Tupelo Establishes Economic Recovery Task Force

The Tupelo City Council voted to create an Economic Recovery Task Force to help combat the city’s financial loss from Covid-19.

Economic Recovery Task Force

City board members voted to approve an Economic Recovery Task Force. The group will consist of over thirty people, mostly Tupelo business owners, to help the city with economic recovery from Covid-19. The mayor said that Tupelo and Lee County had a relatively small number of Covid-19 cases for its population, which is proof the measures he set in place had been working.

With several businesses closing due to shelter-in-place orders, many have taken a negative financial impact. Shelton said the goal of the task force will be to lobby to our state and federal leaders for help and support, as well as, coaching local businesses on how to operate safely while dealing with Covid-19. According to the mayor’s office, the program is still being developed and details on exactly what the task force will be doing are still being worked out. Currently, task-force members will serve primarily as advisors to the city and its businesses. Councilman Willie Jennings voiced concerns about some members of the task-force being removed, however, the item passed unanimously.

The following is a list of members of the Economic Recovery Task Force.

Baldwin Morgan

Dr. Charles Bouldin

David Brevard

Dr. Louis Britton

Tillman Calvert

Jay Carney

Kelly Cofer

Chanda Cossitt

David Covinhaver

Kenneth Estes

Robin Haire

Lisa Hawkins

Steve Holland

Blair Hughes

Greg Jarrell

Emily Lauder

Brandi Long

John Lovorn

Mattie Mabry

Eloise Mayfield

Dr. Randy McCoy

Robin McGraw

Lynn Norris

Jack Reed Jr.

Dan Rollins

Jeff Snyder

Dr. Robert Solomon

Shane Spees

Jim Spencer

Ron Stephens

Amy Tate

Patsy Thompson

Jason Warren

Budget Amendment

The council voted to amend the city budget to account for $2,500,000 in projected lost sales revenue. Earlier in the week, Mayor Jason Shelton said the city would have to make cuts. He said that a city-wide hiring freeze is possible,  road work and maintenance might be slower moving forward. Shelton also said that the city would stop vehicle purchases.

Summer Sport Program Refunds.

It was decided that the city will refund payments made for summer sports programs. These include baseball, softball, adult softball, and soccer. Officials hope that programs can be restarted as early as June to continue these sports programs.

Due to social distancing several of the council members attended by phone and the public was allowed to watch by livestream.