City of Batesville

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, noting the meeting was held in a different location. A representative from the Mississippi Wolfpack Arena Football Team presented a proposal requesting the use of the Batesville Civic Center as their official home venue for the 2026 season, including specific regular season dates and requesting reserved dates for potential playoff games. The proposal also included requests for reasonable pre-game access, a waiver or reduction of rental fees, and permission to collect sales at the door in lieu of standard rental costs, suggesting a revenue-sharing model based on ticket sales. Key benefits discussed for the civic center and community included increased foot traffic, revenue generation through local vendors and job creation on game days, empowering youth through sports, building community pride and identity, and providing affordable family entertainment. The board ultimately decided to take the proposal under advisement to discuss it in detail with the director of the civic center.

The meeting commenced with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Procedures for public address were reviewed, referencing orders from March 1, 2022, and March 23, 2023. The agenda was adopted after a motion. Minutes for the February 3 adjourned meeting, February 3 regular meeting, and February 9 adjourned meeting were approved. A consent agenda, pay request agenda, and human resources items were approved. A public hearing continuation regarding Leonard Booth's request for a conditional use permit for a food truck at 310 Highway 6 West was discussed, confirming the planning commission's recommendation and noting compliance requirements for the vendor permit. Discussions also included an update on debris removal efforts by Looks Great Services, confirming they work seven days a week, address large debris like tree trunks, and operate within FEMA guidelines by focusing on public right-of-way threats. It was noted that FEMA reimbursements for debris projects (Categories A through G) appeared to be approved. A future action item directed the code office to verify that all vendors conducting business possess state sales tax IDs to ensure compliance.

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer and a brief devotional focused on perseverance through life's trials and focusing on a higher spiritual goal. Agenda items included the addition of two proposals and an emergency repair request, along with a request for sponsorship funding from the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, which is a charity-based organization assisting law enforcement, veterans, and military members. Additionally, administrative items included requests for timeline extensions for ARC projects MS68 and MS2699 to formalize change orders and close out projects. Discussions also covered updating policies and procedures for the County Water Infrastructure Program to align with new 2024 state procurement guidelines, specifically raising the formal procurement threshold from $50,000 to $75,000. Finally, approval was sought for reimbursement for pay applications one through four for the wastewater treatment project.

The meeting addressed the declaration of obsolete police department equipment, specifically ten Ruger firearms, as surplus property to be traded in to Mississippi Police Supply. Furthermore, the board reviewed quotes for purchasing new rifles and unanimously approved the lowest quote from Mississippi Police Supply and Sales, LLC, accepting the trade-in value for the surplus firearms. Information regarding the gas industry was presented by a representative from UMC Solutions. The natural gas rate structure was modified for specific customers (Lockers, Thermos, Lehman Roberts, and Yancey Brothers), setting the rate as Purchases Gas Adjustment (PGA) plus $2.09 per Mcf, effective immediately.

The Board Meeting agenda included several items for consideration. The Consent Agenda featured pay requests for services, including geotechnical engineering for the WWTP Lab and spraying services for road medians, as well as lease purchase installments. Departmental reports covered adopting an amendment to the contractors licensing ordinance, setting clean-up hearings, approving camera programming and configuration services, discussing a Little Church resolution, establishing a cash drawer, and addressing proposed water and sewer rate increases. The Civic Center Director requested specifications for an AC controller replacement, generator repair, and additional RV plugs. The Public Works Director sought permission to accept specifications and advertise for bids for the lease of three backhoes, addressed easement use, requested cancellation of the Cintas agreement, and sought approval for multiple boring permits for AT&T and CSpire utility work. Additionally, the director requested approval for water services outside city limits and quotes to repair a gear box and upgrade a farm tap to a regulator station. Potential Executive Session topics included a Community Development Delinquent Loan, Personnel matters, and a Land Lease.