City of Wiggins Board of Aldermen Meeting
June 2, 2026
This summary is intended to document what was discussed and decided during the meeting. It follows the agenda in order and reflects the substance of each item.
1. Call to Order / Invocation / Pledge
The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:00 p.m.
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brittany Harris was not present.
2. Approval of Agenda (June 2, 2026)
The agenda was amended to add Item H under New Business.
Motion made and approved.
Passed
3. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting, May 19, 2026
Discussion included a note that the board had not yet received a report from Crown Care and requested one.
Motion made and approved.
Passed
4. Approval of Docket of Claims (June 2, 2026 — Claims 18718 through 18857)
Motion made and approved.
Passed
5. Approval of Payroll (May 22 and May 29, 2026)
Motion made and approved.
Passed
6. Citizens’ Comments
No citizens’ comments were recorded.
7. Old Business / Tabled Issues
No old business items were presented.
New Business
8a. Waste Management Contract Extension — Shea Magee, WM Representative
Shea Magee presented a proposed extension of the city’s existing waste collection contract with Waste Management.
Discussion included:
- The proposal is a continuation of current contract terms with no changes — not a new contract
- The board raised concerns about the compressed timeline for review, noting that by the time the contract came forward, there was little room to negotiate or ask questions
- Magee explained the delay was tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measurement window, which runs April to April; the CPI figure is not published until mid-May, making earlier submission impossible
- Magee proposed changing the contract’s CPI measurement window from April–April to February–February or March–March to give both sides more lead time in future years
- Current residential rate: $16.86, increasing by $0.83 to $17.69 under the extension
- The board discussed whether to approve a one-year extension or a longer multi-year term
- Under Mississippi law, the city may enter one-year extensions up to a total of 10 years on the existing agreement
- A four-year term would lock in current pricing terms and CPI adjustments; a new contract after expiration would require full renegotiation and could result in a larger rate increase
- Board members expressed satisfaction with WM’s service performance but preferred the one-year extension to retain flexibility
Motion made and approved to extend the contract for four years under existing terms with CPI adjustments.
Passed
8b. SCEDP Budget Presentation — Billy McCrary
Billy McCrary presented the Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) operating and capital budgets.
Discussion included:
- Projected revenue: $180,040
- Personnel expenditures: $524,460
- Operations: $51,082
- Utilities: $20,500
- Insurance: $10,800
- Special fees: $111,500
- Total operating expenditures: $680,014
- Capital budget revenue and expenditures: $1,395,000 (balanced)
- Capital items included a match for an industrial park project and signage
Motion made and approved.
Passed
8c. DeSoto Treated Materials, Inc. — Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Application
The board considered an application for ad valorem tax exemption.
Motion made and approved.
Passed
8d. Rachel Bonney — Senior Center Lighting Project
Rachel Bonney presented a lighting project at the senior center and reported that she had met with county supervisors earlier in the week to stress the importance of the project.
Discussion included:
- Seniors use the center daily
- She expressed hope that a partnership with the county could help move the project forward
No vote taken. Board expressed support.
8e. Jared Harris — Scooter and E-Bike Ordinance
Alderman Harris raised the topic of a scooter and e-bike ordinance.
Discussion included:
- Need to add the item to a future agenda with proper legal preparation
- Suggestion to consult legal counsel before drafting
No vote taken. Item to be brought back.
8f. Jared Harris — Municipal Court Fees and Fines Discussion
Alderman Harris opened a discussion on the city’s municipal court fee and fine structure.
Discussion included:
- Concern that court fees and fine schedules have not been updated since approximately 2015, while city operating costs have increased significantly
- Police Chief presented data comparing Wiggins’ fine schedule to neighboring cities including Gautier, Ocean Springs, and Yardville — Wiggins ranked among the lowest in the region
- Under state statute (Miss. Code §21-23-7(11)), the municipal court may assess reasonable court costs, including up to $25 for service of an arrest warrant for failure to appear and up to $35 per day for jail costs paid by the municipality
- Discussion of whether the city could recoup the $35 per day jail housing cost it pays to the county
- City attorney-level clarification was recommended before implementing any new fee assessments; officials noted some assessments are set by the state, not the municipality
- Chief noted that the city cannot add jail time in lieu of a fine as a punishment mechanism — that is prohibited under current statute
- A majority of court defendants plead guilty and pay fines; a small subset are individuals who are unable to pay and are serving out fines in jail, costing the city housing fees with no revenue return
- Board members discussed the tension between recouping costs and the reality of indigent defendants
- Chief requested the board review the fine schedule for moving violations, drug charges, and related misdemeanors
- School zone and construction zone violations were noted as categories where other cities have implemented significantly higher fines
No vote taken. Item referred for further review and future agenda action.
8g. Jared Harris — Drug Testing Policy Discussion
Alderman Harris raised the city’s existing drug testing policy and whether it is being enforced.
Discussion included:
- The city’s personnel handbook includes a drug testing policy in effect since April 1, 2013, covering all employees who operate city vehicles or motorized equipment
- The policy includes pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing
- It was noted that random testing has not been consistently implemented for non-police city employees
- The police department conducts random testing through a third-party service (Lyric Toxicology); random names are selected by the testing company from a city-provided employee list
- Board and department heads agreed the policy should either be followed or removed; allowing a policy to exist without enforcement creates legal liability, particularly if an employee causes an incident while impaired
- Discussion of medical marijuana card holders among employees and how that intersects with drug testing — legal use does not protect against impairment on the job; THC metabolites can remain in the system for up to 30 days, complicating test interpretation
- Board requested that the Police Chief return at the next meeting with a specific proposal for implementing random testing across all city employees, including a process, frequency recommendation, and cost estimate
No vote taken. Item to return at next meeting.
8h. Zone 8 LLC Consulting Contract — Rescission (Added to Agenda)
Alderman Jared Harris moved to rescind the previously approved donation/consulting agreement with Zone 8 LLC that had been accepted at the May 19, 2026 meeting.
Discussion included:
- Alderman Harris stated his reason as a concern about the arrangement involving a media-related entity and indicated he did not believe it was a good fit for the city
Motion made and approved to rescind the Zone 8 LLC agreement.
Passed
Department Reports
9a. Land Code Administrator — CleanSpark Facility (736 Hall Street)
The Land Code Administrator provided an update on the CleanSpark facility and sound mitigation efforts.
Discussion included:
- CleanSpark installed sound barrier walls following complaints from neighboring businesses about noise
- A neighboring business owner reported that conditions have improved but noise remains constant since the visit with the Land Code Administrator where they found it difficult to have a conversation at a normal volume due to facility noise during that time
- A final decibel report from CleanSpark is pending; the Land Code Administrator has not yet received it
- The city’s current ordinance does not specify a decibel limit; officials discussed the need to add a numeric noise standard to address future similar developments
- The board discussed how the new expansion units were permitted differently from the original facility, which had a sound buffer built into the original site plan
- Officials acknowledged the city’s permitting process for this type of development lacked conditions that would have anticipated sound impacts
- Board members noted CleanSpark cooperated in installing the barrier walls without significant pushback
No vote taken.
9b. Police Department
i. Flooding Concerns
Officials discussed ongoing concerns about flooding in certain areas of the city. No formal action taken.
ii. Bridge Water Mental Health Partnership
Discussion of a partnership with Bridge Water Mental Health. The organization requested an additional week to consult with their legal team before finalizing the arrangement. No vote taken.
iii. Rural Violent Crime Reduction Grant
The Police Chief presented a grant application for the Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative, funded through the Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Administration.
Discussion included:
- Grant maximum: $500,000 over three years; city’s application total: $145,400 (with a $9,600 annual recurring cost for continuation)
- The city’s 5% match would be approximately $7,000–$8,000
- Grant funds would cover:
- Tablets or cellular devices with data plans for officers to complete domestic violence lethality assessments on scene
- Partnership with the Center for Nonviolence as a stakeholder and court liaison to improve victim follow-through from incident to prosecution
- Body camera system upgrade — current Axon system is no longer supported; new cameras include automatic download capability, night vision, and audio; current system requires manual file conversion before upload to case management
- Drone for investigative use (infrared, audio-capable) to assist in missing person searches, particularly in wooded areas; would reduce reliance on canine units the department does not currently have
- Chief noted the department currently lacks mobile data capability; officers must use personal cell phones, creating legal vulnerability if phones are subpoenaed
Motion made and approved to allow the Chief to pursue the grant.
Passed
Personnel
- Motion made and approved to accept the resignation of Sgt. Chris Cheryl
Passed - Motion made and approved to accept the resignation of Chris Gollott, (Frosty Mug’s owner; insufficient time to serve in the reserves).
Passed - Motion made and approved to accept the resignation of Sgt. Nick Freeman (accepted outside employment due to family financial need).
Passed
9c. Fire Department
i. Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) — Turnout Gear and SCBA Equipment
- Grant is 95% federally funded with a 5% local match
- Application deadline: June 22, 2026
Motion made and approved to pursue the grant.
Passed
ii. Fire Prevention and Safety Grant — Community Education Trailer
- Grant funds a fire prevention and safety trailer for community education (children and adults)
- 95% federally funded, 5% local match
- Application deadline: June 22, 2026
- Chief noted interest in partnering with Pearl River Community College on the match; PRCC has not yet confirmed participation
Motion made and approved to pursue the grant.
Passed
9d. Public Works — Water and Sewer
Water and Sewer Report
Officials presented a detailed overview of the city’s water and sewer infrastructure challenges.
Discussion included:
- The city has significant water loss between what it produces and what it bills: approximately 155 million gallons unaccounted for in 2024 vs. 203 million gallons in 2023 vs. 46 million gallons in 2022 (numbers flagged as potentially inconsistent and under review)
- The Stone County Utility Authority (SCUA) billed the city for 169 million gallons of sewer flow; the city only metered 40 million gallons billed to customers — a difference of 129 million gallons, believed to be stormwater infiltration into aging concrete sewer lines
- The city’s sewer system was designed decades ago; concrete pipes have cracked over time, allowing groundwater and rainwater to enter and flow through the system, driving up the city’s SCUA bill
- Two sinkholes were repaired the same day they were identified
- Elevated sewer line timber supports throughout the city are aging and require repair (addressed under City Engineer agenda item)
- Councilmembers noted that the city was effectively compelled to tie into SCUA years ago, after state regulators told the city they would no longer permit its lagoons — at a time when anticipated development in the area never materialized after the 2008 housing market crash; as a result, the city has been the primary contributor to a system designed for much higher flow
- Staff recommended the city build a documented case — correlating SCUA bills with rainfall data — to present to the state as leverage for infrastructure funding
- SCUA’s billing manager is compiling monthly billing data and rainfall correlations for the past four years
No vote taken.
Gulf Coast Restoration Grant
Staff noted that applications for the Gulf Coast Restoration Funding Program are being accepted through July 31. An application workshop is scheduled for July 8 at 9 a.m. at the EDP office. The Hall Street project was previously submitted and received the highest ranking of any city submission. Board discussed the value of presenting a compelling infrastructure narrative to improve funding chances.
No vote taken.
Street Department
No substantive report recorded.
9e. Municipal Court
No report.
9f. City Engineer — TEI
Elevated Sewer Line Timber Support Repair
The board considered authorizing TEI to prepare plans and specifications to repair elevated sewer line timber supports throughout the city.
Discussion included:
- Approximately half a mile of elevated line affected
- Design cost estimated at under $30,000
- Construction cost estimated at $400,000–$500,000
- Having a completed set of plans would allow the city to move quickly if grant funding is secured
Motion made and approved to authorize TEI to prepare plans and specifications.
Passed
9g. City Clerk
No report.
Aldermen / Mayor Discussion
10. Budget Process
Aldermen discussed the upcoming budget cycle.
Discussion included:
- Finance consultant is scheduled to begin working with department heads the following week
- Board members expressed a preference for building the budget from the baseline up rather than submitting wish lists and cutting back
- Discussion of the need for workshops — a use tax workshop and a budget workshop were referenced
- Department heads were encouraged to begin compiling their numbers
No vote taken.
11. Parks and Recreation
Staff noted that spring baseball and softball wrapped up with most games completed before recent rain. Flag football is being added as a new sport, including girls’ flag football for participants up to age 15, following growing interest at the high school level.
Adjournment
Motion made to adjourn until Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Meeting adjourned.
Resident Note: This summary follows the agenda order and reflects discussion and action taken during the meeting. It is intended to document what was discussed, what action was taken, and what residents may want to know if they missed the meeting.