Picayune City Council approves budget amendments, leases, equipment purchases and event sponsorships

The Picayune City Council on Nov. 4 approved a bundle of routine administrative and procurement items by voice vote.

Council approved budget amendments that moved donated funds for 'Christmas in the Oaks' into the current budget, shifted funds from rental to purchase of public‑works uniforms, and budgeted proceeds from a police auction so departments can spend them. Finance staff said most of the amendments covered money already in hand; the airport project required a time‑sensitive budget transfer for clearing within an easement.

The council renewed a rails lease with Heritage Plastics for another year at the same rent and approved an updated copier lease with RJ Young to add a color copier for finance, noting both are on state contract.

Council authorized solicitation of sponsorships for the city's annual 'Christmas on the Rails' event and accepted a $2,500 sponsorship from Bindelwald Maintenance for the Dec. 6 event.

On public‑works procurement, council awarded the low bid for a new street sweeper to Covington Sales and Service for $258,500 through a municipal reverse auction. The council also awarded a dump truck contract to Old River of New Orleans for $115,595 through the same process. Staff said the replaced dump truck will be posted for auction at a later date. Separately, the council approved a $29,375 contract with Holiday Construction for clearing and grubbing in the aviation hazard easement.

Most motions were made and seconded by council members identified during the meeting (for example, motions by Councilwoman Turney and Councilwoman Stevens with seconds by Councilman Hickman were recorded in the transcript), and each item was approved on a voice vote.

Next administrative items scheduled for follow‑up are contract signatures and monitoring delivery schedules for equipment with multi‑week lead times.