Pecan City Council approves budget amendment, schedules three TIF public hearings and accepts Home Depot donation

The Pecan City Council on July 1 approved a set of budget amendments and several routine procurement and grant-backed purchases, authorized public hearings for three proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) districts and accepted a $20,000 donation from the Home Depot Foundation.

Mayor (speaker 2) opened the meeting and recognized Home Depot volunteers for work at recent community and veterans events. "We have won 12 state awards for planning and economic development, public safety, city spirit…so we're proud of that," the mayor said, praising staff and volunteers and noting the public-safety award will be presented at an upcoming luncheon.

The council unanimously approved a grouped budget-amendment package described in the staff "green sheet," which staff said aggregates salary-related adjustments across multiple fund lines so departments remain in the black through the end of the fiscal year. Staff explained the aggregated approach covers salaries, FICA and related lines; when asked about emergency needs staff said reclassification within a fund-series can be used without a formal amendment.

On appointments, the council named Mister Breeland as the city's voting delegate to the Mississippi Municipal League and selected Councilwoman Stevens as the alternate.

The council authorized resolutions to set public hearings and publish legal notices in the Picayune for three separate TIF plans: the Highland Parkway/frontage-road project, the Exit 10 project and the Bridal Creek Investments project. City staff and the city attorney explained each district requires a separate notice and that approval on July 1 only authorizes public notification ahead of the July 15 public hearing, after which draft plans and maps will be made available for public review.

Grant administration staff presented and the council accepted a $20,000 donation from the Home Depot Foundation to support city projects. "We appreciate that quick response," the mayor said when moving acceptance of the donation.

Code enforcement asked the council to set a public hearing in August 2025 for property-cleanup actions in the Wood Oaks subdivision, where staff said an out-of-state developer abandoned work on 12 lots, leaving unfinished frames and red-clay runoff into city drains; the council approved the hearing.

Infrastructure and procurement actions included the council's approval of a preliminary-design engineering agreement with Duncan Engineering for the Highway 43 sidewalk project (US 11 to Highland Parkway), the award of a $15,695 contract to Powell Construction Services Inc. to replace brittle span-mounted traffic signals with new LED units at Memorial Boulevard and Telly Road, and acceptance of a $6,200 quote from Water Depot LLC for fluoride supply for the city's water system. Staff said fluoride has been used for decades for dental health and that, per state rules, the city must continue the treatment unless it notifies the state to stop.

Parks and procurement items approved included a purchase of 10 pallets of Saint Augustine sod ($4,800) and park benches at $8,820 from Magcor Prison Industries after staff noted certain online quotes do not meet state comparability rules for purchases above statutory thresholds.

Public-safety officials explained a grant-backed procurement for self-contained-breathing-apparatus (SCBA) equipment. The fire-department representative said a reverse-auction process produced a low bid from Emergency Equipment Professionals for $138,633.43 to provide 14 air packs, 28 bottles and 25 face pieces to replace aging SCBAs; the council approved the award and noted the purchase is covered largely by an 80/20 grant arrangement.

Council members used the miscellaneous-business portion of the agenda to thank staff for the July 4 preparations, ask about mosquito-spraying schedules and request updates on a skate-park state approval and a proposed "baby box" fundraising effort. A resident offered a public thank-you to staff before the council moved into a closed executive session to consider a personnel/legal matter and then adjourned.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda and docket approved (voice vote); budget amendments approved; MML delegate and alternate appointed; public-notice resolutions for the three TIF plans approved; Home Depot donation accepted; Wood Oaks cleanup hearing set for August 2025; Duncan Engineering agreement approved; Powell Construction signal replacement contract awarded ($15,695); Water Depot fluoride purchase approved ($6,200); Hunter Yoke gutters ($3,800) and Hunter Gill sod ($4,800) approved; Magcor park benches awarded ($8,820); emergency equipment award approved ($138,633.43); motion to enter closed session approved.

The council adjourned after approving a motion to go into executive session; staff said draft TIF plans and materials will be available for public review ahead of the July 15 hearings.