HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - A group that has been studying incorporation for nearly the past year may be moving up its timetable to consider creating a new city in central Lamar County.
The Hattiesburg American reports (https://hatne.ws/1FyzIf7) a decision by the Hattiesburg City Council to annex a gas station/convenience store in another area of Lamar County sparked conversation of potential further future moves and resulted in the revelation that a group was looking at incorporating the community of Bellevue.
County Supervisor Phillip Carlisle said the potential city would take in 12 to 16 square miles with up to 10,000 residents. He said he supports the group’s effort.
“It is my responsibility as their elected county supervisor to stand by this effort as long as their goal remains to preserve and enhance the quality of life for the citizens within the defined incorporation limits of the future City of Bellevue, Mississippi,” he said.
It could be the first incorporation effort since Oak Grove started the process in the face of the city’s expansion into Lamar County in the late 1980s.
Hattiesburg City Council voted to take in a 2-acre parcel containing a gas station/convenience store.
Southern Oil Co. President Mitchell W. Morris had asked in letters to the council and Mayor Johnny DuPree that they consider including the business into the city limits.”
“This was an annexation that was actually a voluntary annexation,” DuPree said. “This is one where they actually approached us about it.”
During the annexation discussion, Councilman Kim Bradley mentioned Morris owned a similar business off U.S. Highway 98 in the Bellevue area that should be considered for annexation as well.
“There’s a lot of businesses, like I inquired about his business farther out 98, to Bellevue, and he would like to have services provided to him there,” Bradley said. “I think it’s time that we, as a city, expand our boundaries, and I think that’s something that you will see very soon.”
DuPree said while the city has no official stance on annexation, it must look to expanding potential revenue streams.
“As we see a pattern of development, we have to be always looking toward the future, as commercial development moves west or east, or even south, for that matter,” DuPree said. “As it moves, and we have the opportunity to capture those sales dollars, we have to look favorably on that.”
___
Information from: The Hattiesburg American, https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.