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Florence Mayor and Board adopt 31.2-mill tax levy, authorize Hwy. 49 sewer design and routine payments
Summary
At its Sept. 2 meeting, the Florence Mayor and Board adopted a 31.2-mill general fund tax levy for fiscal year 2026, authorized design work on the Hwy. 49 sewer project, approved an agreement to update the hazard mitigation plan, and ratified routine payments and a vehicle repair.
The Florence Mayor and Board voted on several routine administrative items at their Sept. 2, 2025 meeting, adopting a 31.2-mill general fund tax levy for fiscal year 2026 and approving a set of motions that included authorizing design work on the Hwy. 49 sewer project and ratifying a police vehicle transmission repair.
Mayor Trey Gunn opened the meeting, announced a quorum and closed the floor to a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax levies after no one from the public spoke. The board then moved through consent and new-business items.
On a motion by Alderman Brian Grantham, seconded by Alderman John Banks, the board adopted a resolution setting the general fund tax levy for fiscal year 2026 at 31.2 mills. The resolution specifies that 14.28% of the levy will be allocated for debt service. The motion carried with the recorded votes in the minutes showing Aldermen John Banks, Brian Grantham, Mason Herrin, Kyle Martin and Brent Sistrunk voting "Aye." (The minutes do not record a separate mayoral vote.)
Chief Burns recommended ratifying Coleman Taylor Transmission estimate #511678 to repair the transmission on a police Ford Explorer (VIN 1FM5K8AR3BGA79478). Alderman John Banks moved to ratify the $5,665.44 estimate (the lower of two quotes; A-1 Gear & Auto quoted $5,952.80); Alderman Brent Sistrunk seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Park Director Mark Hester presented two items to cover referee fees for 2025 youth football. The board approved $3,142.00 for tackle referees (motion by Alderman Banks; seconded by Alderman Brian Grantham) and $1,058.75 for flag referees (motion by Alderman Mason Herrin; seconded by Alderman Kyle Martin). Both motions carried unanimously.
On the recommendation of the city engineer, the board twice authorized engineering services to begin the design phase for the Hwy. 49 sewer project (motions moved by Alderman John Banks and seconded by Alderman Brent Sistrunk); both motions carried unanimously.
Alderman Mason Herrin briefly left the meeting and was later invited to return; the minutes note he did not participate in deliberations during his absence.
The board also voted to rescind a previously scheduled public hearing on a variance request for Mid-South Meter & Regulator that had been set for Sept. 16, 2025 (motion by Alderman Brian Grantham; seconded by Alderman Mason Herrin), and authorized Mayor Gunn to work with Hometown Magazine to develop a promotional brochure for the city (motion by Alderman Mason Herrin; seconded by Alderman John Banks). Both motions carried unanimously.
Alderman Brian Grantham moved, and Alderman John Banks seconded, to enter into an agreement with the Central Mississippi Planning & Development District (CMPDD) to update Florence's hazard mitigation plan in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000; the motion carried unanimously.
Finally, the board approved the claims docket and the minutes of the Aug. 19, 2025 meeting by unanimous votes and Mayor Trey Gunn adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Ratify police transmission repair (Coleman Taylor estimate #511678, $5,665.44): moved Alderman John Banks; second Brent Sistrunk; unanimous. - Pay Rankin County Football League, 2025 tackle referee fees ($3,142.00): moved Alderman John Banks; second Brian Grantham; unanimous. - Pay Rankin County Football League, 2025 flag referee fees ($1,058.75): moved Alderman Mason Herrin; second Kyle Martin; unanimous. - Authorize design phase, Hwy. 49 sewer project: moved Alderman John Banks; second Brent Sistrunk; unanimous. - Rescind public hearing for Mid-South Meter & Regulator (Sept. 16): moved Alderman Brian Grantham; second Mason Herrin; unanimous. - Authorize Hometown Magazine brochure for Florence: moved Alderman Mason Herrin; second John Banks; unanimous. - Agreement with CMPDD to update hazard mitigation plan: moved Alderman Brian Grantham; second John Banks; unanimous. - Adopt FYE 09/30/2026 tax levies (31.2 mills; 14.28% to debt service): moved Alderman Brian Grantham; second John Banks; recorded as all ayes in the minutes. - Approve claims docket and Aug. 19, 2025 minutes: unanimous.
The board's minutes list the motions, movers and seconders, and record unanimous votes for the motions taken. The minutes do not include extended public debate or direct quotations from speakers; actions were routine and procedural.
