Florence board adopts FY2026 budget, approves ALPR MOU and hemp retail ordinance; hires police officer

The Mayor and Board of the City of Florence met Sept. 16, 2025, and approved a range of municipal actions, including adoption of the fiscal-year 2026 proposed budget and salary schedule, authorization of a memorandum of understanding to place two automatic license-plate readers, and the adoption of an ordinance regulating retail hemp sales.

At the meeting called to order by Mayor Trey Gunn, the board voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Gunn to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Mississippi Department of Transportation Commission to place two Flock automatic license-plate readers in the city. The motion was made upon recommendation of Police Chief Burns and carried with recorded Aye votes from Aldermen John Banks, Brian Grantham, Mason Herrin, Kyle Martin and Brent Sistrunk.

The board approved a series of routine permits and contracts: Florence High School and Discovery Christian School were granted permission to hold homecoming parades on Sept. 23 and Oct. 3, respectively; a home-occupancy privilege license was authorized for B&B Septic (owner Michael Burkes) at 612 Lexington Drive; Lane Line, LLC was approved to stripe Lewis Street for $8,200; and Utility Constructors, Inc. was awarded a $7,845 contract to locate a leaking water service assembly at 714 Tatum Drive.

Park repairs at the Community Center—$4,800 to Brandon’s Concrete, LLC for floor repairs and $4,866 to Bowers Painting, Inc. for wall prep and painting—were approved. The board also authorized City Engineer Tim Parker to submit Transportation Alternatives applications for a Williams Road sidewalk and pedestrian bridge and adopted a resolution committing a 20% local match should the project be selected; the board certified no known legal impediments to completing the MDOT Transportation Alternatives project.

In other business, the board adopted the FYE 09/30/2026 proposed budget of revenues and expenses and the FYE 09/30/2026 salary schedule by recorded votes. The board adopted a resolution opposing public and private school choice programs that, according to the text of the resolution, would 'undermine public education.' The board approved a nonexclusive telecommunications franchise agreement with Contact Network, Inc., d/b/a In Line, and authorized the mayor to sign an amendment and renewal of the School Law Enforcement Officer agreement with Rankin County School District.

The board considered a personnel matter in the police department in executive session. While in executive session, upon recommendation of Chief Burns, the board voted to hire Antwan Gibson Sr. as a full-time police officer at $21.06 per hour, effective Sept. 17, 2025, pending a successful background check and drug and alcohol testing. Returning to open session, the board authorized City Attorney Bobby Lingold to notify Maintenance Systems, Inc. that the city is opting out of its contract with that vendor.

The meeting also included routine approvals of the mid-month claims docket and minutes of Sept. 2, 2025, and several smaller land-use and business-permit items, including approval for First Baptist Church to construct a van storage facility and permission for Carrie Ross to change the exterior paint color of The Glossary Salon at 123 Main Street. With no further business, Mayor Gunn adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.

The board’s formal actions at this meeting included multiple recorded votes and several authorizations that carry follow-up tasks: the Transportation Alternatives grant application requires submittal by the city engineer and, if selected, implementation with local matching funds; the telecommunication franchise and MOU require signatures by the mayor; and the police hire is contingent on background and drug/alcohol checks.