By Zoë Pickett
During the October city planning meeting, Springhill officials discussed several ongoing issues, including the vacant Main Street Manager position, downtown revitalization grants, and concerns over the city’s animal control expenses.
Mayor Ray Huddleston opened the meeting with updates on the city’s search for a new Main Street Manager. Despite applications received, the mayor said none of the candidates had the necessary experience for the position. The Springhill Main Street Committee also reviewed the applications and came to the same conclusion.
“We need somebody,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Amber Cobb, who currently assists with Amy Poladian the Main Street duties. “There are projects in process that really need someone to facilitate them. I can’t do both jobs full-time.”
The city plans to continue advertising for the position and may explore additional options through online hiring platforms such as Indeed.
Cobb also briefed the council on the city’s involvement in the Downtown Roadmap Grant through Main Street America, a program valued at $6,600. The grant reimburses the city in full and will bring in experts in engineering, policy, landscape design, and marketing to study downtown Springhill and develop a long-term improvement plan.
The council also addressed the growing confusion and concern surrounding the city’s animal control services and expenses. Springhill has been paying $1,250 per month to local veterinarian Dr. Chubby Stewart for animal control services. Previously, the city had a long-standing arrangement with McMahen Veterinary Clinic, but that agreement was changed three months ago.
Police Chief Will Lynd, who manages the animal control, said the switch was intended to save money. “We were paying $14,000 a year and had only sent one dog out in six months,” Lynd explained. “It didn’t make sense to keep paying that much for minimal usage.”
However, McMahen representatives told the council they were never notified that the city had ended their contract and that they continued to accept strays from within Springhill during that time. McMahen’s staff stated that they handle 20 to 40 animals per month, many dropped off by residents who believe they are within city limits.
Local animal advocate Michelle Benson-Lewis and council members raised concerns about the change, noting that the community cannot take animals directly to Stewart’s facility, which operates only two days a week. Others talked about McMahen’s long history of service to the city.
Council members agreed that if the monthly rate is the same, it would make sense to return services to McMahen Veterinary Clinic while improving accountability. The City Attorney said he will begin drafting a formal contract to clarify responsibilities, costs, and state-mandated animal hold times.
Chief Lynd also requested that animal control funding be moved out from under the police department’s budget, stating that the service “is not a public safety function.”
The meeting closed with an agreement to temporarily move animal control services back to McMahen Veterinary Clinic while the city works out contract details and updates its policies.