Petition stalls city’s funding of paving plan

The City of Clarendon’s intention to fund a comprehensive paving plan was stalled Monday when a petition was delivered to City Hall.

The petition, bearing the valid signatures of 122 citizens and delivered by Don Smith, effectively halts the issuance of $2.5 million in certificates of obligation until an election can be held on the matter.

Mayor Pro Tem Mark White said he thinks the streets must be a priority despite the petition.

“The number one complaint I get is about the streets, and I’m right there with them,” White said. “I still feel like the plan is necessary. We’re using a professional engineer to design this plan, we intended to have paving professionals do the work, and we’re looking to the future with respect to maintenance.”

According to Vince Viaille with First Southwest Company, a financial advisor for the city, an election must be held during the state’s General Election, which this year will be on September 13.

City officials must approve an order calling the election no later than 40 days before the election. A special meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held next Monday at 7 p.m. for the purpose of accepting the petition and issuing an order to hold an election.

At stake is a plan that would pave and curb an estimated 152 blocks in an effort to improve streets throughout town and get storm water runoff under control.

At press time, city officials were expected to finalize which streets would be included in the plan during Tuesday night’s regular city meeting. When the plan is adopted, The Clarendon Enterprise will publish the entire master plan.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen decided to issue certificates of obligation during a June 25 called meeting. The board voted 4-1 to seek a maximum of $2.5 million.

Alderman Michael Tibbets said at the time that he wanted a lower figure, specifically $2 million, and voted against the measure. His name is one of those appearing on the petition this week.

Viaille said the petition does not keep the city from making plans. City officials can still work on the map of proposed paving, figure the plan’s cost, and determine what level of fees and taxes would need to be set to pay for it.

“This will decide it,” White said of the possibility of an election. “I would like for people to know the facts so we can proceed to improve our town. Then I would encourage every voter to get out and express their view so we know how everyone feels.”

There are 1,237 registered voters in the city. The number of signatures on the petition represents less than 10 percent of that number, but more than the five percent needed to force an election.