A pair of Senatobia ordinance proposals will have to wait at least another month before any action is taken.
The Board of Aldermen agreed at its recessed meeting Tuesday, Aug. 19, to table discussion of a law requiring property owners to bag grass clippings before placing them on city rights-of-way. Aldermen did the same with an ordinance to fine anyone caught providing false information on residency documents to Senatobia Municipal School District.
Earlier in August, Senatobia Director of Operations Stephen Hodges told aldermen piles of unbagged clippings are washing from streets and clogging storm drains during downpours resulting in flooding in some areas. Blockages also contribute to runoff issues potentially resulting in regulatory fines, he added.
Hodges explained the one-armed grapple truck is damaging asphalt, curbs and yards when it scoops up clippings and the driver – in some cases – must stop traffic, exit the grapple truck and rake up piles of grass. He suggested a requirement for citizens to use clear bags for clippings since colored ones tend to retain heat and can possibly combust inside the truck.
Hodges said the current method of clipping removal using a vacuum truck is not a sustainable long-term solution.
Aldermen Demetrius Garrett, who operates a local lawn service business, said he has received numerous phone calls regarding the ordinance proposal.
“I believe we need something in place because clippings have become an issue,” he explained. “I think we are trying to do too much too soon by telling people what specific kind of bag to use. We need to ease our way into this.”
A draft ordinance has been introduced for discussion, and no decisions have been made according to a statement from the City of Senatobia.
“Any changes will involve thorough review and public input through the city’s elected representativescommitted to a transparent and responsible process,” Hodges said.
Aldermen agreed to table the issue until Tuesday, Sept. 16 to review additional documents and ponder specifics before deciding the next move.
City leaders also took the same action with a proposed ordinance to fine anyone providing false information on Senatobia School District residency documents.
Attorney Kenneth Stockton said a state statute is currently in place resulting in a felony charge for offenders who lie to a government agency which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Stockton explained DeSoto County schools modified their ordinance to classify the offense as a misdemeanor and includes a $500 fine and/or six months in jail.
Aldermen agreed to conduct more research and consider additional options before deciding what will be included in the new mandate.
They also approved the following:
• Minutes from the special mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Aug. 4.
• Minutes from the regular mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Aug. 5.
• Minutes from the special mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting on Aug. 13.
• Docket of claims numbers 39709-39851 for $1,435,144.24.
• Court Clerk Tameka Herron to attend the 2025 MS Municipal Court Clerks Conference in Oxford Sept. 16-19 and pay travel expenses.
• Fire Chief Ethan Foresman, Fire & Life Safety Educator/ Public Information Officer Chantay Rhone and Captain Duane Ross to attend the Mid-Winter Fire Chiefs Conference in Natchez Nov. 30-Dec. 3 and pay registration and travel expenses.
• Terminate employment of Senatobia-Tate County Animal Shelter employee for violating city policy effective immediately.
• Adopt an interchange agreement with Mississippi Department of Transportation for the West Main Street and U.S. Highway 51 roundabout landscape and grass maintenance.
• Denied application of ABB Inc. for ad valorem tax exemption following Tate County’s denial motion.
