[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076893,"mediaKeyId","2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc","parentId",2967054,"title","Olive Branch board moves into executive session to discuss personnel in airport, gas and police departments","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",1834000,"endMs",1872000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc&start=1834&end=1872","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc/thumbnail_1834000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076893/Olive-Branch/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Olive-Branch-board-moves-into-executive-session-to-discuss-personnel-in-airport-gas-and-police-departments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076893-3348bd1165cf791baa1169d489b98939/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153104&Signature=BnBv4D~mfaGMlBZ7MVbxciNGdPQRiWOueqquC1AamlOhyZiiMrG0QUwI7S43N0R8Xjiro90N4LOeKviTZKFNASyypVa~Nn4iUhHofl4IQ8RIe3B742xRQlpVga6nBR78d8k6hyTeCMbaicR5X9zm4haGk0n8dGtxYNqxaz~cBCAVg-Me-uNi7VnP2y1JUcQevK7SCrfzseCKwNyjhevzSu~hZk~Yp5M9HoTUxmRnicXIoXlCEV8hVw5FfhqWPyBmz3wmYEZIvVG3CaAcVWO19HP18LiUiBpf0Pc2sUN4ng5gVosyY8QAvEfVmSG-3S5BA6NWxAUacG7Z6mSZl~RKug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Olive Branch","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen voted to leave regular session and enter executive session to discuss three personnel matters across city departments.

The board first voted to leave regular session with the intention of going into executive session to discuss personnel items in the airport department, gas department and police department. The motion to leave regular session was made by Mr. Wallace, seconded by Mr. Collins, and carried on a voice vote.

During the executive-session motion the mayor listed the topics to be discussed: a recommendation for a potential new hire in the airport department; recommendations for potential new hires in the gas maintenance department; and recommendations for promotions and a salary increase in the police department. A motion to go into executive session was made by Mr. Earhart and seconded by Miss Aldridge; the board then voted in favor and entered executive session.

The public transcript ends at the board’s vote to enter executive session; no details of the personnel recommendations or any subsequent votes inside executive session were disclosed in the public record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Olive Branch Board of Aldermen Meeting 3/18/2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to leave regular session and enter executive session to discuss personnel matters: potential hires in the airport and gas departments and promotions and salary increases in the police department.","taxTitle","Olive Branch, DeSoto County, Mississippi","taxId",54284,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076895,"City awards pavement preservation contract to Vance Brothers for roughly $1.05 million",70,1730000,1800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc&start=1730&end=1800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc/thumbnail_1730000.jpg","/articles/6076895/Olive-Branch/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/City-awards-pavement-preservation-contract-to-Vance-Brothers-for-roughly-105-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076895-2275095c63bd68a291513ddcd7af100b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153104&Signature=BDVYQUv~tAMSmNcPYBIWV0Fxt533~vCviejUTjqXcGxotWmR2Duw1khpvTvyVVH7AkAsmF6Lc~XmNtiXOWEexljrJqmUY59yZNXGCdio2Lg4O5~UTNvCSXugTiDUAsyZQraz7vNVYlPYfnMaSJJKO3Nk242kLuXIJ9s1ZiNDsANX11ySxep8-SgYOJ7rek0qG8yECqoXyQIUAzALVC7EpDPeXkszjFM6gsn~L5TrH1-DYmf5uu-L-onxMTRxFNBq6R0ug20GNL-eedun~AHcu2YyonrqOUu1PkF92ARyRDf6VuGkGpaP0CneV1BCbpllMDje8Aw~ZaepFXc1~rIpLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen approved a pavement preservation contract after staff recommended moving forward with a single bid for the city’s pavement preservation program.

Mr. Swims reported the city received one bid for the pavement preservation work from Vance Brothers in the amount of $1,051,833.50 and recommended the board proceed with the project. The board voted to approve the recommendation; Mr. Dixon made the motion and Miss Henderson seconded it. The motion carried on a voice vote.

“Vance Brothers… The bid came in at $1,051,833.50. And I do recommend to the mayor and board of Alderman that we do move forward with this pavement preservation project,” Mr. Swims told the board.

Staff said pavement preservation performed last year produced good results and recommended continuation of the program this year. The transcript records no additional contract contingencies or scheduling details in public session.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve pavement preservation contract with Vance Brothers for $1,051,833.50: Mover — Mr. Dixon; Second — Miss Henderson; Outcome — approved (voice vote).","Olive Branch approved a pavement preservation contract with Vance Brothers for $1,051,833.50 after staff recommended proceeding with the single bid received for street maintenance work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076897,"Olive Branch joins Mississippi Main Street program; board approves membership",443,1122000,1565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc&start=1122&end=1565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc/thumbnail_1122000.jpg","/articles/6076897/Olive-Branch/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Olive-Branch-joins-Mississippi-Main-Street-program-board-approves-membership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076897-ff091c56891ad2b005bec28ff765eba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153104&Signature=fnUQ3swGeAJigVs5eKJhWCuSuby2QGIonXy1eGB-q--rudViOi8rXXJFDs93-3OrTL341Tl9z2ugFnjgCkgJybwUNQPLMc5r4ZFtKj5lsIwTUdWh8jTPUfp1Iv4ihdXkPWApfEo1yr8FvftYEE8tri178FeRDJ~vW4rNumhvMxWWARpAbXaSU-TBPCC1Xppk4lQ0XCXlpgV-tVmmBU~PysiWjWnj4gZT18RfK9LHYlCn~CmbcZ-O8PZvCQFQFT8cOrMrIJU4IVnj6y1j-7HthfoDnjRV5v~U71lw0BaW2ixptY7ztoMCACYZUqetRhWgJOV1VkiiDJoBZCGumJAokA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen voted to rejoin the Mississippi Main Street network and to pursue program pathways aimed at downtown revitalization and grant eligibility.

Jennifer Lay, a Mississippi Main Street representative and Olive Branch native, told the board the program uses a place-based, incremental approach to downtown revitalization and provides technical assistance, grant opportunities and statewide advocacy. Beth Rainey, grants director for Mississippi Main Street, attended and described the organization’s role in identifying and assisting with funding opportunities.

Council members pressed staff and the Main Street representatives on grant history and funding amounts. Lay said the program has 49 designated programs and about 84 total members across all membership tiers. She described past ARPA-supported grants and a Main Street revitalization grant that is allocated by the Mississippi legislature on a year-to-year basis. Lay cited Biloxi’s recent planning grant of about $317,000 as an example of how planning work can lead to multimillion-dollar projects.

Kim Terrell, communications director for the city, was identified by the mayor as the staff lead on the Main Street effort; the mayor praised the communications team and asked staff to coordinate with Main Street representatives. The board approved a motion by Mr. Wallace, seconded by Miss Hamilton, to complete the city’s membership and proceed with Main Street participation; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Board members said they will hold a meeting with Old Town merchants and business owners to chart next steps and assign staff oversight. Main Street representatives said they provide application assistance for grants and maintain a statewide advocacy presence to pursue funding at state and federal levels.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to complete membership and join Mississippi Main Street Association: Mover — Mr. Wallace; Second — Miss Hamilton; Outcome — approved (voice vote).","The Board of Aldermen approved joining the Mississippi Main Street network after a presentation on grant, technical assistance, and marketing benefits available to participating communities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076899,"Olive Branch board awards pickleball contract, acknowledges $510,000 Homer Skelton Foundation gift",285,341000,626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc&start=341&end=626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967054-a989652036ad8a7befaad773cf4a71bc/thumbnail_341000.jpg","/articles/6076899/Olive-Branch/DeSoto-County/Mississippi/Olive-Branch-board-awards-pickleball-contract-acknowledges-510000-Homer-Skelton-Foundation-gift","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076899-c2c6c9be2174ad4533ee8dfec3a34c89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153104&Signature=Tv-46Uf9jtk-Ynq~DPuZGtZzxuJa1guqGUlL6OFRWgZ2GpB70o5NWJvrL25HiSqnQxda24mBjL2fWaBS9NSJI8guOzmPIg8hwvgt5bpqU1P7mc5fzfrdLnY~j5uvIp~HN7xedCZCZwH-TIbSt1mbJPrmv~SEbeS8xycQhKlOTX2QZwadOaZtFH2nUzsAKN1TrYaI6XNCPAjaaiM496tYLl-cSIl1509pOBqj~TE7dwYnj45L12NjUvDZCC9w7-JMQatOP94ecgml8Lp19aeQ9Z2fg77wYofnsAiULuaIV5X3KAu179ksmulH~uSLOig0X-bPRP11NqUdZkIu5mm8Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen voted to accept the low bid to build six pickleball courts and restroom facilities at Olive Branch City Park and formally acknowledged a major philanthropic gift that will fund much of the project.

The board accepted a base bid from Alexander Construction LLC for $978,907.63 to build six courts and a restroom facility at Olive Branch City Park, according to staff presentation and a motion from Alderman at Large Collins. The motion to accept the low bid was seconded by Alderman Henderson and carried with all members voting in favor.

“The apparent low bidder is Alexander Construction LLC, with a base bid of $978,907.63,” said Mr. Swims, a city staff member who presented the bid results. Staff reported nine bids were received for the project, a higher-than-usual number for this scope of work.

The board also acknowledged a $510,000 contribution from the Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation that the mayor read into the record. The mayor read a resolution that “formally acknowledged and accepted” the foundation’s gift and described Homer Skelton’s philanthropic history in the region. The mayor said the donation makes construction of the courts possible and thanked the Skelton family.

David Fisher of Fisher and Arnold, the firm that designed the courts for the city, was present and recognized by the board during the presentation. City staff said the project rendering shows six courts and restroom facilities.

No additional conditions or contingencies tied to the bid award were recorded in the public portion of the meeting. Staff recommended moving forward with the Alexander Construction LLC contract; the board approved the recommendation.

The board previously tabled bids on this item; staff confirmed the readout and recommendation at the March 18 meeting. The city’s chief financial officer and members of the Skelton family attended the meeting for the acknowledgment and photo opportunity.

The contract award and philanthropic acknowledgment come as the city moves ahead with park improvements intended to expand recreational amenities.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to accept low bid from Alexander Construction LLC (base bid $978,907.63): Mover — Alderman at Large Collins; Second — Alderman Henderson; Outcome — approved (voice vote).","The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen approved a low bid to build six pickleball courts and acknowledged a $510,000 gift from the Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation to fund the project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Olive Branch board moves into executive session to discuss personnel in airport, gas and police departments

City awards pavement preservation contract to Vance Brothers for roughly $1.05 million

Olive Branch joins Mississippi Main Street program; board approves membership

Olive Branch board awards pickleball contract, acknowledges $510,000 Homer Skelton Foundation gift