Poplar Bluff needs additional revenue in the form of an approved use tax to support the continued growth of the city, Mayor Steve Davis said Monday, as he acknowledged the prosperity already seen in recent years.
Davis was re-elected Monday to serve another year as mayor for the city of Poplar Bluff. The mayor and mayor pro-tem are selected each April by the council members.
“Other communities have passed this and are benefiting greatly,” Davis said Monday of the use tax, which has been defeated in previous votes, some of which were narrow defeats. “I think many citizens believe we can start planning for a new city hall in the foreseeable future if we can get this done as well.”
Davis commented that Poplar Bluff has prospered in recent years with planned upgrades underway on Highway 67 south and a future Interstate 57 designation, an expansion to the industrial park also underway for a new manufacturer and more improvements on the way at the municipal airport.
Downtown Poplar Bluff is also seeing progress, with new tenants moving in and the planned demolition of the shuttered downtown parking garage, he said.
“Hopefully, circumstances will also allow the demolition of the old city hall and property (on Second Street) by the end of this summer and we can begin the process for an anticipated new city hall at that location,” Davis said. “Designs are in the works that might include an amphitheater and green space.”
The use tax has failed to pass by slim margins on at least two occasions, Davis said, and that has been disappointing.
“This is something the community really needs to do to keep moving forward,” he said.
Davis thanked the council and the citizens for the progress already seen by the city.
Re-elected council members Lisa Parson and Barbara Ann Horton also spoke and were sworn in for new three-year terms.
“Three years ago, when I said I would do this, I didn’t have any idea what I was getting into ... I fell in love with it,” said Parson, who defeated two challengers in the April 5 election for the Ward 1 seat.
Horton thanked the council and her Ward 3 constituents for their support. She was successful against one opposing candidate in the April 5 election.
Council members also voted Shane Cornman in as mayor pro-tem for another year.
In other business, the council:
• Moved to the May 2 voting session a request to vacate an undeveloped portion of North 12th Street, between Hickory and Mulberry streets. The request was made by neighboring property owner Jerry Johnson of Poplar Bluff, said city planner James Sisk. It includes a steep hill, Sisk said, and Johnson would like to use the area as part of his yard and driveway. The city would retain a utility easement, said Sisk, who recommended approving the request.
• Moved to the May 2 voting session a request by the Poplar Bluff Park Department to annex into the city approximately 80 acres of property purchased in 2016 and 2017 at and near McLane Park. The park property, including some undeveloped acreage, was not previously annexed into the city, according to officials.
• Moved to the May 2 voting session a request by the Poplar Bluff Park Department to annex into the city approximately 45 acres of property recently purchased by the park department for future park development. It is located south of Highway 67 and north of Poplar Bluff Municipal Golf Course.