Mayor sets public hearing for budget and ties spending to public safety, housing and parks goals

Mayor (unnamed) told the Meridian City Council that the city will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at 5:15 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 18, and that the council will return at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 to adopt the budget. The mayor said those dates are intended to allow residents to comment before the council votes. The mayor emphasized public safety and competitive police pay during his remarks, referencing conversations with Mayor Barker of Hattiesburg and noting that some neighboring cities are paying $55,000–$60,000 for police officers. "That's because of the competitive nature right now as it relates to officers and public safety," the mayor said, urging the council to consider pay increases to retain talent. He linked proposed budget investments to code enforcement, demolition of dilapidated housing and parks and recreation programming, saying the investments are meant to restore neighborhoods and improve public safety. Council members sought clarification about the exact dates and times; the meeting included some back-and-forth about whether the adoption date was the 25th and whether a Thursday hearing time was correct. The mayor and staff said they would confirm times and noted the council would schedule additional community forums, including a forum for North Side residents coordinated with Councilman Brewer.