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Florence board approves emergency water repairs, business signage, budget amendment and hires part-time officer; backs Steens's Creek Landing
Summary
At its Aug. 5 meeting the Florence mayor and board unanimously approved emergency water repairs and pump rebuilds, business signage and exterior updates, Budget Amendment No. 2, authorized staff training and travel, adopted a resolution supporting the Steens's Creek Landing project, and hired a part-time police officer following an executive session.
The Florence mayor and board met Aug. 5 at city hall and approved a slate of routine and project-focused actions, including emergency repairs, business signage and a personnel hire.
Mayor Gunn called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the board quickly moved through several staff recommendations. On the recommendation of Police Chief Brad Burns, the board approved sending Tac-Officer Dee McCrory to a communications training class in Mendenhall on Aug. 20–21, 2025, with the city covering the $300 registration fee and allowable related costs. The board also approved payment of invoice M25017-F for $6,434.15 to address an emergency leaking gate valve at Church Street and Main Street so water service could be restored.
Public works items included authorization to pay Cooper Electric Motor & Pump Sales & Service $12,243.07 to rebuild two submersible pumps at the lift station serving Jerry's Fish House on Highway 49; the rebuild was recorded as a sole-source purchase. City Engineer Tim Parker also presented documents for the Eagle Post Road Overlay Supplemental Agreement (Project No. STP-7073-00(001)), and the board authorized Mayor Gunn to sign the agreement. Parker additionally recommended that the mayor sign a stop work order for Thompson Brothers Drilling, Inc., effective July 23, 2025; the board approved that action.
Community Development Director Joel Sims brought two business permit items to the board. The council approved signage for Rankin Rowdies owner 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.
On financial and administrative matters, City Clerk Linda Wigley recommended and the board approved Budget Amendment No. 2 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. Alderman Brian Grantham moved and the board approved placing a $239 Good Luck Eagles ad in the Rankin County News and authorized sending governing authorities and the deputy city clerk to the Small-Town Conference in Philadelphia, Mississippi, with the city covering $125 registration per person and allowable costs.
On a recommendation from City Attorney Bobby Lingold, the board adopted a board order amending a July 1 motion by striking the phrase "full-time position" from language concerning the mayor’s status, with recorded ayes from all five aldermen. The board also adopted a resolution supporting the Steens's Creek Landing project and the city’s intention to partner with Rankin First and Rankin County on necessary public infrastructure investments such as sewer and park signage.
The board approved the claims docket and approved the minutes of July 15, 2025; the minutes passed with Alderman Brian Grantham recorded as abstaining. Near the end of the meeting the board entered executive session to discuss a police personnel matter and, on Chief Burns' recommendation, voted to hire Hayden Lukens as a part-time police officer at $20.00 per hour beginning Aug. 11, 2025, pending background and drug/alcohol testing. The board returned to open session and Mayor Gunn adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: payment of invoice M25017-F for emergency water repairs ($6,434.15) — motion carried unanimously; Cooper Electric pump rebuilds ($12,243.07) — motion carried unanimously; Rankin Rowdies signage and Eagle Car Wash exterior update — motions carried unanimously; Eagle Post Road agreement authorization and stop work order for Thompson Brothers Drilling — motions carried unanimously; Budget Amendment No. 2 — carried unanimously; Good Luck Eagles ad ($239) and Small-Town Conference travel ($125 per registration) — carried unanimously; board order amending July 1 motion — recorded ayes from all five aldermen; resolution supporting Steens's Creek Landing — recorded ayes from all five aldermen; approval of minutes of July 15, 2025 — carried with Alderman Grantham abstaining; hire of part-time officer Hayden Lukens — recorded ayes from all five aldermen.
