Keeping taxes low a priority for Johnson
For Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson, elected in 2005 and seeking a third four-year term, the greatest challenge at City Hall is a welcome one — keeping pace with the city’s success in drawing residential and economic growth.
“The major challenge we face every day in Hernando is providing the needed services and infrastructure while keeping the second-lowest tax rate (Walls is the lowest) in DeSoto County,” said the Republican.
He’s facing a challenge from Kenny Laughter, a retired lawman and fellow Republican, in the May 7 primary municipal elections.
“While we haven’t necessarily asked for growth, it occurs every day because people want to live in a place that is safe, healthy, provides a great education, and a good value for your tax dollar,” said Johnson, 46.
A graduate of Southaven High School who later studied business administration at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Johnson is a Navy veteran of the Submarine Service. He served six years, mostly in the northern Pacific during the closing period of the Cold War in a tense nuclear chess game with the Soviets.
Back home in DeSoto County, he owned and operated a successful Rainbow International Restoration and Cleaning fran- chise for 21 years. A resident in the Southside Historic District of Hernando in a home built in 1927, he was serving a 2001- 05 term as alderman when neighbors and friends persuaded him to run for mayor.
In the reality of office, Johnson said, he’s learned to cope with fiscal limits while building networks to try to help the city leap beyond budget borders.
“Over the years, I’ve nurtured our friendships with federal, state and local leaders and many of these relationships are starting to pay off for the city,” he said. “We recently received $610,000 in grant money through the Mississippi Department of Transportation for a linear park on McIngvale, $400,000 through the state Department of Environmental Quality for assessments of “brownfields” sites that can be reclaimed, $240,000 in grants to repave Commerce Street, and we’re are applying for funds through the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization to overlay the next portion of Commerce Street.
“However, we cannot balance a budget on grant funds,” the mayor said. “We strive hard every day to find new efficiencies in all of our departments.”
To operate on a small budget, “we have to make many hard decisions” on the blueprint that is authorized and approved by the seven-member Board of Aldermen. The mayor presides at meetings and only votes in case of a tie.