JACKSON EYES NEW POSITIONS, ZONE CLASSIFICATION ADDITIONS

JACKSON -- The city of Jackson may have a new public works director before the end of the year. During its Monday meeting, Mayor Paul Sander appointed a committee that will prepare a job description and salary schedule for a public works director and an assistant city administrator.

The board also received a proposal from the planning and zoning commission to add new classifications to the zoning ordinance. Aldermen also authorized the mayor to sign a lease with Boatman's Bank of Jackson for use of the new city municipal building until a new bank facility is completed.

The six-member committee charged with preparing the job descriptions for public works director and assistant city administrator are to present their report to the board of aldermen within 45 days. Members include: Sander, Ward 3 Alderman Glenn Oldham, Ward 1 Alderman Dave Hitt, City Administrator Carl Talley, acting City Engineer Rich Bowen, and City Attorney David Beeson.

Currently, Jackson does not have a public works director or full-time city engineer. Bowen, who is with the consulting engineering firm of Bowen and Lawson of Jackson, has been serving as acting city engineer and handling some of the duties of a public works director since the retirement of City Engineer Jack Weith. Sander noted Bowen had asked some time ago to be relieved of his duties as acting engineer in order to devote more attention to his growing business.

The assistant city administrator position will take some of the workload off of Talley, Sander said.

In other business, the board received a proposed plan from the planning and zoning commission that would add several new zoning classifications to the zoning ordinance. The mayor emphasized the new plan will not rezone anyone's property.

"This plan will help the city plan for the future development of the city," he noted. "We're adding new classifications in the new plan. One of them will regulate lot size in new subdivisions. I feel the new plan will be a big help to developers. They may have some concerns at first, but after they see the details of the plan, they will see that it is to their advantage."

Sander said a public hearing on the proposed zoning plan will be held by the P&Z on July 7.

The board approved enacting legislation that will permit the sale of package liquor on Sunday. The governor signed a bill this week that gives communities the option to allow the sale of package liquor on Sunday.

The board authorized the mayor to sign a one-year lease with Boatman's Bank of Jackson, with four three-month lease options, for space in the new city municipal building the city purchased earlier this year at the corner of Court and West Main. The bank will remain in the building until its new facility is completed in about one year, Sander said.