Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Recap
Robert Chapman
By Robert Chapman, Alderman-at-Large
Clinton’s Board of Aldermen meeting started with the board recognizing Lindsay Pardue for being selected as the Alyce Clark 16-WAPT Teacher of the Year. The meeting continued with a brief presentation from Dr. Andy Schoggin, superintendent of the Clinton Public School District, and Finanicial Director Libby Callegan, who spoke on the management of the budget in service to the community’s student population.
Dr. Schoggin pointed out that the school district has consistently been the 23rd lowest district in terms of administrative cost while remaining one of the top five school districts in the state, making specific note of the relationship between low administrative costs and high performance.
For the eleventh straight year, the district required no increase to the local contribution for their annual budget.
The Board of Aldermen continued the meeting by unanimously passing a resolution opposing the looming school choice programs, the first resolution of its kind in the state.
Mayor Will Purdie opened a public hearing within the scheduled meeting to hear public comment pertaining to the proposed City budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026. No public comment was made, so the Board moved on in business, adopting a resolution to fix Ad Valorem tax levy at 41.49 mills. This approval keeps municipal taxes at the current rate for the ensuing fiscal year.
The Rising Springs project is entering Phase II, and the Board was presented with a request to name two new streets within the project, Rising Spring Avenue and Choctaw Way.
The Board authorized a contract with Century Construction, continuing the agreement established for Phase I into Phase II, and accepted a bid from Probity Contracting Group for the Spring Square Package that will consist of the focal square of Rising Springs, such as the amphitheater, the spring feature with a fountain, landscaping, lighting, sidewalks and parking.
The Board also accepted a bid from Bulldog Construction for concrete installation at Rising Springs. This contract is responsible for the construction of sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
The Board approved the advertisements for a sewer relocation project at McLemore Drive and South Capitol Street, followed by an approval of for an addition to a building in the city’s industrial complex.
The Board continued the meeting by officially rezoning a portion of the Rising Springs project, moving it from Special Use to Commercial C-2, in order to match the surrounding properties.
The Board approved a dimensional variance and renewed a resolution on an unkempt property, adding discussion about requirements for the City to eventually take over ownership of the property in the future.
Finally, Board approved the hiring of a police officer before moving into executive session, where actions were taken to terminate two employees.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Space will be provided in each issue of The Clinton Courier to the Board of Aldermen for a recap of each meeting. Aldermen are asked to volunteer to provide this recap for the Courier.
