Gautier council reappoints city manager, municipal judge and city attorney; names MML delegates

Gautier City Council on July 1 unanimously reappointed Paula Yancey as city manager, reappointed Sean Ellerbe as municipal judge and approved a contract with the law firm identified in the agenda as Gordy Stanos Pierce to serve as city attorney and city prosecutor.

The actions came during the council’s regular meeting at Gautier City Hall after the council approved the agenda and moved through several business items. The council also appointed Mayor Vaughn as the city’s voting delegate and Councilman Richard Jackson as alternate for the 2025 Mississippi Municipal League (MML) conference.

Council members made the reappointment motions and voted “all in favor; motion carries” for each item. The transcript records the motion to reappoint the city attorney as made by Councilman Jackson with a second from Councilman George. The motion to reappoint the city manager was moved and seconded and carried; the motion to reappoint Judge Sean Ellerbe was similarly moved and seconded and carried. The council did not read a roll-call tally into the public record during these votes.

The MML item included a brief explanation from staff that the conference holds elections for the MML board and that the customary practice is for the mayor to serve as the primary delegate and an attending councilmember to serve as alternate. The council approved the mayor as delegate and Councilman Jackson as alternate by motion and voice vote.

Council members offered brief remarks thanking appointees and staff. Councilwoman Jamieson said, “Thank you for your services,” addressing the reappointments during the meeting.

No public comments opposing these reappointments or the attorney contract were recorded in the transcript. The council adjourned after completing the business and study agendas and recessed to its next meeting on July 15, 2025.