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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Southaven City Board Meeting - October 20, 2026

Mayor and Board of Aldermen — Tuesday, October 20, 2026

BodySouthaven, Mississippi

SessionMayor and Board of Aldermen

DateTuesday, October 20, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 38:12

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

5:54

Please stand with us.

5:55

We'll be led in prayer by Alderman Gallagher.

5:57

Please remain standing after that for the Pledge of Allegiance that will be led by Alderman at Lord's George Payne.

Speaker 2

6:06

Heavenly Father, we welcome you here once again, Lord.

6:10

So that we would do your will in all things that we do, Lord.

6:13

Lord, I want to pray for uh the wars that are going on, Lord.

6:18

Um you know uh what needs to be done, Lord, and we just pray your will back to you, Lord Jesus.

6:24

We pray for uh peace as far as it can go, Lord, and we thank you uh for for watching out for us, Lord.

6:31

And as we enter this season where we have uh Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas, Lord, I just pray that you would watch over your people, watch over the children in your name we pray.

6:40

Amen.

Unassigned speaker

6:44

I

Speaker 3

6:44

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Speaker 1

7:02

Before we move on, Alderman Gallagher, I just want to let you know we don't take you for granted.

7:06

Thank you for leading us in prayer, and uh Alderman Jenkins had an idea, and we've done this in the past, uh, and I'm not sure who is willing to lead this for us, but we can we can do this.

7:15

Christy, I know you can help me with this, but um we've had pastors of uh local churches that have volunteered to come in and lead uh the prayer here in the past.

7:25

We did that for a lot of years and not really sure what you know how that kind of fell off, but anyway, it's a great idea.

7:31

We've done it in the past.

7:32

Love your idea, and um so Christy, if you would uh give that some thoughts, some of the pastors that are on our serve South Haven list, we can reach out to them and just see if there's some you know interest in them, you know, uh come into the meeting and leading us in in prayer in some of the future board meetings.

7:49

So anyway, we'll do that and and always appreciate again appreciate Alderman Gallagher and and uh the uh other board members have led us in prayer, so we appreciate that every time.

7:59

Okay, so we'll move uh tonight.

8:01

Uh our first uh agenda item is approval minutes for the October 6, 2026 meeting.

8:09

We have a motion by Otterman Hoots, second by Alterman Jerome.

8:13

Is there any discussion?

8:16

Hearing none roll call, please.

Speaker 4

8:17

Alderman Payne,

Speaker 1

8:18

yes.

Speaker 4

8:19

Alderman Jenkins, yes.

8:20

Alterman Hoot, yes, Alderman Jerome, yes, Alderman Gallagher, yes.

Speaker 1

8:25

Yes, that motion carries.

8:26

Next on our agenda is engagement letter with Lewis and Ellis actuaries and a consultants, city attorney, Mr.

8:32

Nick Manley.

Unassigned speaker

8:35

I

Speaker 5

8:36

guess Mayor Board, this engagement letter is with Lewis and Ellis and El assist with the Gaspy 75 audit.

8:41

Uh we used the Lewis and Ellis in the past, the engagement is for 26 and 27.

8:47

Um it's for the OPB audit and the amount is uh ten thousand dollars, five thousand per year on this is required, so it's not gonna be authorization for the mayor or milling to sign the Melanie to sign the letter with uh Lewis and Ellis for the Gasby 75 audit.

Speaker 2

9:03

So moved second.

Unassigned speaker

9:05

We have

Speaker 1

9:06

a motion alterman Flores, second of Alderman Wheeler.

9:08

Is there any discussion?

9:13

Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

9:16

Any opposed, say no.

9:17

Ayes have it, motion carries.

9:19

Next on the agenda is a police department contract with Pitney Bows.

Speaker 5

9:23

This contract is authorization with Pitney Bows as the lease from the meter for a five-year term.

9:28

Um authorization for Chief Kern to sign.

Unassigned speaker

9:34

We

Speaker 1

9:34

have a motion from Alderman Hoot, second Alterman Jerome.

9:37

Is there any discussion?

9:41

Hearing none, roll call.

Speaker 4

9:43

Alterman Payne, yes.

9:44

Alterman Jenkins, yes.

Speaker 1

9:50

Yes.

9:51

That motion carries.

9:52

Next on our agenda is a resolution for IT surplus property.

Unassigned speaker

9:56

This is just surpluses IT property in accordance with 172525.

Speaker 5

10:04

So need authorization for the resolution.

Speaker 6

10:08

Second.

Unassigned speaker

10:09

We

Speaker 1

10:09

have a motion alterman Flores.

10:11

Second Alderman Jenkins.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████51%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████11%

Transportation Safety████████9%

Public Safety███████8%

Economic Development█████6%

Code Enforcement█████6%

Parks and Recreation████5%

Legal Affairs████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Southaven City Board Meeting - October 20, 2026

The Southaven City Board met on October 20, 2026, to address a full agenda of routine approvals, planning items, and updates from the mayor and city attorney. All votes were unanimous. The mayor highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, street resurfacing, and the rebranding of the city's golf course. The board also authorized an executive session for litigation, economic development, and personnel matters.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes (October 6, 2026): Unanimously approved. Motion by Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Jerome.
Engagement Letter with Lewis & Ellis Actuaries: For GASB 75 audit, $10,000 total ($5,000 per year for 2026 and 2027). Motion by Alderman Flores, second by Alderman Wheeler. Unanimous aye vote.
Police Department Contract with Pitney Bowes: Five-year lease for meter. Motion by Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Jerome. Unanimous roll call.
Resolution for IT Surplus Property: Authorized in accordance with 17-25-25. Motion by Alderman Flores, second by Alderman Jenkins. Unanimous.
Authority to Seek Bids for Skid Steer (Utilities): Reverse auction authorized; bids to return for approval. Motion by Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Payne. Unanimous.
Resolution for Filing Tax Assessments: Final batch for the year, rolling unpaid liens into property assessments. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Jenkins. Unanimous.
Bid for Police Department Generator Modification: Awarded to OSB Services for $194,850 (budgeted $175,000; funded from facilities renovations line). Motion by Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Jenkins. Unanimous.
Police Department Contract with Motorola: Vehicle manager/commercial data/ALPR tool; $9,000/year for five years plus $330 setup. Motion by Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Payne. Unanimous.
Interlocal Agreements with DeSoto County, Ala Branch, and Walls: For JAG grants ($12,000 and $13,864 allocated to Southaven). Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Jenkins. Unanimous.
Resolution to Clean Private Property: Authorized. No public comment from those with financial interest. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hoot. Unanimous.

Planning Agenda

Tax Incentive Program Approval for 550 State Line Road (Rural King): Rural King will occupy ~95,000 sq ft of the former Kmart building. Total investment ~$19 million ($3 million building improvements). Board approved the concept; final resolution to return. Motion by Alderman Jenkins, second by Alderman Hoot. Unanimous.
Conditional Use Permit for Auto Repair at 905 Town and Country Suite F: One-year with four-year extension. Planning commission unanimous. Motion by Alderman Jenkins, second by Alderman Hoot. Unanimous.
Conditional Use Permit for Barbershop at 3038 Goodman Road East: One-year with four-year extension. Complies with half-mile radius rule. Planning commission unanimous. Motion by Alderman Wheeler, second by Alderman Flores. Unanimous.
Conditional Use Permit for Auto Repair at 8600-8668 Whitworth Street: Three buildings (former Kawasaki site). Conditions for improvements. Planning commission unanimous. Motion by Alderman Jenkins, second by Alderman Hoot. Unanimous.
Correction to Mace One Lot Subdivision Plat: Title block error in section/township/range; corrected to Section 18, Township 1 South, Range 7 West. Motion by Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Payne. Unanimous.

Mayor's Report

Mayor provided updates:

State Line Road Widening: Project to three lanes will begin soon; traffic challenges expected during construction.
Star Landing / Sweeney Roundabout: Under construction; city pressing for schedule adherence.
Street Resurfacing: Underway this week using $7.5 million budget for 2027. Work in October/November, then resume early 2027.
Greenbrook Nine Golf Course: Rebranded from Southaven Golf Center; enhancements include new fence, beer sales (increased revenue), and a brick monument sign. 18 holes for $26.

Personnel Docket

Approved unanimously. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hoot.

City Attorney's Legal Update

Items approved collectively:

Lease for True Word previously authorized; no action.
Agreement with National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for police department.
Authorization of funds for Southhaven Retro 5K (per MS Code 17-31).
State Line Road widening project: Bid awarded to Endscore LLC for $1,636,603 (lowest and best, including additive alternative). Motion by Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Payne. All approved unanimously.

Utilities Billing Leak Adjustment Docket

Approved unanimously. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hoot.

Claims Docket

Approved in the amount of $4,352,641.67 including demand checks. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Flores. Unanimous.

Executive Session

Motion to determine need: Alderman Gallagher, second by Alderman Wheeler. Unanimous aye. Need: litigation, economic development, interdepartmental personnel (no action).
Motion to declare executive session: Alderman Hoot, second by Alderman Jerome. Unanimous. The board entered executive session.

Meeting Transcript

Please stand with us. We'll be led in prayer by Alderman Gallagher. Please remain standing after that for the Pledge of Allegiance that will be led by Alderman at Lord's George Payne. Heavenly Father, we welcome you here once again, Lord. So that we would do your will in all things that we do, Lord. Lord, I want to pray for uh the wars that are going on, Lord. Um you know uh what needs to be done, Lord, and we just pray your will back to you, Lord Jesus. We pray for uh peace as far as it can go, Lord, and we thank you uh for for watching out for us, Lord. And as we enter this season where we have uh Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas, Lord, I just pray that you would watch over your people, watch over the children in your name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Before we move on, Alderman Gallagher, I just want to let you know we don't take you for granted. Thank you for leading us in prayer, and uh Alderman Jenkins had an idea, and we've done this in the past, uh, and I'm not sure who is willing to lead this for us, but we can we can do this. Christy, I know you can help me with this, but um we've had pastors of uh local churches that have volunteered to come in and lead uh the prayer here in the past. We did that for a lot of years and not really sure what you know how that kind of fell off, but anyway, it's a great idea. We've done it in the past. Love your idea, and um so Christy, if you would uh give that some thoughts, some of the pastors that are on our serve South Haven list, we can reach out to them and just see if there's some you know interest in them, you know, uh come into the meeting and leading us in in prayer in some of the future board meetings. So anyway, we'll do that and and always appreciate again appreciate Alderman Gallagher and and uh the uh other board members have led us in prayer, so we appreciate that every time. Okay, so we'll move uh tonight. Uh our first uh agenda item is approval minutes for the October 6, 2026 meeting. We have a motion by Otterman Hoots, second by Alterman Jerome. Is there any discussion? Hearing none roll call, please. Alderman Payne, yes. Alderman Jenkins, yes. Alterman Hoot, yes, Alderman Jerome, yes, Alderman Gallagher, yes. Yes, that motion carries. Next on our agenda is engagement letter with Lewis and Ellis actuaries and a consultants, city attorney, Mr. Nick Manley. I guess Mayor Board, this engagement letter is with Lewis and Ellis and El assist with the Gaspy 75 audit. Uh we used the Lewis and Ellis in the past, the engagement is for 26 and 27. Um it's for the OPB audit and the amount is uh ten thousand dollars, five thousand per year on this is required, so it's not gonna be authorization for the mayor or milling to sign the Melanie to sign the letter with uh Lewis and Ellis for the Gasby 75 audit. So moved second. We have a motion alterman Flores, second of Alderman Wheeler. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Any opposed, say no. Ayes have it, motion carries. Next on the agenda is a police department contract with Pitney Bows. This contract is authorization with Pitney Bows as the lease from the meter for a five-year term. Um authorization for Chief Kern to sign. We have a motion from Alderman Hoot, second Alterman Jerome. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, roll call. Alterman Payne, yes.

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