Board of Aldermen Work Session, Friday, August 14, 2026

The City of Starkville Board of Aldermen held a work session on August 14, 2026, which included a detailed presentation from the Oktibbeha County Humane Society regarding their animal shelter operations and a request for $36,000 in funding to support a spay and neuter voucher program aimed at reducing animal overpopulation. The Humane Society emphasized the cost-effectiveness of preventative spay/neuter services compared to sheltering and euthanasia costs, proposing vouchers usable at local veterinary clinics. The board discussed budget considerations extensively, including potential millage rate adjustments, departmental staffing needs, and operational costs. They acknowledged the challenge of balancing tax rates with maintaining essential services such as police and fire, which constitute a significant portion of the budget. Additionally, the board reviewed community development items including an encroachment agreement and a phased preliminary plan for the Sterling Ridge subdivision. Several policy and operational updates were also discussed, such as code enforcement activities and fire station consolidations. No formal votes on procurement contracts were recorded, but the funding request for the spay/neuter program and budget deliberations indicate upcoming procurement and budget allocation decisions.