About $1.28 million in economic recovery funds, surface transportation program funds, and left over bond money will be used to resurface a number of streets in Picayune.

The council members discussed the best way to disperse the money at Picayune’s Tuesday city council meeting, so that each district gets a fair share of paving.

The funding included $419,289 in uncommitted STP funds, $129,555 in STP funds as part of an economic recovery project, $378,056 in economic recovery funds and $352,800 in bond money. The economic recovery funds, STP economic funds and a 20 percent match from the city have been designated for four roads — Palestine Road, Crosby Street, North Main Street and Beech Street. Of the $540,000 worth of paving to be done on those roads, the city only needs to come up with $32,389.

Council member Larry Watkins suggested each council district would get a fair share of the total $1.28 million, or $255,940. Since funds have been earmarked for those four streets Watkins proposed that the work done on the designated streets be credited to that council person’s district as a deduction from their district’s total.

The motion was approved by the council to distribute the total amount of funds equally between the districts.

Siemens is preparing to try to get as much money as the company can to conduct the meter maintenance work in the city limits. Anthony Adillo Jr. with Siemens said he has to get the project approved through Mississippi Development Authority, which will conduct ongoing supervision of the project. Adillo said he has a meeting planned with MDA where he will try to get the city as much money possible since the project is “shovel ready,” Adillo said.

“The way I look at it, the City of Picayune has the first bite of the apple,” Adillo said.

On a separate topic, the city council approved a motion to adopt the Comprehensive Plan that was presented meeting earlier this month. Mayor Greg Mitchell said the last comprehensive plan was adopted in 1989. He said Comprehensive Plans are expected to provide the city a plan for growth for 10 to 15 years. What is in the plan can be revised to help the city grow and be viable.

Before the council adjourned for the evening, Watkins took a second to thank the Board of Supervisors for helping the city do some paving on Amelia Street, Beech Street and Ridge Road.

The next scheduled council meeting will be at 6 p.m. April 7.