Ridgeland ends state of emergency

RIDGELAND — Aldermen declared an end to the COVID-19 state of emergency as in person meetings resumed Tuesday night for the first time in three months.

The original emergency declaration was made on March 14.

Mayor Gene F. McGee said that he felt the instructions and orders form the governor's office were sufficient to cover things moving forward.

"We are working very hard to protect our city and not cut any of our services," McGee said.

McGee's executive order offering temporary relief of certain ordinance and zoning ordinance related restrictions issued on March 18 remains in effect though as officials are moving to codify some of the changes that have been made during the pandemic that look to be permanent into the city's ordinances.

The biggest decision made by the board involved transferring over $800,000 from various departments into the city's general fund.

City Clerk Paula Tierce noted that the money, $811,920.32 in total, was not to be spent and that the cuts from various departments did not result in personnel layoffs.

McGee said they wanted to ensure the city "stayed within its means." He noted that the city has taken a hit in sales tax due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

"We made some cutbacks," McGee said. "We don't want to wind up in a situation where we can't cover a decrease in sales tax. We want to be wise with the money we have."



The city of Ridgeland experienced a sharp drop-off in the month of April after surprisingly strong numbers in February and March. Records show Ridgeland took in $1,084,566.74 — roughly $117,350 less than it did in 2019. It's year-to-date total for 2020 now trails it's 2019 pace by nearly $70,000.

McGee said last week that the city is taking steps to offset any potential budget shortfall and that the board budgets conservatively in preparation for this type of economic downturn.

"I've been meeting with both the city's Board of Aldermen and our department heads on planning for potential budget reductions," McGee said last week. "We have operated on a surplus for years for this very reason, so that's where we are at this time."

Officials also announced Tuesday that they were expecting a shipment of between 6,000 and 8,000 face masks from MEMA that would be made available at city hall, the police and fire departments for Ridgeland residents. The masks can be picked up from 9-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Proof of residency is required and one mask per resident.