Residents of the city of Clarksdale will vote on whether or not to have an urban renewal structure to finance bonds up to $5 million to correct flooding issues in an Aug. 6 special election.
More than half the voters must approve to finance the bond in the election.
A resolution declaring the election was passed during Monday’s Board of Mayor and Commissioners meeting.
“We’re encouraging all citizens of Clarksdale to vote on this issue whether you’re against it or for it, but this is their time to be heard in the city of Clarksdale,” Mayor Chuck Espy said.
A hearing was held to discuss the bond issue before the resolution was passed at the meeting.
Tray Hairston from Butler Snow law firm said some of the areas Neel-Schaffer engineers identified that need to be addressed were the Second Street bridge, Sasse Street and Pearson Street.
Hairston said the city planning commission reviewed and approved the plan at a May 7 meeting when the Cypress Creek area was added to the plan. He added the plan has been in the city clerk’s office since April 22.
“The bonds, in connection with the project, would be not to exceed $5 million,” he said. “I think from the last meeting mayor, you explained, the various grants and state funding that the city was preparing to apply for, which would mitigate some of the cost in connection with the city.”
In an attempt to illustrate how the taxpayer would be impacted, he said a millage, in connection with the bond would cost 5 mills a month for a $50,000 home. That translates to $2 per month. He also said it costs $4 per month for a $100,000 home and $8 per month for a $200,000 home.
Ward 3 commissioner Willie Turner said there were issues on Anderson Boulevard, Russwin, Vincent and Spruce streets.
“These areas get hit hard every time it rains,” Turner said. “I don’t want to leave those guys out either.
“My cry is that all the citizens will be paying taxes for this area to be fixed. If everybody going to be paying to stop the flooding, we need to do troubled areas as well.”
Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk agreed issues on Anderson needed to be addressed. He mentioned there had been issues with the ditch.
“When we get a heavy two or three inches of rain, it shuts Anderson down at that intersection,” Plunk said.
Ward 2 Commissioner Ken Murphey said the Greenbough, Cypress Creek and Oak Knoll subdivisions need to be addressed. He specifically said there are issues near Nancy Vincent’s home in the Oak Knoll subdivision.
“We are very aware and we plan on being very proactive in solving the problems,” Murphey said.
If the bond passes, Espy said some of the entities that could work on flooding issues include Neel-Schaffer engineers, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Mississippi Levee Board.
“This will bring together all federal and state entities with local government to make sure that we’re being stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars,” Espy said.
