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Florence board approves construction payments, grants permits and hires new patrolman after two resignations
Summary
At its July 15 meeting, the Florence Mayor and Board approved multiple construction pay requests (including a $706,950.53 road overlay payment), issued commercial permits, denied a new meter‑building for architectural noncompliance, accepted two police resignations and voted to hire a new full‑time patrolman starting July 17.
The Florence Mayor and Board of Aldermen on July 15 approved a series of municipal contracts, permits and personnel actions, including a $706,950.53 payment for a road overlay project and the hiring of a new patrolman after two officers resigned.
Mayor Trey Gunn called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with Aldermen John Banks, Brian Grantham, Mason Herrin, Kyle Martin and Brent Sistrunk present. Park Director Mark Hester and Community Development Director Joel Sims presented items on behalf of their departments.
The board accepted a $23,960 quote from Eagle Pipe and Supply for an inserta valve for the City Hall water well after Alderman Mason Herrin moved and Alderman John Banks seconded the motion; it passed unanimously. The board also approved awarding youth football uniforms to Apex Athletic Apparel as the lowest responsive bidder following a recommendation from Park Director Mark Hester.
On commercial permits, Community Development Director Joel Sims recommended and the board approved an expansion and facade update for Eagle Car Wash and granted a building permit for a Town Mart convenience store at 131 Highway 469 North. The board denied Perry Goode’s proposal for a new Mid‑South Meter building at 102 Indian Creek Drive, citing that the proposal did not meet the city's current architectural requirements.
City Engineer Tim Parker recommended two construction payments that the board approved: Pay Request #8 to Hemphill Construction Company, Inc. for $20,200 for sanitary sewer additions on Hwy. 49–Eagle Post Road, and Pay Request #1 to A. J. Construction, Inc. for the Eagle Post Road overlay project in the amount of $706,950.53. The latter payment was recorded as the largest single disbursement on the agenda. Alderman John Banks made the motions to approve both pay requests and they passed unanimously.
The board also approved a $3,000 payment to Butler Snow LLP for a continuing disclosure submission for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024; approved the mid‑month claims docket; and approved the minutes of the July 1, 2025 meeting.
A motion by Alderman John Banks, seconded by Alderman Brian Grantham, opened consideration of an executive session to discuss a police‑department personnel matter. The board entered executive session at 7:05 p.m.
In executive session, Chief Burns recommended accepting the resignations of Officer Cody Parfait and Officer David Dear, both effective July 9, 2025; the board voted to accept both resignations with recorded aye votes from Aldermen Banks, Grantham, Herrin, Martin and Sistrunk. The board also approved hiring Canyon Bilbro as a full‑time patrolman at $21.06 per hour, starting July 17, 2025, pending successful background and drug/alcohol testing.
The board returned to regular session at 7:15 p.m., and Mayor Trey Gunn adjourned the meeting. No further public action was taken.
Votes at a glance - Inserta valve (Eagle Pipe and Supply, $23,960): motion carried unanimously. - Youth football uniforms (Apex Athletic Apparel): motion carried unanimously. - Eagle Car Wash expansion (additional bay and facelift): motion carried unanimously. - Mid‑South Meter building (102 Indian Creek Drive): denied unanimously (architectural requirements). - Town Mart building permit (131 Hwy 469 North): approved unanimously. - Hemphill Construction Pay Request #8 (sanitary sewer additions): $20,200 — approved unanimously. - A. J. Construction Pay Request #1 (Eagle Post Road overlay): $706,950.53 — approved unanimously. - Butler Snow LLP payment (continuing disclosure): $3,000 — approved unanimously. - Mid‑month claims docket and minutes of July 1, 2025: approved unanimously. - Executive session to consider police personnel: approved unanimously; in executive session the board accepted two resignations and approved hiring a new patrolman.
What’s next The City Engineer will coordinate with the Mississippi Department of Transportation on timing for a turn lane related to the Cal‑Mar project on Highway 469. The hire of Canyon Bilbro is contingent on satisfactory background and drug/alcohol screening and is scheduled to begin July 17, 2025.
