Florence board approves vehicle financing, multiple public-works contracts and a board order on building fees; sets Nov. 4 hearings

The Mayor and Board of the City of Florence voted unanimously Oct. 7 to approve financing, several contracts and a board order, and to schedule two public hearings for Nov. 4, the minutes show.

Mayor Trey Gunn announced a quorum at 6:30 p.m. and the board first accepted Community Bank's 4.00% lease-purchase quote as the low bid to finance new police vehicles. The motion to accept the quote was made by Alderman Mason Herrin and seconded by Alderman Grantham. The board then authorized Mayor Gunn to execute the lease-purchase agreement with Community Bank, pending review by City Attorney Bobby Lingold.

The board approved several public-works and parks contracts on department recommendations. Street Director/Public Works David Myers recommended awarding Delta Constructors, Inc. $22,750 for water-main improvements at White Street, Main Street and Seventh Day Road after receiving two quotes. Park Director Mark Hester recommended Bowers Painting, Inc.'s $23,900 bid to remove and replace flooring at the Community Center, and a separate purchase of a 2024 F-150 crew-cab pick-up from Pine Belt Auto Group at $46,155. Each award was moved and seconded by board members and carried by unanimous vote.

City Engineer Tim Parker presented pay requests and a contract change order tied to roadway and sanitary-sewer work. The board approved Pay Request #2 from A.J. Construction for $60,116.03 for the Eagle Post Road overlay LPA project and later approved Pay Request #1 from Thornton Construction Company, Inc. for $131,230.53 and Thornton's Contract Change Order No. 1 for $60,298.67 related to the MCWI sanitary sewer additions, Phase 3. The minutes note Alderman Herrin briefly left the meeting; the two Thornton votes were recorded as carried unanimously during his absence and he was later invited to return, having not participated in those interim deliberations.

Administrative actions included authorizing Mayor Gunn and City Clerk Linda Wigley to sign the municipal compliance questionnaire for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025, and approving placing an ad in the Rankin County News to advertise for a water/sewer supervisor. The board also set two public hearings for Nov. 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.: one to consider a variance request from Russell Hickey Jr. for property at 609 Southern Oaks Drive, and another to consider technical corrections to the city zoning ordinances.

On legal and regulatory matters, City Attorney Bobby Lingold recommended and the board adopted a Board Order amending building permit and inspection fees for the City of Florence. The board also approved the claims docket and minutes of Sept. 16, 2025. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Lease-purchase financing for police vehicles (Community Bank 4.00%): motion by Alderman Herrin; second Alderman Grantham; carried unanimously of members present. - Authorize Mayor to execute lease agreement (pending attorney approval): motion by Alderman Martin; second Alderman Sistrunk; carried unanimously. - Water main improvements contract (Delta Constructors, Inc., $22,750): motion by Alderman Martin; second Alderman Sistrunk; carried unanimously. - Community Center flooring (Bowers Painting, Inc., $23,900): motion by Alderman Sistrunk; second Alderman Martin; carried unanimously. - Purchase 2024 F-150 (Pine Belt Auto Group, $46,155): motion by Alderman Martin; second Alderman Sistrunk; carried unanimously. - Pay Request #2 (A.J. Construction, $60,116.03): motion by Alderman Grantham; second Alderman Sistrunk; carried unanimously. - Pay Request #1 (Thornton Construction, $131,230.53): motion by Alderman Grantham; second Alderman Sistrunk; carried unanimously (Herrin absent). - Thornton Construction Contract Change Order No.1 ($60,298.67): motion by Alderman Sistrunk; second Alderman Martin; carried unanimously (Herrin absent). - Municipal Compliance Questionnaire signing: motion by Alderman Sistrunk; second Alderman Martin; carried unanimously. - Advertise for water/sewer supervisor: motion by Alderman Martin; second Alderman Herrin; carried unanimously. - Set public hearing for Hickey variance (Nov. 4, 2025): motion by Alderman Grantham; second Alderman Sistrunk; carried unanimously. - Set public hearing for zoning technical corrections (Nov. 4, 2025): motion by Alderman Martin; second Alderman Herrin; carried unanimously. - Board Order amending building permit and inspection fees: motion by Alderman Grantham; second Alderman Herrin; carried unanimously. - Claims docket and Sept. 16 minutes approved: motions carried unanimously.

What the actions mean: Most approvals were routine procurement or project-pay-authority measures that allow the city to proceed with scheduled infrastructure and facilities work. The two Nov. 4 public hearings are the next formal opportunities for public input on a property variance and zoning ordinance corrections.

The board did not take votes that change policy beyond the adopted building-fee board order; several items directed staff to proceed with purchases and contract payments. The board adjourned with no further business.