Florence board approves water-tank repurpose work, zoning corrections, insurance renewal and bans individual from city property

Mayor Trey Gunn and the Florence Board of Aldermen took several administrative and policy actions at their Nov. 4, 2025 meeting at City Hall, including authorizing work on a water-tank repurpose project, adopting technical corrections to city zoning ordinances and renewing employee health insurance.

The board voted to authorize Engineering Service to begin work repurposing the city’s elevated water tank after a Mississippi Department of Health inspection report prompted the action. Alderman Brent Sistrunk moved the measure and Alderman Mason Herrin seconded; the motion carried unanimously. The board did not specify an estimated project cost in the meeting record.

At the recommendation of Street Director David Myers, the board approved AJ Construction, Inc.’s $5,000 low bid to perform a 6-inch asphalt patch on Main Street. The board also approved an additional $1,730 (invoice #25-2510, Oct. 7, 2025) to locate and cap a 4-inch line at Main and Church streets. Both measures passed by unanimous vote.

Park Director Mark Hester’s recommendations carried as well: the board approved Brandon Concrete, LLC’s $4,500 quote to replace a damaged concrete pad at the community center and accepted a $5,542 quote from Nathanel Smith (transcript also lists the contractor as Nathaneal Smith) to supply and install fence slats on the north and south sides of the tennis courts. Both awards were recorded as the lowest of two quotes and were approved unanimously.

Following two public hearings held at the start of the meeting, Community Development Director Joel Sims presented written facts and findings for a dimensional variance request (Lot 140, Southern Oaks, Part 2) and for technical corrections to the zoning ordinances. The board granted the variance and later adopted an ordinance to make technical corrections to the zoning ordinances; the ordinance adoption was recorded with Aldermen Mason Herrin, Kyle Martin and Brent Sistrunk voting Aye and Aldermen John Banks and Brian Grantham absent.

On personnel and policy items, the board voted to renew employee health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi effective December 2025 and directed City Attorney Bobby Lingold to update the board order concerning the moratorium on used-car lots. The board also authorized Lingold to draft a moratorium limiting the number of service/gas stations and to update the city’s sick-leave policy to mirror state policy. The board directed the city attorney to work with the mayor on updating water and wastewater policies and fees. All of these directives carried by unanimous voice vote among members recorded as present.

The board approved the claims docket and the minutes of Oct. 21, 2025 by unanimous motions.

The meeting moved into executive session at 6:45 p.m. to discuss a police department personnel matter involving the dispatcher position. In executive session the board authorized City Attorney Bobby Lingold to send a letter from the mayor and board informing Michael C. Rayborn that he will no longer be allowed on the grounds of City Hall or Florence Police Department property. The executive-session motion was recorded as Aye from Aldermen Herrin, Martin and Sistrunk; Aldermen Banks and Grantham were absent. The board returned to regular session at 6:55 p.m., and Mayor Gunn adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance — key recorded outcomes and amounts approved included: approval of AJ Construction’s $5,000 asphalt patch; an additional $1,730 to locate and cap a water line; Brandon Concrete’s $4,500 pad replacement; a $5,542 fence-slats contract; grant of the Lot 140 dimensional variance; adoption of an ordinance to make technical zoning corrections (recorded Aye votes: Herrin, Martin, Sistrunk; Banks and Grantham absent); renewal of employee health insurance effective December 2025; and an executive-session authorization to ban Michael C. Rayborn from city hall and police department property.

The meeting record includes written facts and findings from Community Development Director Joel Sims that were incorporated into motions regarding the variance and zoning corrections. The board did not record public comments in either public hearing. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.