Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Southaven public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
19 issues with medium priority
Leisure and Recreation District Expansion at Top of the Sipp
The city's nine-hole golf course is now the 'Greenbrook Nine' with a new monument sign, better course conditions, and record play — $26 for 18.
Silo Square senior living campus
The developer of Silo Square North can now build a senior living campus — possibly with assisted living, independent living, and golf-cart-style amenities — instead of some of the planned cottage homes, because demand for cottages is softening while senior living demand grows. It also adds open space and lowers density.
Data Center Approval
Southaven just approved a fifth SpaceXAI data center, which could mean more local jobs and tax revenue—but also more pressure on power and infrastructure. The big question is whether the economic upside outweighs the strain on city services and utility customers.
Citizen Agenda Rules Formalization
The city wants to codify how the citizen agenda works: sign up by noon Friday, three minutes each, 15 minutes total, address the board as a whole. It was held for a month so aldermen can send suggestions.
Four-Year Parks Enhancement Plan Renewal
Greenbrook Park and Snowdon Grove Park are getting LED lights — better visibility for night games and lower energy and maintenance bills. Done by September 1.
Police Fleet Renewal — 16 Dodge Durangos
The city is buying a $413,270 Lenco BearCat for the police SWAT team as a sole-source purchase. It's a big public-safety spend but comes without competitive bidding because Lenco is the only qualifying maker.
Property Maintenance Code Enforcement
The old Checkers building — a 50-year-old modular structure — is being condemned after officials deemed repair costs exceed removal. The city says it hopes the owner will tear it down voluntarily; an interested buyer exists for the site.
Towing facility conditions at State Line/Airways
The long-running towing facility got its subdivision and design approvals — but only after the board forced brick/stone construction, decorative fencing, a 12-vehicle cap and heavy landscaping instead of a prefab building on gravel.
Emergency $275,000 server replacement
The city's main computer server is due for replacement, and AI-driven demand is pushing prices up roughly $25,000 a month — so the board rushed a $275,000 emergency purchase.
150-foot cell tower on Airways Boulevard
A new monopole is coming to Airways Blvd. north of Rasco Road, screened with landscaping and wrought iron instead of barbed wire fencing.
Relocating east-side fuel pumps for $750,000
The city has to vacate its old fuel pump site and will spend $750,000 building new pumps off Freeman Lane near the park maintenance shop.
Church Road utility relocation for I-55 expansion
The final bill for relocating utilities ahead of the state's I-55 expansion came in $127,719.56 cheaper than expected.
New Fire Chief Trey Bledsoe
Chief Scallions retires June 30 after 34 years with Southaven and 36 in fire service.
Millbranch Roundabout project
A new roundabout at Mill Branch and Town and Country is moving forward with up to $103,000 in engineering work, funded by a $750,000 state grant. The mayor says it will improve traffic and deter fleeing suspects heading to Memphis.
May Boulevard Hotel Property Development Revival
The board amended its 2019 deal with Kaplan Management to restart deadlines for the long-stalled hotel project near the entertainment district, including a $295,000 land-extension payment.
Five-Lot Commercial Subdivision Near Silo Square
DeSoto District, LLC got approval for a five-lot shopping-district-style development on Getwell Road north of Nail Road, extending the Silo Square concept southward.
Landscaping contract costs
The board balked at paying roughly $30,000 a year to maintain the Hummingbird Garden and tabled a $7,250/month Premier Lawn and Turf amendment for medians and right-of-ways, directing staff to get exact scope and cost details and look at doing some work in-house.
Fire Station 3 addition
The Board awarded a $288,150 contract to Murphy and Sons for the fire station bed hall addition — a step toward improving fire service facilities on the city's south side.
Generator project rebid
The ice storm knocked out City Hall's generator, and the mayor says replacement plus temporary rental will cost about $250,000 — no budget amendment needed, just transfers from other line items.