Resident raises ethics questions about Legacy Park TIF; Councilman College says he recused from developer work

During the public‑comment period, a resident asked the Gautier City Council whether actions tied to the Legacy Park tax‑increment financing (TIF) and a private developer’s subsequent engagement of a design firm violated Mississippi ethics rules.

Resident Jacob White told the council he was “here to educate myself” and asked whether the matter violated “the Mississippi Ethics Commission title 28 25 chapter 4 section 1 and 5,” language he used from the statute he had read. White also referenced timing around the TIF hearing and a later contracting relationship involving the design firm.

Councilman College responded at length, saying his employer was procured only for an architectural building footprint on Aug. 12, 2024, four months after the TIF hearing; he said he has since recused himself from any city business involving that company. College told the council he is a salaried employee with no profit sharing in the private firm and that his firm’s work was limited to building footprint design rather than infrastructure that would have used TIF funds. He said the statutory restrictions White cited apply to public contracts, not private development work, and reiterated that he had not participated in related council decisions.

City attorney Mister Voorhees was present and the mayor invited legal counsel to explain if members wanted formal clarification; no formal legal opinion was recorded on the record during the meeting. No council action or formal investigation was launched at the meeting; the exchange concluded after council members and staff reiterated that College had recused himself from matters where a conflict could arise.

Ending Council members thanked participants for attending public comment and moved on to other agenda items; no additional process or referral was recorded on the meeting minutes.