What's Up, Waveland? - October 2016

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date:  Have your say on how the state allocates $750 million in BP funds, good news on the Waveland audit and Halloween on Coleman. 

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Will millions in BP restoration funds be spent elsewhere in Mississippi? Have your say at a Town Hall meeting, October 20th.

BP Town Hall Meeting

Lt. Governor Tate Reeves will be in Diamondhead at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 20 for a Town Hall meeting at the Diamondhead City Hall, 5000 Diamondhead Circle. This meeting is intended to give Gulf Coast citizens an opportunity to give input on how $750 million of the Deepwater Horizon settlement fund should be spent.

Lt. Governor Reeves has gone on the record stating that he would like to see the majority of the funds spent in south Mississippi. Obviously, the rest of Mississippi would like to see the money spent in their communities. 

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I believe that without a big outcry from coast citizens, south Mississippi may not see a big portion of that money. Waveland has applied for funding for several projects using BP settlement money, but we are in wait-and-see mode. 
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I encourage everyone to attend this October 20th meeting. I know 11:00 a.m. is not the optimum time for a meeting, but if you are available that day, please attend. The show of numbers and voices will go a long way toward bringing the money to the coast. South Mississippi dealt (and still is dealing) with the lasting effects of the oil in our fisheries and issues from the dispersants used during the cleanup process. The idea that the BP settlement money doesn't need to be spent on the coast is preposterous, but is a reality if the coast doesn't stand to fight. 

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Waveland Audit

Leah Holland, an auditor from Wright, Ward, Hatten and Guel, PLLC presented the fiscal year 2015 audit report and gave Waveland the best financial bill of health she could, an unmodified opinion. Holland praised the City of Waveland for their fiscal conservation and fiscal responsibility.

According to the report, the city has done a good job of budgeting. Waveland had $2,983,243 in the unrestricted general fund as of the end of the fiscal year 2015, which is over four months of expenditures.

The larger sources of the city's revenues were: state and federal aid, $6,112,879; sales tax $2,305,186; property taxes, $2,013,860; franchise fees, $259,820. Sales tax collected from fiscal year 2014 to 2015 increased by 4 percent. Spending your money locally at Waveland shops and restaurants is a great financial benefit to the financial position of Waveland. 

The audit report did note a small number of flaws that Waveland needs to address. Mrs. Holland did indicate in her presentation at the meeting that she believes all of the flaws in the audit have already been addressed. 
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The taxpayers of Waveland certainly had their money well managed in 2015. This is a testament to the hard work that many do in all Waveland departments.
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Halloween On Coleman

Attention all ghosts and goblins. Waveland invites you to the annual Halloween Bash on Coleman Avenue Monday, October 31, 5:30–7:00 p.m. There will be tricks, treats, face painting and many other surprises! This is a family-friendly event that children of all ages will enjoy. 

To make this an even better event, we invite residents and businesses to set up on Coleman Avenue and hand out candy. If you are interested in setting up a booth or being a part of the event, please contact Raquel LaFontaine at Raquellafontaine@gmail.com (cell 228-493-7246) or call Waveland City Hall at 228-467-4134.