Florence board adopts 31.2-mill tax levy, OKs Hwy. 49 sewer design and routine expenditures

Mayor Trey Gunn and the Florence Mayor and Board on Sept. 2 unanimously adopted a general fund tax levy of 31.2 mills for fiscal year Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026, and approved a series of routine motions including authorization for sewer design work and payments tied to parks and police operations.

The board opened a public hearing on the proposed FY2026 budget and tax levies and, hearing no public comment, closed the hearing before returning to regular business. Alderman Brian Grantham sponsored the tax-levy resolution and Alderman John Banks seconded it; the minutes record each alderman voting “Aye.” The resolution allocates 14.28% of the levy to debt service.

Members also moved forward on infrastructure planning. On recommendation of City Engineer Tim Parker, Alderman John Banks moved and Alderman Brent Sistrunk seconded a motion authorizing Engineering Service/City Engineer Tim Parker to begin the design phase for the Hwy. 49 sewer project; the motion carried unanimously. The minutes record a nearly identical authorization later in the docket, indicating the board approved design work for the Hwy. 49 North sewer corridor as well.

On public-safety and maintenance items, the board ratified Chief Burns’s recommendation to approve Coleman Taylor Transmission estimate #511678 to repair the transmission on a police Ford Explorer (VIN 1FM5K8AR3BGA79478) for $5,665.44, the lower of two quotes (A-1 Gear & Auto quoted $5,952.80). The motion was made by Alderman John Banks and seconded by Alderman Brent Sistrunk and carried unanimously.

Parks spending included two payments to the Rankin County Football League for 2025 referee fees: $3,142.00 for tackle football and $1,058.75 for flag football, both approved on Park Director Mark Hester’s recommendation.

The board also approved several administrative and planning items: a motion authorizing Mayor Trey Gunn to work with Hometown Magazine on a city promotional brochure (mover: Alderman Mason Herrin; seconder: Alderman John Banks), and a motion to enter into an agreement with the Central Mississippi Planning & Development District (CMPDD) to update the city’s Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (mover: Alderman Brian Grantham; seconder: Alderman John Banks). The board rescinded a previously scheduled Sept. 16 public hearing on a variance request from Mid-South Meter & Regulator.

The claims docket and the minutes of Aug. 19, 2025 were approved by unanimous vote. Mayor Trey Gunn adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution adopting FY2026 tax levy (31.2 mills; 14.28% to debt service): Passed. Recorded votes: Alderman John Banks — Aye; Alderman Brian Grantham — Aye; Alderman Mason Herrin — Aye; Alderman Kyle Martin — Aye; Alderman Brent Sistrunk — Aye.

- Ratify police vehicle transmission repair (Coleman Taylor Transmission estimate #511678, $5,665.44): Passed (unanimous). Motion by Alderman John Banks; second Alderman Brent Sistrunk.

- Rankin County Football League referee fees — Tackle $3,142.00; Flag $1,058.75: Passed (unanimous). Recommendation by Park Director Mark Hester.

- Authorize Engineering Service/City Engineer to begin design phase for Hwy. 49 sewer project: Passed (unanimous). Motion by Alderman John Banks; second Alderman Brent Sistrunk.

- Authorize mayor to work with Hometown Magazine on promotional brochure: Passed (unanimous). Motion by Alderman Mason Herrin; second Alderman John Banks.

- Agreement with CMPDD to update Hazard Mitigation Plan: Passed (unanimous). Motion by Alderman Brian Grantham; second Alderman John Banks.

What’s next

The board’s authorization sends the Hwy. 49 sewer design into the engineering phase and moves the CMPDD hazard-plan update toward formal drafting. No votes or public testimony were recorded on the proposed budget or tax levy during the hearing; the adopted levy will apply for the FY beginning Oct. 1, 2025.