Southaven City Council Regular Meeting – July 7, 2026
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Southaven City Council Regular Meeting – July 7, 2026
The Southaven Board of Aldermen met on July 7, 2026, to discuss the parks enhancement plan, approve multiple routine items, and swear in a new fire chief. The meeting was called to order with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes from the June 16 and June 25, 2026 meetings.
- Unanimously authorized seeking bids for Snowden Grove overhead arch signs (three locations) using remaining funds from the 2022 parks plan.
- Approved an amendment to the employee handbook to include hair follicle drug testing for law enforcement officers in accordance with new Mississippi law (Sections 45-6-16 and 45-6-17).
- Approved a revised lease with the GSA for the FBI office, adding an anti-DEI statement per President Trump's executive order; no changes to lease terms.
- Granted a motor vehicle for hire permit to RCM Works Elite Luxury Treatment (Karen Johnson).
- Granted a motor vehicle for hire permit to RCM Works Elite Luxury Transport (Karen Johnson).
- Approved a contract amendment with Premier Lawn and Turf for maintenance of Nell Road islands (24 visits/year at $2,257/month, revised from a higher amount). The amendment was previously tabled and then brought off the table.
- Authorized the surplus of wrecked or unserviceable police department vehicles.
- Adopted a resolution to clean private properties as presented.
- Approved the personnel docket as presented.
- Authorized a purchase and maintenance agreement for a printer for the Parks Department ($6,895).
- Approved the utilities billing leak adjustment docket.
- Approved the claims docket in the amount of $3,227,342.62.
- Approved a motion to enter executive session for specific legal and personnel matters.
Discussion Items
- Parks Enhancement Plan (Indoor Tennis): The mayor presented a proposal to prioritize indoor tennis courts at Snowden Grove Park as the next major parks investment, funded by tourism tax revenue projected at $13.75 million through 2030. The city has experienced rapid growth in tennis participation since 2016, becoming the state's top tennis complex in 2024. The mayor cited benefits: 365-day revenue stream, tournament capabilities, youth development, and economic attraction. Alderman Payne advocated for 12 courts instead of 6 to surpass regional competitors and set a regional standard. Alderman Wheeler supported moving forward with the nets at Snowden and Greenbrook (LED lighting) first, as originally prioritized. The mayor noted liability concerns with a proposed dog park near a children's playground, but said a dog park could still be pursued elsewhere. No action was taken; the board agreed to revisit the issue on a future agenda with updated cost estimates.
- Property Maintenance Code Amendment: The mayor introduced a proposed addition to the city's blighted property violations: ban on broken blinds, sheets, foil, or other non-manufactured window coverings visible from the street. The mayor emphasized this was for discussion only, noting the item negatively impacts curb appeal and can signal drug activity. The board discussed and decided to consider it further at a later meeting.
Key Outcomes
- New Fire Chief Trey Bledsoe was sworn in. He joined the fire department in 1999 and rose through the ranks.
- The planning agenda included unanimous approval of a design review application for DeSoto District LLC (coffee shop and bank near Silas Square) and vacation of a portion of Two Lane Road (approx. half-mile, 80-foot wide) to be split between the city and Duke Energy, effective August 1, 2026.
- The mayor reported on the successful Disney Dean World Series and the Mississippi Municipal League Conference.
- Several items were approved without debate: personnel docket, printer purchase, utility adjustments, and claims docket.
Next Steps
- The board will consider updated cost estimates for indoor tennis (including option for 12 courts) and other parks priorities (dog park, fencing/netting) at a future meeting.
- The property maintenance code amendment will be discussed further before any formal action.
Meeting Transcript
Everyone, I'm now calling this meeting to order. Please stand with us. We'll be led in prayer by Alderman Gallagher. Please remain standing after that for the Pledge of Allegiance. It'll be led by Alderman at large, George Payne. Heavenly Father Lord, we just uh thank you that you're uh wise God, Lord Jesus, and that your word says that if we'll ask, you will give wisdom to us, Lord. So we ask you right now to give us wisdom during our meeting, help us to make decisions that would make you happy and everything that we say and think and do. That our BR let our minds be on you. In your name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. First on the agenda this evening is the approval of minutes for both the June 16 2026 meeting and the June 25, 2026 meeting. So move. Second. We have a motion. Alterman Hoot, second waterman Jerome. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, roll call. Other than Payne. Yes. Altman Higgs. Yes. Otterman Jerome. Yes. Alterman Gallagher? Yes. Yes. Yes. No motion carries. Next on our agenda, we have the privilege of swearing in our new fire chief, uh, Mr. Trey Bledsoe. Uh there'll be a public uh press release that goes out tomorrow. Uh but we'll do the swearing in tonight. I'm gonna welcome his family. Looks like you brought a good crew with you, and uh, but it's a special day, and uh it's it's a huge thing to be promoted uh to the top position in a department uh like the fire department. That's it's a it's a huge honor, and so I hope this day is special for both Trey and his family. Um but Trey, you know, just a quick summary, joined the Salem Fire Department in 1999 and uh moved up all the ranks. He's a highly respected, highly regarded uh member of our team, so we're proud to swear him in tonight. So uh Chief, let's come forward and let's let's swear you in, make it official. Thanks for being right hand up. You'll just insert aye. Aye. Trade blood so trade blood so do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully support the Constitution of the United States. And I will faithfully support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the State of Mississippi and the Constitution of the State of Mississippi. And obey the laws thereof. And obey the laws thereof. That I'm not disqualified. That I'm not disqualified.
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