Florence board approves emergency water repair, pump rebuilds, business signage, budget amendment and hires part‑time officer

The Florence mayor and board on Aug. 5 approved a slate of routine municipal actions, including funding emergency water repairs, paying for two rebuilt lift‑station pumps, approving signage and exterior work for local businesses, adopting Budget Amendment #2 for the 2025 fiscal year and hiring a part‑time police officer after an executive session.

The meeting, called to order by Mayor Gunn, began with the board approving training for Tac‑Officer Dee McCrory (Aug. 20–21, 2025, Mendenhall) with the city to pay the $300 registration and related lawful costs. The board then approved payment of invoice M25017‑F for $6,434.15 to cover emergency repairs to a leaking gate valve at Church and Main streets to restore water service. Councillors next approved a sole‑source rebuild by Cooper Electric Motor & Pump Sales & Service of two submersible pumps at the lift station near Jerry's Fish House (total $12,243.07).

Community Development Director Joel Sims brought two business permit items before the board. The board approved signage for Rankin Rowdies, owned by Sunny Duhnna, at 15 Jackson Circle as submitted by Chris Davis Lighting Company, Inc., and approved an exterior update for Eagle Car Wash at 106 Crosspark Blvd., submitted by Munn Signs. City Engineer Tim Parker presented two infrastructure items: the board authorized Mayor Gunn to sign supplemental agreement documents for the Eagle Post Road Overlay project (STP‑7073‑00(001)) and authorized the mayor to sign a stop‑work order for Thompson Brothers Drilling, Inc., effective July 23, 2025.

On administrative matters the board approved Budget Amendment #2 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025, agreed to place a $239 "Good Luck Eagles" ad in the Rankin County News, and authorized attendance (and payment of $125 registration fees) for governing authorities and the deputy city clerk to the Small‑Town Conference in Philadelphia, MS.

A motion by Alderman John Banks, citing reviewed Mississippi Attorney General opinions, amended a prior July 1 motion by striking the phrase “full‑time position” from language concerning the mayor’s office; the board recorded aye votes from the five aldermen on that motion. The board also adopted a resolution supporting the Steens's Creek Landing project and investment in related public infrastructure, with an expressed intent to partner with Rankin First and Rankin County.

During an executive session called to discuss a police personnel matter, the board approved hiring Hayden Lukens as a part‑time police officer at $20.00 per hour starting Aug. 11, 2025, pending a successful background check and drug and alcohol testing. The board returned to open session and adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Training for Tac‑Officer Dee McCrory (Aug. 20–21, 2025) — Motion: Alderman John Banks; Second: Alderman Kyle Martin; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). Registration fee $300; city to pay related lawful costs. • Invoice M25017‑F — $6,434.15 for emergency gate‑valve repair — Motion: Alderman John Banks; Second: Alderman Kyle Martin; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Cooper Electric pump rebuild — $12,243.07, sole source — Motion: Alderman John Banks; Second: Alderman Brian Grantham; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Rankin Rowdies signage (15 Jackson Circle) — Motion: Alderman Mason Herrin; Second: Alderman Brent Sistrunk; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Eagle Car Wash exterior update (106 Crosspark Blvd.) — Motion: Alderman John Banks; Second: Alderman Kyle Martin; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Eagle Post Road Overlay supplemental agreement (STP‑7073‑00(001)) — Motion: Alderman Brent Sistrunk; Second: Alderman John Banks; Outcome: Authorized (unanimous). • Thompson Brothers Drilling stop‑work order (effective July 23, 2025) — Motion: Alderman Mason Herrin; Second: Alderman Brian Grantham; Outcome: Authorized (unanimous). • Budget Amendment #2 FYE 09/30/2025 — Motion: Alderman Brian Grantham; Second: Alderman John Banks; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Rankin County News ad ($239) — Motion: Alderman Brian Grantham; Second: Alderman John Banks; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Small‑Town Conference attendance (registration $125 each) — Motion: Alderman Brian Grantham; Second: Alderman Kyle Martin; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Board order amending July 1 motion to remove “full‑time position” language for the mayor — Motion: Alderman John Banks; Second: Alderman Mason Herrin; Outcome: Adopted (recorded aye votes by aldermen Banks, Grantham, Herrin, Martin, Sistrunk). • Resolution supporting Steens's Creek Landing project — Motion: Alderman Mason Herrin; Second: Alderman Brian Grantham; Outcome: Adopted (recorded aye votes). • Claims docket — Motion: Alderman Kyle Martin; Second: Alderman Brent Sistrunk; Outcome: Approved (unanimous). • Minutes of July 15, 2025 — Motion: Alderman John Banks; Second: Alderman Mason Herrin; Outcome: Approved (Aye: Banks, Herrin, Martin, Sistrunk; Abstain: Alderman Brian Grantham). • Executive session (police personnel matter) — Motion to enter and exit: Alderman Brian Grantham; Second: Alderman John Banks; Outcome: Entered and exited (unanimous). Time in: 6:50 p.m.; out: 6:55 p.m. • Hiring of Hayden Lukens as part‑time police officer ($20.00/hr, start Aug. 11, 2025, contingent on background and testing) — Motion: Alderman Brian Grantham; Second: Alderman John Banks; Outcome: Approved (recorded aye votes by aldermen).

What happens next: The approved budget amendment and contract documents will be processed by city staff per usual administrative procedures; the newly hired part‑time officer is scheduled to begin Aug. 11 pending completion of pre‑employment checks. The board did not schedule additional public hearings on the Steens's Creek Landing resolution at this meeting.