Eupora Mayor Blake McMullan broke a tie vote to approve the hiring of a new full-time police officer earlier this month.
Aldermen split 2-2 May 1 in a vote to hire Shaye Lynne Whittington to that position with the Eupora Police Department
This came after the board met in executive session for the purpose of personnel and possible litigation. Police Chief Lawrence Caradine and Whittington remained in the boardroom.
Returning to open session 25 minutes later, Ricky Newton (Ward 3) made a motion to hire Whittington as a full-time police officer at $15.33 an hour. Junior Shaw (Ward 1) seconded the motion.
Those two aldermen voted for the hire while Jerry Gary (at-large) and Billy Tabb (Ward 2) voted against. Robert Gibbs (Ward 4) was absent and McMullan broke the tie by voting in the affirmative.
Whittington was sworn in the next day.
Other Business
In Fire Department matters, the board voted to pay with accounts/payable an invoice for Fluent IMS for “Who’s Responding” annual subscription in the amount of $873 for the Fire Department.
Aldermen also voted to add Nathaniel McFarland to the full-time volunteer fire roster. Alderman Gary, whose son is the fire chief, abstained on both Fire Department items.
Under board business, aldermen approved the conveyance of certain real property in the city’s Industrial Park to Plymouth Tube Co. as described in Mississippi Legislature House Bill 1819.
City Attorney Joey Hood, who is also a state representative, authored that bill. It authorized the city to convey the property to Plymouth Tube without an appraisal. Hood explained that Plymouth Tube had conveyed the 8 acres in question to the city in the 1980s in connection with a bond issue. He said the property should have been conveyed back to Plymouth Tube after the bonds were paid off, but it never was.
The motion as approved, according to the unofficial minutes, was to authorize the conveyance and accept $50,000 from Plymouth Tube as payment with the company’s request for the funds to be used on walking tracks.
The board tabled a request for authorization to schedule informational ward meetings for city residents and provide refreshments not to exceed $200 a meeting.
The board accepted a Homeland Publishing police calendar donation in the amount of $1,288. The proceeds will be applied to materials and supplies.
The board tabled consideration of an updated policy and procedure manual for Police Department personnel.
Consented Items
The official agenda was approved including these consented items:
The April 3 regular meeting minutes, April 14 agenda work session minutes and April 17 recessed meeting minutes, and the claims docket.
Board Business:
1. Called for a public hearing to amend the city Floodplain Ordinance to maintain compliance with MEMA/FEMA requirements.
2. Rescinded the motion made at the Feb. 6 board meeting to purchase a 2023 Cat Skid Steer using Modernization Use Tax funds at the lowest quote of $71,77071
3. Approval of a final resolution granting Plymouth Tube an ad valorem tax exemption for a period of five years.
4. Authorized the city attorney to draft an interlocal agreement with the Webster County Board of Supervisors for street improvements in the city.
Police Department.
1. Authorization to declare seven Glock 30 firearms surplus and auction to the highest bidder on govdeals.com.
2. Authorization to advertise for requests for proposals for in-car cameras/audio, body cameras and license plate readers.
3. Authorization to advertise for requests for proposals for modern technology for the records management system, electronic citations and the court system.
Street Department:
Authorization to purchase a 2023 Cat Skid Steer Model 259D3 using Modernization Use Tax funds at the lowest quote of $74,900.
Water and Wastewater:
Calling for a public hearing on June 5 to amend the city Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance to increase the rate for reconnection fees from $30 to $100.
As reported in the May 5 issue, consented items also included setting the date for a special election/tourism tax vote, which will be July 18. That item also included a budget adjustment for election costs.
The board held a work session April 28 and was to have a recessed meeting May 15.
