Aldermen reject local web designer

A proposal by a local media company to redesign the city’s website was rejected by aldermen in a 3-2 vote last week.

Over the past few months, discussions have centered around a proposal by Thrash Media to redesign and manage the city of Philadelphia’s website philadelphiathecity.com. 

Hunter Thrash, the owner of Thrash Media, presented a proposal in November outlining the redesign and content migration for $920. An additional yearly fee of $215 was proposed for a new domain name and website builder platform.

Thrash Media would also receive a flat monthly rate of $200 for ongoing website management, ensuring the site stays current with graphics, and information. 

The city currently has a $480 annual contract with U.S. Next for website management, prompting a discussion on whether to opt for local management or continue with the existing Jackson-based U.S. Next, which bills itself as the largest web development firm in Mississippi, with more than 800 clients in 24 states.

Ward 1 Alderman Justin Clearman and Ward 3 Alderman Jim Fulton voted in favor of hiring Thrash Media, emphasizing the potential for a more updated and visually appealing website. 

“From his proposal, the website is going to be more updated, look better, flow better, and there is potential to handle some social media down the road,” Clearman said. 

Clearman then motioned for approval, but Alderman-at-Large James Waltman, Ward 4 Alderman Shaun Seales, and Ward 3 Alderman James Tatum expressed reservations and ultimately voted against the motion to hire Thrash.

Waltman questioned the need for change, citing the comprehensive information already available on the current website, and compared the current hosting cost of $40 per month to Thrash Media's $200 per month proposal. 

“I’ve looked at our website and I can’t figure anything that would need to be on the website that the city has not already posted on there,” Waltman said. “Anything pertaining to this city and this county you can hit a button and get it off our website right now.”

Clearman’s motion was seconded by Fulton who said, “Thrash is local to our community, and I think he would be an asset. I feel like he would do a good job promoting this city.”

Despite Clearman and Fulton advocating for Thrash, the final vote was 3-2 against hiring Thrash, with Waltman, Seales, and Tatum voting against the motion.

In other matters, aldermen voted to:

• Approve a motion to allow Allen Engineering to apply for a grant for a fuel truck of up to $100,000 attributed to the city. The motion was approved unanimously; 

• Approve a motion to pay Allen Engineering invoice totaling $1,437.50 on the Runway Seal Coat Airport project. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay Allen & Hoshall invoice totaling $420 for a CDBG project. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with MDOT regarding work on the Lakeside Drive and Weyerhaeuser Street bridges. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to give Willie Evans with the Street Department a $1 per hour probationary raise. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to repair a CAT 420 backhoe used by the Street Department. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to allow the placement of a pick-up box on Byrd Ave for business usage. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to give Wayne Rogers with the Sanitation Department a $1 per hour probationary raise. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept $2,000 from the Neshoba Branch of the National Deer Association for the Police Department. The motion was approved unanimously.