Florence board approves multiple staff training trips, covers registration fees

The Florence mayor and board on April 21 approved several staff training and conference attendances, authorizing the city to pay registration fees and allowable related costs.

Alderman Banks moved, and Alderman Herrin seconded, a motion to send Chief Brad Burns to the Mississippi Association Chiefs of Police Summer Conference in Biloxi, June 16–19, 2026, with the city paying the $275 registration fee and related costs “as allowed by state law.” That motion carried unanimously. The board also approved sending Public Works Operator Billy Russell and maintenance worker Ethan Peden to the Mississippi Rural Water Association Backflow Prevention Certification class in Pearl, Aug. 17–20, 2026, at $550 each; and Russell to the MSRWA Annual Management & Technical Conference in Biloxi, May 26–29, 2026, at a $300 registration fee.

Separately, the board approved sending Mayor Assistant/Police Officer Richard Thomas and Community Development Director Joel Sims to the 2026 Summer MACE Educational Conference in Biloxi, Aug. 11–14, 2026, with a $200 registration fee per attendee. All motions passed by unanimous vote. The approvals were presented during the meeting on recommendation of department leaders and were recorded in the board minutes.