I don’t know a more straightforward and accurate way to tell you than, our city is thriving in every way!  We are enjoying tremendous success right now.  I’ve done what I told you I would do and have continued to under-promise and over-deliver for our city.  My business-minded and sound financial managerial approach, delivered with unparalleled transparency, has continued to ensure trust and serve our city well.

Fire Station #5…

Fire Hydrant Expansion in Annexed Areas…

Completion of phase 6 of 6 of a $7.4 million project to increase the size of water lines to meet Southaven’s fire hydrant standard and improve fire protection in all annexed areas is projected to be under construction along Stateline Road near the northwestern edge of our city in mid-2021.

Police Body Cameras…

For the first time in our city’s history, we have police officers actively wearing body cameras to ensure the utmost standards of professionalism and protect our officers from frivolous claims.

Police West Precinct…

This retro-fit project changed the old WIN Job Center building at Highway 51 and Dorchester Drive into an additional precinct for our Police to expand operations and add more key presence along Highway 51 and nearby residential neighborhoods.

Police Officer Recruiting & Retention…

For the first time in 4 years, we have filled all positions that have been vacant due to the challenges in recruiting and retaining quality officers.  We have also added 6 new positions in 2021 and implemented an aggressive 3-year officer expansion plan.

Crime Statistics…

AGGRESSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT

Street Resurfacing…

We continue to increase our budget allocation each year to resurface our residential streets and arterial roads.  In the spring and summer of 2020, we completed $2.5 million and added another $3 million in the fall.  During the last 4 years, we’ve allocated and completed $13,136,632 in resurfaced streets/roads, the highest ever in our city’s history.

Drainage Improvement Projects…

$500,000 was allocated each year from 2017-2021 to complete projects previously causing problems for many years.

Stateline Road Resurfacing…

This $1.7 million project to resurface Stateline Road from I-55 east to Tchulahoma and Horn Lake Road west to Highway 301 was completed in January, 2020.

Snowden Grove Pedestrian Project…

Our citizens love this $769,500 federally-funded project, completed in 2020, that added a 10-foot wide multi-use trail throughout Snowden Grove Park.

Central/Snowden Grove Parks Multi-Use Trail…

This $1,371,981.65 project had been pending for 9 years waiting on MDOT co-op funding requirements until construction began in 2020.  This 10-foot wide multi-use pedestrian trail will connect Central and Snowden Grove Parks by routing along Tchulahoma and eventually May Blvd and also having another leg from Central Parkway along Getwell to Snowden Grove Park.  Completion is projected by year-end 2021.

Main Street Pedestrian Project…

This federally-funded pedestrian project costing $1,393,727.42, which will add sidewalks from Highway 51 along Main Street to Saucier Park on Northwest Drive, began construction in 2020 with completion projected in late 2021.

May Blvd Pedestrian Bridge…

The lowest and best bid was recently awarded in the amount of $1,998,158 for this project which will safely connect two major pedestrian trails and numerous pending developments on both sides of Getwell at May Blvd while also reducing vehicular traffic congestion interacting with pedestrians.  Construction will begin in March, 2021 with completion projected in September, 2021.

Getwell South Widening Project…

This federally-funded $8.7 million project to widen Getwell Road to five lanes from Church Road south to Star Landing Road with median and pedestrian paths has been pending federal requirements since 2015 and is projected to be under construction in mid-year 2021.

Horn Lake Creek Bridge Project…

Construction began in 2020 on this $2.4 million project to repair the Stateline Road Bridge over Horn Lake Creek that received financial assistance from the State’s Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund in the amount of $1,989,500 and Desoto County splitting the difference with the City.  Completion is projected in the third quarter of 2021.

Pepperchase Road Extension…

An example of cooperation at its best will make this state, county, and city co-op-funded $4.1 million project begin construction in late 2021 to extend this road from the Landers Center south to Highway 51 just north of Star Landing Road.  It will help tremendously with traffic congestion mitigation on Church Road.

Automated Meter Reader Water System…

The City has been studying this conversion from manual water meter reads to an automated system for over a decade.  This $7,855,035 automated system, currently being installed, increases efficiency significantly as it is projected to save $219,180 and add $543,528 in revenue from improved read accuracy totaling an estimated recurring annual benefit to the City of $762,708.

Greenprint 2040…

REVITALIZATION & BEAUTIFICATION

City Hall Renovation…

Construction was completed in 2020 for this $1.9 million project which beautifully renovated one of the oldest commercial buildings in Southaven, and in doing so, improved the safety of many City employees, the City’s marketing image, and added to the revitalization attractiveness of our original business district.

Monument Signs for City Entrances and High-Profile Intersections…

This project to add beautiful, brick-based signs with landscape lighting on I-55 and other intersections to beautify our city and improve our economic attractiveness began in 2019 with the completion of the I-55/Main and I-55/Star Landing signs.  The Goodman/Malone sign was completed in 2020 with Stateline/Getwell and Church/Malone scheduled to be completed in 2021.

Highway 51 Intersection Modernization Project…

This $607,037 project removed the old span-wire traffic signals in 2019 and replaced them with new mast arms with signals that have modern traffic communication and pedestrian capabilities.

Greenbrook Parkway Median Landscaping Project…

The final replanting and completion of this $20,576 project to remove poorly-grown crape myrtle trees and add new landscaping to improve the look of one of our original residential neighborhood entrances near Stateline Road was completed in 2020.

Wildflower Project in I-55 Median…

The City began utilization of the state beautification program named, “Wildflower Trails of Mississippi” in 2018 and has continued to cultivate and replant these beautiful flowers in the I-55 median between Goodman and Church Roads.

Right-of-Way Maintenance Improvement Program…

In previous years, the City has expanded Public Works personnel to bring formerly contracted jobs back to our own operation to improve the quality and overall cost efficiency of keeping our street/road right-of-ways maintained better.  This maintenance includes general grass/weed cutting, litter pickup, curb dressing, and landscape manicuring in designated high-profile areas.  We continue to strive for the highest standard as we use all avenues to combat the litter challenge, specifically, and improve the look of our streets/roads, in general.

West End Business District Incentive Progress…

Buildings continue to be renovated in this district defined in 2015 as businesses recognize the value of this incentive package to build new or renovate existing buildings.  The boundaries of this district encompass Main Street/Stateline Road between Highway 51 and Airways and Highway 51 between Main Street and Dorchester Drive.  These incentives include a 7-year tax freeze for ad valorem taxes for the increase in taxable value as well as a waiver of license, permit, and utility fees.

Vintage Sign Ordinance…

For the purpose of incentivizing businesses in our original business district to remove faded and dilapidated signs/sign panels installed prior to and noncompliant with the current sign ordinance, the City passed this new ordinance for signs built prior to 1990.  This will allow and encourage businesses to improve the look of their signs by replacing panels and making other specified changes without the cost of replacing the entire signs.

Community Pride Awards & Adopt-a-Spot Beautification Program…

In 2018, we initiated the “Mayor’s Community Pride Team” which is composed of these two programs to award private property owners for their exceptional efforts to beautify their own properties and volunteers who beautify common areas of residential subdivisions, both ultimately improving property values and the economic attractiveness of our city,

PARKS & RECREATION ENHANCEMENT & EXPANSION

Greenbrook Indoor Softball Facility…

Construction was completed in 2020 for this 7,800 square-foot facility located near the main entrance to Greenbrook Park that houses four hitting/pitching tunnels with removable nets for a large multi-purpose training area, offices, concessions, bathrooms, and general assembly area.

Springfest Pavement Project…

No more mud at Springfest?  This $1,324,162 paving and landscaping project, completed in 2020, will eliminate the nuisance of mud and poor drainage, as well as beautify this area and serve a dual purpose for additional concert parking.  The Springfest logo stamped into concrete in the main walkway adds the exclamation point to the pride our citizens have in this special, longtime tradition.

Soccer Expansion at Snowden Grove Park…

The plan continues to diversify opportunities for our youth at Snowden Grove Park and better utilize all City facilities/properties.  This $5 million project will add 7 new soccer fields including bathroom, concession, and office facilities to the property just north of the bowling alley at Pine Tar Alley/Snowden Lane.  These new fields will complement the 5 existing fields on Stateline Road to bring more participation and use for all.  Construction began in early 2020 and completion is projected by March, 2021.  This expansion will also create significant tourism revenues for our city with the capability of hosting soccer tournaments, which also prompted the hiring of the City’s first Director of Soccer in 2020.

Artificial Turf at Snowden Grove & Greenbrook Parks…

After extensively studying the cost/benefit ratio of replacing the infield and foul line natural grass areas of the 25 baseball and softball fields at these two parks with artificial turf, the City began construction on this $6 million project in August, 2020.  The cost savings with field maintenance and opportunity-cost savings from eliminated rain-outs are projected to total a minimum of $500K every year.  Completion is slated before the first games scheduled in March, 2021.

Field of Dreams Playground…

In 2019, this $448,400 playground was constructed adjacent to the Field of Dreams baseball field near the south entrance to Snowden Grove Park to bring enjoyment for all of our kids, including adaptations for special needs.

Tennis Pro Shop…

This $770,000 project, completed in 2018, renovated the old metal building constructed in the 1970s into a beautiful facility housing equipment, dressing rooms, concessions, director’s office, and covered seating to complement the 8-court expansion previously completed in 2017.

Volleyball at the Arena…

The City’s first-ever volleyball operation began in 2018 at the Arena with 7 new courts that has had tremendous participation with competitive tournaments, recreational league, and development training.  In 2019, $500,000 was allocated the level the floor and change this venue from a western sports two-leveled floor design to a more versatile one that accommodates multi-purpose events in addition to volleyball.

Park Maintenance Shop…

In 2019, the City sold the 10.83 acres of property just north of the Fire and Police facilities on May Boulevard between Getwell Road and Snowden Lane which included the site where our park maintenance shop was located.  This property is in a key location for prospective development for the new owner, thus requiring us to relocate our park maintenance shop.  The new, $2.3 million facility, completed in 2020, is located just west of the Snowden Grove Tennis Complex and has the capacity to house the increased needs of our current and future maintenance operation brought about by the enhancement and expansion of our parks program.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Google…

In the summer of 2020, Google announced they had chosen Southaven as the location of their first-ever North American Operations Center.  This is obviously an incredible industrial development bringing global notoriety to our city.  This is a $26 million capital investment by Google in the 60,000 square- foot facility currently under construction on Airways Boulevard just north of Tanger Outlets.  This operation will create 100 new jobs when it opens in the third quarter of 2021 with plans to expand to 350.

Medline…

This is another “home run” development by another titan in the global industrial market.  Medline announced and started construction on a massive, 1.2 million square-foot facility in 2019 bringing a $46 million capital investment to our city and creating 450 new jobs.  Construction was completed in 2020 on this facility located just west of I-55 and just north of Star Landing Road.  Medline will use this facility to distribute medical supplies throughout the southeastern part of the United States.

Spectra Laboratories (Fresenius Medical Care Subsidiary)…

Construction was completed in 2020 for this $81 million capital investment in our city that houses 211,000 square feet of industrial space used for medical laboratory operations.  Spectra brought 304 new coveted, high-paying professional jobs to our city with plans to expand to 600.

General Industrial Statistics…

In addition to the monstrous developments by Google, Medline, and Spectra Labs, the City continues to be in demand for industrial development, in general.  In total, 2020 brought $186 million in industrial capital investments, 2.5 million new square footage in facility space, and approximately 1,050 new jobs.

Silo Square…

Tremendous progress was made in 2020 on this $200 million, 228-acre mixed-use development built with a town-square and pedestrian-friendly design.  Both the first commercial and residential occupancies occurred here in 2020 as did creation of the City’s first-ever “leisure and recreation” district.  This development has potential to be a regional tourism destination point and will pay huge dividends to our city economically for many years to come.

Metropolitan Business District…

This new business district was created and defined in 2018 in the Church Road/I-55 area to incentivize and bring quality commercial development to this high-profile, high-valued property in our city.  Google and Tanger Outlets are located within this district and prospects have been recruited in the hotel, professional office, restaurant, and retail segments for future development.

Retail, Service, & Other Business…

Hotel development was among new developments halted by the virus pandemic, but the City still saw 363 new businesses open in 2020 (up from 251 in 2019) creating 866 new jobs in this sector.  Additionally, from 2017-2019, the City saw over 700 new small businesses open creating over 2,500 new jobs.

New Building Permits…

The housing market is definitely back!  Residential building permits issued in 2020 totaled 474, up from 358 in 2019 and the highest since 2007.  The City also issued 16 commercial permits for new construction.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

No Property Tax Millage Increases…

Southaven has not had a property tax millage increase since 2006.  Our growing sales and tourism tax revenue from our economic success, along with sound financial management, has allowed us to hold this line tightly.  Southaven continues to be the largest municipality in Desoto County, but only the 4^th highest taxing entity of the 7 total.

Growing Sales Tax Revenue…

$14,753,171 sales tax revenue in 2020 is the second highest in the City’s history ($15,148,749 in 2019) in spite of virus pandemic challenges and shows an excellent growth trend up from $12,499,170 in 2013.  Internet sales tax generated roughly $1.6 million in additional revenue for the City in Fiscal Year 2021.

Reserve Fund Policy…

The City continues to uphold the financial reserve policy of maintaining a minimum of 12% of General Fund in Unassigned Fund Balance.  Unassigned Fund Balance is the net cash available after all financial encumbrances.  This policy is not only important for financial stability, but also is a key factor in maintaining the City’s excellent bond rating.  Currently, this balance minimum is approximately $6.2 million.  For comparison, the City’s balance was $2.4 million in 2013.

Even with the tremendous amount of improvements to our city and taking advantage of the financial leverage afforded by low interest rates, the City’s total outstanding debt has been decreased by $16,791,159 from Fiscal Year 2013 to Fiscal Year 2020.

Government Finance Officers Association Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting (5th consecutive year!)…

On December 31, 2020, the City received this prestigious award for the 5^th consecutive time! This award is given only to about 5% of approximately 89,000 cities/counties in the United States and Canada for going beyond typical accounting procedures to meet the highest standards of governmental transparency and financial disclosure.

Unprecedented Property Values…

Real estate values are higher than ever before in our city’s history.  This is obviously a multi-factorial success contingent upon several national economic factors, but nonetheless, still an indicator of the current high demand to live and do business in our city.