City looks to make concrete plan for infrastructure needs
As infrastructure emergencies such as broken water pipes more frequently become a topic of discussion, the Starkville Board of Aldermen are looking to create a plan to address the needs throughout the city.
"I am tired of us doing nothing but being reactive," Mayor Lynn Spruill said.
The topic of discussion arose during the Aldermen's work session last week, when Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk gave a break down of the city's budget and allocation of funds.
Spruill said she has been in discussion with City Engineer Terry Kemp about what the city's opportunities of addressing these issues are, which led to the possibility of sending crews in areas where the worst leaks are in the city.
"That apparently is a reasonable way to do it," Spruill said. "Every time you repair a leak, you put pressure on another section of the line and it leaks again."
One example Spruill provided was in Pleasant Acres, where there have been multiple issues with infrastructure needs. She said the goal would be to fix everything in the area and move to the next spot.
The designated areas would be where the city responds to on a regular basis.
"That obviously is something that I think would be very beneficial to us as a community long term," Spruill said.
Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver said it is obvious this is not just city issue, but an issue across the nation and within the state.
"For first time in nine years, residents are saying they're tired of it, what's it going to take?" Carver said.
The only disagreement Carver said he had, was how the board would go about picking the specific areas and neighborhoods in need of repair. He said there would need to be a way of selecting and ranking them on a needs basis.
Carver also brought up the potential annexation and how this could affect how the city addressed the infrastructure needs. He asked if this could be a potential issue of allocating funds moving forward.
Spruill responded saying there are many revenue generators that would be brought within the city limits if they were to annex. She said the particular areas would be apartment complexes like Helix Apartments, The Retreat, 21 Apartments and other businesses right outside town.
"The intent is to not create further financial hardship for the city just for population," Spruill said. "The intent is to have that offset-
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