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Florence mayor and board approve permits, vendor payments and police staffing changes
Summary
At its July 15 meeting the Florence mayor and board approved multiple building permits and vendor payments, denied a commercial building for Mid-South Meter, and accepted two police resignations while hiring a patrolman effective July 17, 2025.
Mayor Trey Gunn and the Florence board of aldermen approved a package of permits, construction payments and personnel actions during their July 15, 2025 meeting at City Hall.
The board unanimously approved purchase and payment items including a $23,960.00 inserta valve for the City Hall water well, a $20,200.00 pay request to Hemphill Construction Company for the Hwy. 49–Eagle Post Road sanitary sewer additions Phase II, and Pay Request #1 to A. J. Construction, Inc. for $706,950.53 for the Eagle Post Road overlay project. The board also approved a $3,000.00 payment to Butler Snow, LLP, for continuing disclosure work related to the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024.
Community Development Director Joel Sims recommended and the board approved a façade update and additional bay at Eagle Car Wash and issued a building permit for a Town Mart convenience store at 131 Hwy. 469 North. Conversely, the board denied Perry Goode’s request for a new Mid-South Meter building at 102 Indian Creek Drive after finding the proposed design did not meet the city’s architectural requirements.
Park Director Mark Hester recommended purchasing tackle and flag football jerseys; the board accepted Apex Athletic Apparel’s low quote (tackle $28.00 per child; flag $13.00 per child). The board also directed City Engineer Tim Parker to coordinate timing with the Mississippi Department of Transportation on the Hwy. 469 widening and a turn-lane for the Cal‑Mar project.
In executive session the board, on the recommendation of Police Chief Burns, accepted the resignations of Officer Cody Parfait and Officer David Dear, both effective July 9, 2025. The board voted to hire Canyon Bilbro as a full‑time patrolman at $21.06 per hour, beginning July 17, 2025, pending a successful background check and drug and alcohol testing.
Votes at a glance • Inserta valve (City Hall well): Eagle Pipe and Supply quote $23,960.00 — approved (unanimous). • Athletic jerseys (Apex Athletic Apparel): Tackle $28.00 per child; flag $13.00 per child — approved (unanimous). • Eagle Car Wash expansion and facelift — approved (unanimous). • Mid‑South Meter new building (102 Indian Creek Drive): denied (unanimous). • Town Mart building permit (131 Hwy. 469 North): approved (unanimous). • MDOT coordination for Hwy. 469 turn lane: directed City Engineer to coordinate — approved (unanimous). • G&G Tractor power pole: approved (unanimous). • Hemphill Construction Pay Request #8: $20,200.00 — approved (unanimous). • A. J. Construction Pay Request #1 (Overlay): $706,950.53 — approved (unanimous). • Butler Snow payment (continuing disclosure): $3,000.00 — approved (unanimous). • Mid‑month claims docket: approved (unanimous). • Minutes of July 1, 2025: approved (unanimous). • Executive session personnel actions: resignations accepted; hire approved (recorded aye votes in minutes).
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m.; the board convened an executive session at 7:05 p.m. to discuss police department personnel and returned to regular session at 7:15 p.m. Mayor Gunn then adjourned the meeting. City Clerk Linda Wigley processed the meeting records and filings.
