Florence board approves emergency water repairs, pump rebuilds and hires part-time officer

The Florence mayor and board on Aug. 5 approved a series of routine and emergency actions, including payment for emergency water repairs, a sole-source pump rebuild at a lift station, multiple business sign and exterior approvals, a budget amendment and the hiring of a part-time police officer following executive session.

Mayor Gunn presided and announced a quorum. On the recommendation of Police Chief Brad Burns, the board approved sending Tac-Officer Dee McCrory to a communications training course on Aug. 20–21, 2025, in Mendenhall, Mississippi; the city will pay a $300 registration fee and related costs as allowed by state law (motion by Alderman John Banks; second by Alderman Kyle Martin).

The board unanimously approved payment of invoice M25017-F for $6,434.15 to cover emergency repairs to a leaking gate valve at Church Street and Main Street, a measure described as necessary to restore water service (motion by Alderman John Banks; second by Alderman Kyle Martin). The board also approved a $12,243.07 payment to Cooper Electric Motor & Pump Sales & Service to rebuild two submersible pumps at the lift station near Jerry's Fish House on Hwy. 49; the rebuild was described as a sole-source item (motion by Alderman John Banks; second by Alderman Brian Grantham).

Community Development Director Joel Sims recommended and the board approved signage for Rankin Rowdies (owner Sunny Duhnna) at 15 Jackson Circle as submitted by Chris Davis Lighting Company, Inc., and an exterior update for Eagle Car Wash at 106 Crosspark Blvd., submitted by Munn Signs (motions carried unanimously).

City Engineer Tim Parker recommended authorizing Mayor Gunn to sign the Eagle Post Road Overlay Supplemental Agreement 01 (Project No. STP-7073-00(001)), which the board approved unanimously. Parker also recommended the board direct the mayor to sign a stop-work order for Thompson Brothers Drilling, Inc., effective July 23, 2025; that action was adopted unanimously.

On administrative business, City Clerk Linda Wigley presented Budget Amendment #2 for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025; Alderman Brian Grantham moved to approve, seconded by Alderman John Banks, and the motion carried unanimously. The board also approved placing a $239 'Good Luck Eagles' ad in the Rankin County News and authorized sending members of the governing authorities and the deputy city clerk to the Small-Town Conference in Philadelphia, MS (registration $125 each).

The board adopted a board order amending a July 1 motion by striking the phrase 'full-time position' from the description of the mayor's office, a change moved by Alderman John Banks and adopted with recorded ayes from the five aldermen. The board also adopted a resolution supporting the Steens's Creek Landing project and the city's intent to partner with Rankin First and Rankin County on needed public infrastructure (motion by Alderman Mason Herrin; second by Alderman Brian Grantham). Both votes were recorded as ayes by the aldermen present.

During an executive session to discuss a police personnel matter, and on Chief Burns' recommendation, the board voted in executive session to hire Hayden Lukens as a part-time police officer at $20.00 per hour, starting Aug. 11, 2025, pending a successful background check and drug/alcohol testing; the motion was moved by Alderman Brian Grantham and seconded by Alderman John Banks, with recorded ayes by the aldermen. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance — key motions and outcomes included: approval of invoice M25017-F ($6,434.15) for emergency water repairs (unanimous); payment to Cooper Electric Motor & Pump Sales & Service for pump rebuilds ($12,243.07) (unanimous); approval of Rankin Rowdies signage and Eagle Car Wash exterior update (unanimous); authorization for mayor to sign Eagle Post Road overlay supplemental agreement (Project No. STP-7073-00(001)) (unanimous); direction to sign Thompson Brothers Drilling, Inc. stop-work order effective July 23, 2025 (unanimous); adoption of Budget Amendment #2 FYE 09/30/2025 (unanimous); adoption of a board order amending language about the mayor's 'full-time' phrasing (recorded ayes); adoption of a resolution supporting Steens's Creek Landing project (recorded ayes); approval of claims docket (unanimous); approval of July 15, 2025 minutes (Carried; Alderman Brian Grantham recorded as abstaining); hire of Hayden Lukens as a part-time police officer (executive session; recorded ayes).

The actions taken affect city operations (water and sewer infrastructure, street project documents, and police staffing) and signal the board's support for local economic development via the Steens's Creek Landing resolution. The city posted the work session agenda on July 30, 2025, and the regular meeting agenda on July 31, 2025.