Dear Olive Branch Residents,

On behalf of myself, the Board of Aldermen, and City Staff, I would like to wish you a very happy start to 2025. 

2024 in Review as a City of Opportunity

It is always vital to take a moment to reflect as we set our sights to the future. Our City was featured in a lengthy write up as a City of Opportunity in a Special Edition of Built America magazine as one of three featured municipalities in the South! (You can read the full article here. ) Additionally in 2024, our City received recognition as a Certified Retirement Community, a Certified Genuine Mississippi Farmers Market, and a Certified Main Street Community.  These recognitions would not be possible without our City's volunteers, City Staff, and residents who take charge of special interests within our Community. 

 I am honored to share that just over 1,300 new residents and 161 new businesses were added to our community this past year. There were 181 new home permits  and 20 new commercial permits issued to lay the foundation for future growth of our municipality.  With this growth, our City has made major investments in our infrastructure keeping our commitment to improve our roadways and enhancements to our City's water and sewer systems. In the past 24 months, the City of Olive Branch has spent $11.3 million on its robust roadway resurfacing plan. 

Because of citizen feedback, our City has created an online processing for Public Records requests and updated polling locations to reflect the growth of our municipality.  For more information about the upcoming Municipal Election, please visit https://www.obms.us/1354/2025-Municipal-Elections . Additionally, the City purchased a new Fire Administration Building located on Old Goodman Road, three new firetrucks and 2 ambulances to better support the City's first responders.  

On the Horizon in 2025

As we enter 2025, there are many things to look ahead to.

 At the end of 2024, our City broke ground on an up to date new Public Works facility on HWY 178. As we start into 2025, we will break ground on several new facilities with a new Animal Shelter on Polk Lane, a new Fire Station to service the Center Hill area, a new six-court Pickleball facility nestled in City Park partially funded by the Homer Skelton Foundation, and additionally expand George M. Harrison Soccer Complex with four additional soccer fields, a new concessions stand, and a restroom facility with 405 additional parking places!  A new walking trail from the Soccer Complex to Ross Road will also be added. 

Refurbishment of Blocker Cemetery will take place as we enter 2025 with adding a Columbarium. We will also be looking to further illuminate Old Towne through special projects over the next year. This project was started with the illumination of City Hall and the City's Municipal Court Building in 2024.

The City of Olive Branch is launching a Community Garden project this upcoming Growing Season to give more agricultural opportunities to our residents. A public interest meeting will be held in the near future.

If one of your goals for 2025 is involvement with the City you call home, I would love to have additional residents participate in my special action committees or through our volunteering opportunities.  You can learn more about these committees and opportunities or sign up for them here:
https://www.obms.us/306/Volunteer-Programs .

Winter Weather Preparedness

Be prepared ahead of any inclement weather this Winter by taking steps today.  

When temperatures drop to extreme lows, it is strongly advise to drip your faucets to help prevent pipes from freezing in your home. You can mark your water meter and sewer clean-out so that they can be found quickly in the event of a pipe burst or sewer backup. Blue (water) and Green (sewer) flags are available at the Public Works Facility and at City Hall for residents. Place one blue flag by your water meter box and one green flag next to your sewer clean out. 

In the event of utility outages, please contact your utility company: 

Northcentral Electric Cooperative / 662-895-2151
Entergy Mississippi / 1-800-368-3749
City of Olive Branch / 662-895-4111 

This is  a great time to sign up for emergency notifications to be sent to your cell phone. If you haven’t already signed up to receive these notifications, simply text olivebranch to 888777.  Dial 911 if you are needing immediate emergency services. For non-emergency incidents, please dial (662) 895-4111.

If you need to monitor road conditions, you can check out the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)'s free traffic resources to monitor live road conditions athttps://www.mdottraffic.com/landing.aspx .

2025 Municipal Elections

2025 is an election year for Municipalities in Mississippi and I strongly encourage all residents to do their civic duty to vote. Primary Election Day is April 1, 2025 and the General Election is Tuesday, June 3. If you are a new resident, you can register to vote at City Hall during regular business hours. For more information about the upcoming Municipal Election, please visit https://www.obms.us/1354/2025-Municipal-Elections . 

Polling Places for 2025

Find your ward here: https://www.obms.us/314/Find-My-Ward-Map
Ward 1: Compel Church, 7790 Davidson Road
Ward 2: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 5690 Pleasant Hill Road
Ward 3: Redeemer Church, 5050 Katherine Drive
Ward 4: Olive Branch Municipal Court, 6900 Highland Street
Ward 5: Great Commission Church, 7070 Reliance Lane
Ward 6: Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8161 Germantown Road

Stay In Touch

Thank you for reading the latest edition of our City's newsletter, From The Mayor’s Desk. This newsletter is my commitment to transparency and open dialogue to foster a sense of unity among all residents. I encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback with us so that we can continue to grow and improve together. You can send an email to info@obms.us anytime with this feedback. You can also participate in our community survey here.

 I wish you and your families a successful start to 2025 and thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor.

Sincerely

Kenneth (Ken) R. Adams

Mayor of the City of Olive Branch

ken.adams@obms.us 662.892.9201