The Webster Progress-Times

Eupora aldermen learned last week that the city's application for state funds to upgrade its sewer system has been approved by the Mississippi Development Authority.

Gov. Haley Barbour, in a letter dated Aug. 28, informed Mayor Tommy Lott that the city's application for Hardship Public Facilities funds through the Community Development Block Grant program has been approved by the MDA.

The $375.000 grant will be used for improvements including repair or replacement of existing sewer mains and manholes between the lift station at Hodges Drive and Mt. Vernon Road. The city will match the 50-50 grant with a previously approved USDA Rural Development bond that had been frozen pending approval of the CDBG application.

City Clerk Lesa Hardin reported news of the funding to the Board of Aldermen at its Sept. 4 meeting.

Also on Sept. 4, no citizen input was received during a public hearing before the meeting. The hearing was required for the closure of a Community Development Block Grant used to rehabilitate the city-owned Hawkeye Glove building.

The project involved installation of a heating and cooling system. Planner George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District said the project is complete and paid for. During the meeting that followed, the board voted to close out the project and transfer $700 left over from the grant into the general fund.

Rotary Club President Bert Parish appeared before the board concerning the Christmas Parade, which the club sponsors. Aldermen voted last December to advertise the city with the club in the amount of $250 to help it offset parade costs.

However, the city had previously been providing $500 a year and Parish asked the board to increase its funding share. He said the club incurred around $2,000 in parade expenses last year, which included the cost of renting a sound system, a live radio remote, meals for bands and judges, and cash prizes for float winners.

Parish agreed to the board's request to return in November and provide current information about parade expenses. This year's parade will be Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.

Also meeting with aldermen was Cynthia Wilson of the Eupora Historic Preservation Commission member. She said the state Department of Archives and History had reviewed the proposed local historic preservation ordinance adopted by the board last spring with only one comment to add. The order would designate a local historic district.

The board voted to set a public hearing on the ordinance for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11, after which it will consider final adoption unless substantial changes are made. A copy of the proposed ordinance and a map of the proposed district are available for review at City Hall.

In her role as executive director of the Webster County Development Council, Wilson said she appreciated all the city has done for the council but asked the board to reinstate funding to the previous level of $40,000 annually. She said this would enable her to do a better job of promoting the county and all of its municipalities. The city has been budgeting $15,000 a year.

Wilson pointed out that the WCDC Advisory Board froze the organization's reserves in 2004 but that it has had to dip into those funds a few times since. She also asked the mayor and aldermen to consider joining the Development Council as individual members in addition to what the city is providing.

In other business, the board voted to designate an unmarked police car to replace one that has been taken off the inventory. Aldermen also voted to have a public hearing on final adoption of an updated floodplain ordinance in conjunction with a budget hearing set for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 25. A meeting will follow at 6 p.m.

Following a public hearing Monday at which no public input was received, the board had a recessed meeting during which it voted to accept a rezoning petition from Henry Ross as presented. A 2.6-acre parcel he owns on Highway 9 South will be changed from A-1, or Agricultural Usage District, to C-2, or Highway Commercial District.

Lott was unable to attend Monday's meeting and Vice Mayor Henry Flowers presided in his absence.