The preliminary map for a proposed subdivision has been given the go-ahead by the City.

Tuesday, Brookhaven’s Board of Aldermen voted to approve the preliminary plat — the map showing the infrastructure to be constructed — submitted for a grouping of 28 homes to be built on South First Street property.

The Madera Court Development is planned for property near the Mill Creek Homes subdivision, also owned by the same group of investors. Representatives from the group were present at the meeting to answer questions from the Board. 

Mill Creek is a 48-home development, offering lease-to-own properties, though they can be simply rented. After 15 years in the program, a lessee has the option to purchase the home they have been leasing. The Madera Court subdivision will be 28 homes, all offered as rental properties only.

Explaining that the terms “affordable” and “low-income” are not interchangeable, one of the representatives said Mill Creek has done well in its four years of operation in offering affordable housing. It has no government ownership or subsidies. 

“All rental properties there are about $930 per month,” he said. “And they are occupied by people who work here locally.” He gave examples of law enforcement officers, educators, medical professionals, bank employees, and people employed with the Department of Transportation. 

Mill Creek, approved by the Board in June 2019, has maintained 95 percent occupancy in its history. Potential residents could apply beginning March 2021. 

Based on the performance of the existing subdivision and the group having met all legal requirements to date, aldermen voted 7-0 in approval of the submitted plat. Further work will need to be done and a final plat approved by the Board before work can commence.

In other business:

• Approved the low quote of $5,850 from Greenbriar Digging Service for work on South Washington Street.

• Approved the low quote of $12,300 from Greenbriar for work on Center Street on a bridge and ditch.

• Approved a motion from Alderman-at-large Don Underwood to have a traffic count performed on South First Street to help determine future improvements.

• Approved a motion from Ward 4 Alderman Jeff Henning to have a traffic camera installed on West Minnesota Street.

• Approved Ward 5 Alderman Fletcher Grice’s recommendation of Marty Davis to serve on the Recreation Department.

• Heard from engineer Mike McKenzie that repainting of the Home Seekers Paradise water tower had been completed and it was back in service. 

• Heard from Board attorney Bobby Moak that the City would adhere to a new Attorney General’s Opinion stating that no more than $25 per day may be spent by a City toward the housing of inmates in a County-owned jail, or $32.71 per day for anything beyond 30 days. The previous rate has been $50 per day from the City to the County, as agreed upon between the City and Sheriff’s Office. 

• Approved the lower quote of $60,000 from B&D Distribution LLC for the purchase of a used DuraPatcher Model P2 trailer-mounted pothole patcher. The other quote received was for $70,000 from Double D Construction.

• Approved the sole-source purchase of a 6-inch Badger meter to serve a mobile home park on Old Wesson Road, from Central Pipe & Supply Inc. in the amount of $12,235.56.

• Approved pay request No. 4/final from Tank Pro Inc. in the amount of $19,426.25 for the 2024 Industrial Park Road Water Tank Rehabilitation project, to be paid out of Infrastructure Funds. 

• Approved the Ad Valorem Tax Exemption application and resolution from Rex Lumber Brookhaven LLC for a 10-year period on improvements made to the facility in 2024, subject to State’s approval.

• Approved to hire Vincent Berry and Melvin Kelly as Solid Waste Department operators at $15 per hour, pending drug test, physical and background check.

• Approved to hire Deonte Fox and Anthony Owens as Street Department laborers at $10.55 per hour, pending drug test, physical and background check.

• Approved to rehire Jamall Jackson as a Street Department operator at $15 per hour, pending drug test, physical and background check.

• Approved a pay increase for Firefighter First Class Richard Edwards from $42,000 to $44,000 annually for completion and certification of Emergency Medical Responder, retroactive to April 1, 2025.

• Approved a salary increase for Firefighter John Knight from $32,000 to $35,602.15 annually for completion of certification.