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Florence board approves emergency water repairs, backs Steens Creek Landing project and hires part‑time officer
Summary
At its Aug. 5 meeting, the Florence mayor and board approved emergency water repairs and pump rebuilds, authorized road and stop‑work documents, adopted a resolution supporting the Steens Creek Landing industrial project, approved budget and advertising items, and in executive session hired a part‑time police officer pending background checks.
The Florence mayor and board approved several infrastructure and personnel actions at their Aug. 5, 2025 regular meeting at city hall, including payment for emergency water repairs, the rebuilding of two submersible pumps, authorization for a road overlay agreement and a stop‑work order for a contractor. In executive session the board approved hiring a part‑time police officer pending screening.
The meeting, called to order by Mayor Gunn, opened with routine items and multiple motions. On a recommendation from Chief Brad Burns, the board approved sending Tac‑Officer Dee McCrory to a Communications Training Class Aug. 20–21, 2025 in Mendenhall, with the city covering the $300 registration fee and related allowable costs. The board also approved payment of invoice M25017‑F for $6,434.15 to address emergency repairs to a leaking gate valve at Church and Main streets to restore water service.
Public‑works measures included authorization to pay Cooper Electric Motor & Pump Sales & Service $12,243.07 to rebuild two submersible pumps serving the lift station at Jerry's Fish House on Hwy. 49; the rebuild was recorded as a sole‑source purchase. City Engineer Tim Parker recommended the board authorize Mayor Gunn to sign the Eagle Post Road Overlay Supplemental Agreement 01 (Project No. STP‑7073‑00(001)), and the board approved the authorization. The board also approved directing Mayor Gunn to execute a stop‑work order for Thompson Brothers Drilling, Inc., effective July 23, 2025, as recommended by the city engineer.
On community development matters, the board approved signage for Rankin Rowdies (owner Sunny Duhnna) at 15 Jackson Circle as submitted by Chris Davis Lighting Company and an exterior update for Eagle Car Wash at 106 Crosspark Blvd. as submitted by Munn Signs.
Finance and administrative items included approval of Budget Amendment #2 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025, authorization to place a $239 "Good Luck Eagles" ad in the Rankin County News, and approval to send governing authorities and the deputy city clerk to the Small‑Town Conference in Philadelphia, MS with a $125 registration fee each. The board adopted a board order to amend a July 1 motion by striking the phrase "full‑time position" from language regarding the mayor’s office, citing reviewed Mississippi Attorney General opinions about the statutory designation of the office. The board also adopted a resolution supporting the Steens Creek Landing project and the city’s intent to partner with Rankin First and Rankin County on infrastructure needs including sewer and park signage.
The board considered an executive session to discuss a Police Department personnel matter and entered executive session at 6:50 p.m. While in executive session the board voted to hire Hayden Lukens as a part‑time police officer at $20.00 per hour, with an anticipated start date of Aug. 11, 2025, contingent on a successful background check and drug and alcohol testing. The board returned to regular session at 6:55 p.m. and adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Send Tac‑Officer Dee McCrory to communications training (registration $300): motion carried unanimously. • Approve emergency repair invoice M25017‑F, $6,434.15: motion carried unanimously. • Rebuild two submersible pumps (Cooper Electric), $12,243.07: motion carried unanimously. • Authorize Eagle Post Road Overlay Supplemental Agreement (STP‑7073‑00(001)): motion carried unanimously. • Authorize stop‑work order for Thompson Brothers Drilling, Inc. (effective July 23, 2025): motion carried unanimously. • Budget Amendment #2 FYE 9/30/2025: motion carried unanimously. • "Good Luck Eagles" ad ($239) and Small‑Town Conference registrations ($125 each): motions carried unanimously. • Board order amending July 1 motion on mayor position (strike "full‑time position"): carried (Aye: John Banks, Brian Grantham, Mason Herrin, Kyle Martin, Brent Sistrunk). • Resolution supporting Steens Creek Landing project: carried (Aye: Banks, Grantham, Herrin, Martin, Sistrunk). • Approval of claims docket: carried unanimously. • Approval of minutes of July 15, 2025: carried (Alderman Brian Grantham recorded as abstaining). • Hire Hayden Lukens as part‑time police officer ($20/hr), contingent on screening: carried (recorded as unanimous in executive session).
The board had no further business and Mayor Gunn adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
