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Florence board approves vendor payments, hires police officer and adopts 2026 tax levy
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting the Florence mayor and board approved multiple Maintenance Systems invoices, authorized a $40,000 contract to update the city comprehensive plan (city share $12,000), hired a police officer in executive session, approved sale of a service sidearm to a retiring officer, and adopted a 2026 tax levy of 31.2 mills.
The Florence mayor and board on Aug. 19 approved payments to a contractor, authorized a planning contract, hired a police officer and adopted the city’s 2026 tax levy.
Mayor Trey Gunn convened the meeting and Alderman John Banks gave the invocation before the board took action on routine and substantive items. The board unanimously approved three invoices from Maintenance Systems, Inc.: $13,618.95 for exploratory digging and a 4-inch insertion valve, $8,281.27 for backflow-preventer modifications, and $7,467.16 for excavation and assistance with 6-inch and 12-inch insertion valves.
The board authorized a $40,000 contract with the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District to develop a new comprehensive plan, with $28,000 provided by CMPDD grant funds and the city’s not-to-exceed share listed at $12,000. The motion was made by Alderman Grantham and seconded by Alderman Herrin; it passed unanimously.
Also on the consent-style calendar, the board approved the mid-month claims docket and the minutes of the Aug. 5 meeting. The board voted to send Community Development Director Joel Sims to the Building Officials Association of Mississippi Winter Conference (Dec. 3–5, 2025) with the city paying a $250 registration fee and allowable related expenses. Separately, the board authorized Mayor Gunn to sign a letter asking the Mississippi Department of Transportation to release contractor AJ Construction, Inc. from maintenance obligations and to sign current and future MDOT reimbursement forms, following a recommendation from City Engineer Tim Parker.
The board moved into executive session to discuss a police personnel matter. In executive session, the board approved hiring Dewan Stapleton as a full-time police officer at $21.06 per hour, effective Aug. 20, 2025, contingent on a successful background check and drug/alcohol testing; the recorded votes in executive session show each alderman voting Aye. After returning to open session, the board approved, under Section 45-9-191 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, an offer allowing retiring Officer John Denton to purchase a city-issued Glock 17 (serial # BHBU266) for $1.00 in recognition of his retirement.
At a subsequent regular meeting the board adopted a 2026 tax levy resolution setting the general fund levy at 31.2 mills, with 14.28% of that levy allocated to debt service.
The meeting concluded with adjournment at 6:55 p.m. The board voted unanimously on the motions recorded in the minutes; no votes failed or were recorded as abstentions.
