After some discussion, the Wesson Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday to allow the town’s zoning board to review offsite sign ordinances.

An offsite sign advertises a business that exists on another property.

Until new language can be written and reviewed, no action shall be taken against currently existing offsite signs.

The issue came up for review in April when Jarrad Ashley’s request for a sign variance was denied. Under the current ordinance, offsite signs are not allowed.

“I’m a businessman that owns that piece of property that I’m trying to put a sign on, and have a business located in the town of Wesson that collects sales tax,” Ashley said in the April meeting.

Originally, the board was going to vote on a resolution to change the ordinance to allow one offsite sign for properties that exist outside of the downtown preservation area, but Ward 4 Alderman Mike King suggested that the entire section of the ordinance should be reviewed and new language should be drawn up.

Ashley, who was present at the Tuesday meeting, said in his request for a variance he was not asking for the board to change the law. Mayor Alton Shaw said it wasn’t unusual for ordinances to come up for review when new situations come to light.

“The recommendation from the zoning board was to modify the current ordinance, because when they looked at it, they said this particular section of the ordinance does not seem to be fair,” Shaw said. “And that’s what we want to try to do.”

In other business:

• A hearing was held for the 2016-17 budget. Shaw said the budget was largely unchanged from 2015-16, and taxes will not increase. The budget is not yet finalized, and a final version of the budget will be voted on in September.

• Police fines for Shane Munn for $323.25 and Willie D. Hooks for $500 were written off since both are deceased.

• The millage rate for 2016-17 was approved. The Wesson Fire Department will receive 1 mill, and the general fund will receive 30.76 mills. Shaw said the reason the fire department receives its own millage is because it is necessary under Mississippi law for the department to receive fire insurance rebate money.

• Discussion on modifications to the burn ordinance was tabled until the September meeting.

• The deadline for specifications for the $250,000 Wesson paving project was set for Friday, according to Shaw.

• King was recognized for receiving his first level of certification with the Mississippi Municipal League.