Aberdeen board suspends two officers, approves purchases and authorizes grant applications; tables $3M tax-exemption request

Aberdeen Mayor Johnny D. Stevens and the Board of Aldermen on March 17 temporarily suspended two police officers, approved several city purchases and authorized staff to apply for two recreation-related grants while tabling a large tax-exemption request.

The board suspended Aberdeen Police Officer Michael Crawford for three days without pay, March 23–25, 2026, and Officer Chaz Thompson for three days without pay, March 26–28, 2026, citing on‑duty misconduct. Both suspensions were approved on roll call votes recorded as unanimous at the meeting.

The board approved a series of purchase requisitions and payments covering public-works and utility needs: a $20,950 change order to install a 6-foot galvanized chain-link fence around a new water tank; Perma Corporation Pay Request No. 11 for $47,500 for ARPA-funded well-site improvements; B&H Tree Service invoices ($3,100 and $2,400) for removal of rotten trees; Holloway's Body Shop repair of a 2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor for $4,886.11; Mid-American Research purchase of sewer solvent and organic sewer aid for $1,402.50; Border States primary wire spool for $3,781.05; and Tesco meters and fees for $29,775.55. The board also approved a $3,009 payment to Raborn Media for visitor-bureau webhosting and related services to be paid from ARPA funds. Multiple motions on vendor payments were recorded with Alderman John Cain voting Nay on several items; other members voted Aye as noted in the official roll-call votes.

On legal and administrative matters the board approved payment of a $2,535 invoice from City Attorney Walter H. Zinn Jr.; that motion passed 4–1, with Alderman Cain casting the lone Nay. The board also approved a $24 refund to the city attorney to cover a returned-check fee tied to fraudulent activity on the Electric Department general fund (vote also 4–1).

The board unanimously authorized Mayor Stevens to submit an application and commit required matching funds for the Mississippi Recreational Trails Program (an 80/20 match) and to sign the governing resolution for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (50/50 match), with application deadlines and match percentages supplied at the meeting.

A resolution seeking a ten‑year exemption from ad valorem taxes for Westlake Chemicals & Vinyl, LLC — involving $3,030,296 in the request and a proposed start date of Jan. 1, 2026 — was formally TABLED by the board. The motion to table passed on a roll call vote as recorded.

The board appointed Ann Tackett to the Aberdeen Housing Authority Board and approved employee enhancements and travel for several staff to attend upcoming training and conferences, including a police chiefs conference and municipal liability/workers-compensation workshop.

During citizen input City Inspector Roy Haynes questioned parcels sold to Joseph Schrock, and Public Works Director Tohona Larthridge reminded residents to bag leaves to prevent clogged drains and noted grass-cutting season is underway. Earlier in the meeting Mayor Stevens presented certificates to Teresa Johnson Reid and Judy Carpenter for their work running free GED classes.

The meeting included a brief closed determination and an executive session to discuss the police personnel matters; the board returned to open session and resumed votes. Alderman Jeremy Belle briefly recused himself at 7:10 p.m.; the board then voted to adjourn to its next regular meeting on April 7, 2026.

The board recorded a small number of split votes on payments and invoices; where recorded, vote tallies and who moved/seconded motions were entered into the official minutes.