The city of Decatur, like much of the state, is starting to reopen public facilities.
The city’s board of alderman voted to reopen city hall starting on Monday but with some safety precautions in effect.
Mayor David Marshall said the city would need to provide face masks for city personnel as well as make some available for the public entering city hall.
“I think we have to have them available,” Marshall said. “If they choose not to wear one, that’s their decision. If they are comfortable with that decision, I’m comfortable with it.”
Marshall had suggested that the city extend its state of emergency for 30 more days and then re-evaluate. But the board eventually voted to reopen city hall.
“There is really no right or wrong answer to reopening,” Alderman Mark Buntyn said. “I just don’t want us to get complacent behind the close doors. We need to remember who pays our salaries and that’s the people of this town.”
City clerk Brenda Harper also reported that the city’s finances were in good shape, despite the shutdown of some businesses. Alderman Dr. Phil Sutphin said reports he had read said tax revenue should be okay with more people buying groceries at stores like Griff’s Big G and Dollar General.
“We could do better but we could also do a lot worse than where we are at,” Buntyn said of the city’s finances.
In other news
• The board debated for some time about reinstating cutoffs for water service. The board, at the direction of the Public Service Commission, had previously voted to not cut off water services while Mississippi was in a state of emergency. But that directive expired last week. But the board voted to extend the cutoff deadline and wave late fees until the end of the month of May. After June 3, the city will begin cutoffs again, unless another directive comes from the Public Service Commission.
“Just because the governor didn’t allow cutoffs, back payments are going to be due or their water will be cut off in June,” Marshall said. “I want to give them enough warning where they won’t be surprised come June 3. I’m trying my best to not put anybody in a bind.”
• The board set June 2 for a city-wide special election. The election is required by Mississippi Power to choose them as the city’s power provider. The election will be held in conjunction with Newton and Union as well. If approved, the city continues to receive 3 percent of revenues from Mississippi Power. Marshall said at least 11 people have to vote in the election for it to be valid. City Hall will be the city’s only voting place.
• The city is moving forward with its city-wide yard sale, set for Saturday, May 30, which will be a part of the Highway 15 yard sale that will run from Thursday, May 28 until Sunday, May 31. The board voted to barricade off the courthouse on the Saturday.
• Fire chief Raymond Overstreet informed the board that the city’s new fire truck is currently in production and should be completed by mid July. He also told the alderman that generator had been installed in the fire station and was operational.
