Smith to be named new council president

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
June 15, 2004
A routine change of leadership in the Meridian City Council is expected to place two-term Ward 5 Councilman Bobby Smith in charge as president until next year's city elections.
Councilmen, who meet at 5:30 p.m. today in a regularly scheduled meeting, historically rotate the position of president and vice president among the five members every year.
Smith had been serving the past year as vice president; he last served as president just before the 2001 city elections. Ward 4 Councilman Jesse E. Palmer Sr. is expected to serve the next year as vice president.
Smith will replace Ward 3 Councilman Barbara Henson, who has served as president the past year.
The change in leadership will come days after Smith and Henson met with the city's attorney to discuss what the council can do about delays associated with the planned interchange to serve the new Meridian/Lauderdale County I-20/59 Industrial Park.
Councilmen discovered last week that they may have to amend their contract with Jackson-based Engineering Associates Inc. or possibly lose more than $500,000 in federal funds earmarked for the project.
The council hired Engineering Associates in December 2002 for preconstruction design work,
The discovery was made after Federal Highway Administration officials denied payment of initial design work, including environmental studies, because they said they never approved the city's contract with Engineering Associates before work began.
Henson said councilmen are expected to discuss their options today.
Palmer said the council's ability to work together will help them in making a decision.
Smith agreed. And, he said, better communication is going to be one of his top priorities as president.