Aldermen approve $1 million sewer agreement with no local match

Starkville aldermen approved a $1 million state-funding agreement for the city's sewer and lagoon project on Oct. 20, as part of the official agenda's consented items. The mayor's office identifies the appropriation as nonmatching, meaning the city is not required to put up matching dollars.⁠[1][2][3][4][5]

Our earlier account of the proposed agreement left the city vote unconfirmed. The meeting recording resolves that question, but the records reviewed do not establish whether the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration has approved the agreement or whether the money has arrived. The memorandum takes effect only after DFA approval.⁠[1][2][3][4][5]

The spending clock starts when the city receives the money—not when aldermen vote. Under the agreement, the city commits to making every effort to spend the funds within 36 months, solely on the authorized project.⁠[5]

The money must be kept in a separate, non-interest-bearing bank account, without being mixed with other funds—even earlier funding for the same project. Notarized spending and progress reports are due within 30 days after each quarter ends, with invoices and bank statements supporting reported expenditures. Reports are required even in quarters when nothing is spent.⁠[5]