Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins wants to amend the ordinance involving Starkville Board of Adjustment and Appeals appointments to allow his ward’s representative to serve a second consecutive term.
The vice mayor confirmed Tuesday he will request fellow board members next week set two public hearings in May on the ordinance adjustment.
Ward 6 SBOAA member Bill Webb’s current term expires June 30. Per the current ordinance, SBOAA members serve four-year terms and can only be reappointed to the board after a one-year absence.
The ordinance creating the advisory board was adopted 10 years ago, and Perkins, who is the only elected official from that time still in office, said the rule guiding its appointment process appears to have been written as a way to enforce term limits in a roundabout way, even though former members can rejoin the board after the expressed timeframe.
Not only will amending the rule allow for Webb’s return to the board, Perkins said, but it will ensure the board has, at all times, full membership, allowing those wishing to continue their service.
As for Webb, Perkins said the former city engineer’s wealth of knowledge and experience with city matters makes his reappointment a necessity for Starkville.
“Mr. Webb has done an exceptional job in his years as an employee of the city and has also done a very excellent job providing leadership, guidance and direction for the board. He has an enormous amount of knowledge and a great asset for the city, and it will be extremely beneficial for Mr. Webb to continue serving as a board member,” Perkins said. “It’s extremely critical to retain members, such as Mr. Webb. It would be a detriment to the city if we do not keep him. It’s unfair to think of him being unable to serve when he has an interest to continue in his capacity.”
Perkins’ request could open the door for two other SBOAA members – Ward 3’s Bobby Grimes and Ward 4’s Bonn Camp – to continue serving after their terms expire June 30.
Although he is still waiting to see Perkins’ formal proposal in writing, Ward 3 Alderman David Little said he didn’t see any negatives with changing the ordinance guiding SBOAA appointments. The first-term alderman also didn’t say if he would push for Grimes’ reappointment if Perkins’ proposal passes.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to find folks willing to serve on the various boards and committees. This may give the board a little more latitude there,” Little said. “Ultimately, if this passes, (aldermen) still make the final decision based on the applicants seeking appointment or reappointment.”
Aldermen are typically given freedom to appoint members to represent their wards on city boards, as few challenges to ward-specific appointments emerged this term.
Perkins did not say if he would attempt to nominate Webb back to the board this term or once the new board of aldermen is sworn in July 1.
Both Perkins and Little have effectively locked up their respective re-election bids, as no challengers emerged during winter’s qualification window.
Ward 4’s Jason Walker, a Democrat, faces Republican Pete Ledlow in June’s general election.
Walker did not respond to a request for comment on the issue.
Treasure Lane
Perkins also said he will call for Starkville to accept Treasure Lane as a public thoroughfare, thereby allowing graveling and grading efforts to proceed, after obtaining the necessary signatures to deed a portion of the road over to the city.
Aldermen struck a deal with county supervisors in September to proceed with road and drainage maintenance for Fannie Dale, Hendrix, Jessie and Roundhouse roads and Treasure Lane once the five private streets designated public through the deeding process.
In the deal, the county will use its labor and equipment for the projects while splitting material and labor costs with the city. In return, the city agreed to add certain county roads within five miles of Starkville to its mosquito spraying program. Supervisors agreed to also cover 50 percent of those material and overtime costs.
Aldermen accepted Hendrix, Fannie Dale and Roundhouse roads as public roads in February, and Perkins said Jesse Road only lacks two signatures until it can be presented for adoption.
The five roads were added to Starkville’s incorporated territory in the 1998 annexation.
“It’s been an enormous amount of work to get all of these roads into the city. It’s not been an easy task, but it’s definitely worthwhile. This is about providing the best services we can to the residents who live on these roads,” Perkins said. “I’m elated to be part of this process to make these services become a reality.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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