent of those voting approved the referendum.
Espy said bond funds obtained through the referendum can only be spent on the project listed repeatedly by the city.
Espy also said the city is looking to combine the city’s $5 million with grants and hopes the scope of work will expand to $30 million.
• The board discussed at length but took no action on a policy of paying only for two judges and in the event of an absent judge, that judge’s pay be forfeited to the Justice Court Judge who sat in for the missing judge.
“I have asked we send a letter to our judges explaining this new policy,” said Commissioner Bo Plunk. “State law only allows two judges and we are being asked to pay for a third judge out of taxpayer dollars.”
The city currently pays $500 a day for a substitute judge.
Commissioner Ken Murphy said if you don’t work, you shouldn’t get paid.
Mayor Chuck Espy asked the city attorney and commissioners get with judges and work out a policy the coincided with state law and bring it back before the board next month.
• The board heard from Pam Plunk who was concerned with the abuse of handicapped parking spaces by apparently health people and the Clarksdale police department’s policy of enforcing it.
• The board took up the following health and public safety concerns with abandoned or unkempt property:
- 523 Paul Edwards – Sharon Stacker.
- 514 Florida Street – Orlando Cosby.
- 2104 Seventh Street – Geneva Wells.
• The city is seeking a $100,000 grant from the Walton Family Foundation to address urban blight.
The city has launched a plan to begin demolishing and cleaning up property that has been abandoned or has been deemed a public health and safety issue.
Espy said he wanted to see the city cleaning up to six properties a month.
• Mike Slaughter presented details of the city’s proposed comprehensive plan and zoning in the annexed are of Clarksdale.
• The board approved payment to the Incidental Expense Account in the amount of $4,965.76 for July.
• The board paid July Accounts Payable in the amount of $221,534.31 of which $120,562.34 was General Fund.
• The city granted permission for the City Clerk to attend the IIMC Regional Meeting in San Antonio, Dec. 5-7.
• The city granted permission for the City Clerk to attend a records management workshop in Desoto County on Sept. 7.
• The city granted permission for Lisa Fisher to attend the Keep America Beautiful meeting in Greenville Aug. 30.
• The city granted permission for the Mayor and Commissioners to attend the Small Town Conference in Tupelo on Oct. 17-18.
• The board acknowledged receipt of the school board resolution requesting a tax levy for the 2019-20 school year.
•The board approved a maintenance agreement between the city and Taylor Power System for generators at the Fire Station and City Hall.
• The city authorized a pay increase for poll workers to $125 per day and an additional $20 for Returning and Receiving Officers. The board then authorized the city clerk to pay poll workers and election commissioners for the recent bond election.
• The board authorized Byrd Family Medical Clinic to administer flu shots to city employees.
• The board denied a request to waive fees for COI to host the 2019 Annual Volunteer Recognition Program.
It was pointed out the city can’t waive fees but they can reduce them. The fee was set at $230 with a security deposit of $250.
• The board approved a request from Sholanda Green to use the Sunflower River Stage on Nov. 16 for a birthday party.
• The city entered an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield for employee medical insurance at a savings of $28,080 for the 2019-20 year.
• The city approved a change order for the traffic signal upgrades with Lewis Electric.
• The city authorized a budget hearing for Aug. 26 at City Hall.
• The board paid the following miscellaneous claims: Reyes Flores, $364; Charles Christopher, $260; Calvin Henderson $360; Sayle Oil Company, $80.50; Griot Arts, $10,900; Griot Arts, $10,900; GO Bonds 2019 $53,888.96; PPM Consultants, $7,021; Clarksdale Public Utilities, $113,200.80; Chuck Espy, $1,052; M.A. Crank, $21,840.01; Neel-Schaffer, $116,845.52; Stephen Brandon $962.50.
• The city will seek bids to purchase two knuckle-boom trucks to help pick up rubbish.
• The board acknowledged the complaint regarding Malik Brinston vs. City of Clarksdale and authorized the city attorney to forward it to the city’s insurance carrier.
• The board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters but gave no description of who it would be talking about.
The board came out of executive session and was granting a leave of absence, was moving three employees off new hire probation to regular employment status and was hiring Nicorius Black as a police patrolman and Christopher Wilson as a truck driver.
The board recessed until Aug. 22.
