Language added to address contractors’ damage to property 

Southaven city leaders approved adding amendments to contracts with utility contractors doing work on residential properties in the city. 

During his Mayor’s Report portion of the agenda at Tuesday’s Southaven Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Darren Musselwhite requested the language be added to the Permit for Utilities Franchisee contracts.  This applies for contractors doing work for internet, phone service, or electricity, for instance.  

“We have had a lot of trouble with contractors doing work in residential areas over the past few years,” Musselwhite said. “The total disregard for the citizens, such as ripping yards up and not fixing them, hitting other utility lines, knocking out power, or internet service, it’s just been ridiculous.”

Musselwhite said he’s asked to speak with contractors about fixing the problems and has even had stop orders issued on some work due to the disregard being shown.  

Under the amendment approved by the board Tuesday night, the following must occur:

1. Contractors must have identification on vehicles and personnel to identify them as contract utility workers.

2. If a line is hit, the city has up to five days to suspend their permit to find out what is going on.

3. After three instances of negligence, repeat offenders will have their permit suspended until they go before the Board with a remediation plan to correct ongoing issues. 

4. Requirement to notify City and citizens of completion date for repairs. 

In other action Tuesday night, conditional use permits were approved for an indoor children’s recreational facility at 6589 Town Center Loop, and for a residential treatment facility on Marathon Way between Airways and Elmore.