Wiggins Board of Aldermen | July 21, 2026
Meeting Recap | Tuesday, July 21, 2026 · 5:00 p.m. · City Hall
At this meeting: The board adopted the water and sewer rate increase at the full 115 percent level — a 5-0 vote that ends a decade without a rate adjustment and adds about $19.50 to the minimum monthly residential bill. The board also lowered the Magnolia Drive speed limit to 35 mph on the south end, tabled the Hall Street detention pond question, and wrestled at length with the future of the senior center.
I–III. Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order; an invocation was offered and the Pledge of Allegiance recited.
IV. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was amended to add a payment item concerning the lagoon-road washout (taken up with the SCUA item below), then approved as amended. Passed 5-0
V. Minutes — July 7 Regular Meeting
Approved with corrections: two name spellings (Brittany; Christopher O’Neill) and clarified wording that use-tax funds are directed to the MDOT infrastructure project. Passed 5-0
VI. Docket of Claims
Claims 19264–19377 approved. Passed 5-0
VII. Payroll
Payroll for July 10 and July 17 approved; it was noted one employee had donated time. Passed 5-0
VIII. Citizens’ Comments
Roberta Yates, a North Vardaman Street resident of about 13 years, spoke in support of keeping the senior center open, describing its weekly schedule, Tuesday devotion, art classes, ladies’ Bible study, exercise and line dancing, bingo, and a monthly group outing, and urging the board to address the center’s issues rather than lose it.
A second resident, John, spoke to the center’s importance to his wife.
IX. Old Business
a. Golf Cart Ordinance Amendment
The amendment adds language, tracking state statute, prohibiting ATVs and off-highway vehicles on city roads. Board discussion addressed the “certain streets” map (an exhibit to the original ordinance, not reprinted with the amendment) and the maximum speed-capability definition, which the board amended from 20 to 24 mph to match state law. Approved as amended. Passed 5-0
b. Detention Pond — Hall Street — TABLED
Gene, representing the developers, described two matters: a proposed communal detention pond on a naturally low portion of the Hall Street property, and the Heritage Drive/Legacy detention facility the developers have worked on with city engineer Ryan Tice for roughly two and a half years with the expectation the city would eventually take it over. The land development code neither allows nor prohibits communal detention ponds serving multiple parcels. The open question is whether the city should assume ownership and perpetual maintenance. Board members voiced support for the communal-pond concept but concern about the city entering “the detention pond business,” its funding, and the precedent. The item was tabled until the city engineer returns. Tabled 5-0
X. New Business
a. Senior Center — Geralda McLendon
McLendon addressed rumors: the city is not closing the senior center. Crown, the operating organization, is stepping away effective July 31, returning responsibility to the city. She described a center built in 2006 that one person cannot run alone: under Crown, the director spent her days cooking and cleaning rather than directing programs, which are largely volunteer-run. She asked the board to keep the center going with proper structure. Additional residents, including Cindy Allison, echoed the request, noting attendance averages around 30 and that volunteers already run most activities.
Board discussion: Alderman McKay said the board cannot legally manage day-to-day operations but supports keeping the center open “100 percent,” and reported contacting USM and Ole Miss about therapeutic-recreation practicum students; he renewed his long-standing call for a true recreation department. Alderwoman Bonney said she is researching grants and community partnerships toward a sustainable long-term plan. Alderman Harris said he would address the topic under his agenda item. Board members acknowledged a service interruption is likely in the short term. No formal action was taken.
b. Magnolia Drive Speed Limit
A representative of Carpenter’s pole yard raised safety concerns about truck traffic entering and exiting on North Magnolia. The police chief detailed broader issues: missing “trucks entering” signage, sight-line hills at the 49 turns, log trucks whose loads sweep adjacent lanes, flooding, and the new school’s bus route — eight buses crossing Highway 49 in a tight morning window, with MDOT actively studying the signal timing at Magnolia and 49. MDOT’s district commissioner advised that lowering the limit requires only a city vote.
After discussion of enforcement effects, radar-feedback signs, rumble strips, and flashing lights (Magnolia/Highway 29 is MDOT right-of-way; devices come at city cost, and the pole yard offered to help pay for signage), the board acted in two parts: lower the speed limit to 35 mph on the south end (from the 5th Avenue area south, where school traffic concentrates) and pursue traffic-calming devices and signage, with pricing due at the next meeting; the north end stays as-is pending the calming devices’ effect. Notice will be publicized with a grace period before enforcement. Passed 5-0
c. Mississippi Rural Water Association — Lead Service Line Inventory
MSRWA offered assistance with the EPA-required lead and copper service line inventory — roughly 200 potentially affected lines have been identified. The association will GIS-map meters and valves, verify the lines in question, complete required paperwork, and prepare a forgiveness-funding application, at no charge beyond a mapping subscription (Diamond Maps, first year free, then approximately $35/month combined). A representative will attend the next meeting; the board approved with the understanding it can rescind. Passed 5-0
d. Senior Parade Route — August 3
A parent representative for the Class of 2027 presented the route: line up at McAlister’s parking lot around 6:15 a.m., proceed down the frontage road past Arby’s and into the student lot, with police blocking the Walmart signal. Last year’s parade took under 30 minutes. Approved with police assistance. Passed 5-0
e. Payment to SCUA — Lift Station Repairs
A reimbursement check related to lift station repairs (Stone Rehab) was made out to the city, requiring board action to endorse payment to SCUA. Passed 5-0
Added item — lagoon road washout. Storm flooding washed out the road to the lagoon; a $2,000 dozer bill was split with the school district, which uses the lagoon and has already paid the full amount. The board approved the city’s $1,000 half, noting potential state storm reimbursement. Passed 5-0
f. Water and Sewer Rate Increase — ADOPTED
On motion of Alderman Jared Harris, the board adopted the 115 percent rate level from the rate study presented at the July 14 special called meeting — setting water and sewer revenue at 1.15 times expenses to fund operations plus a capital reserve for repairs. The base residential increase is approximately $19.50 per month at the 3,000-gallon minimum (water base $13.00 to $17.50; sewer base $20.00 to $35.00). Rates had not been raised in roughly ten years; the board has committed to annual rate reviews, with rates able to come down as repairs reduce the system’s water loss and rainwater-treatment costs. Passed 5-0
XI. Departments
a.i. Land Code — Seymour Engineering
Certificates of occupancy issued for the new high school buildings, including the fine arts building, with the cafeteria building pending a flooring item. First Baptist Church renovation plans are headed to the planning commission with parking variance requests. Venture Church is beginning a significant expansion with no issues to date. The 1348 Fairway Drive easement matter from last meeting is resolved. The 120 Myrtle Street property, under a stop-work order about six months ago, now has a licensed contractor with a permit application in.
a.ii. Land Code — Donovan Scruggs
No Report
b. Police Department
i. Termination — dispatcher Chrystain Barnett. Three months into the job, Barnett was unable to maintain compliance with required NCIC logging and related procedures. Termination approved. Passed 5-0
ii. Hire — Rebecca Hughes, full-time dispatcher. Limited work history but a strong interview and recommendation; starts at $12/hour, rising to $13 upon certification (about a year). She will be the department’s fourth dispatcher. Passed 5-0
iii. Deputy chief interviews. Taken up in executive session.
Grants (added). The department’s handgun grant — pending two and a half years — was finally awarded at $12,000. A Mississippi Office of Traffic Safety grant was approved by the board: $10,000 in officer overtime for enforcement details (a minimum of five checkpoints per quarter plus saturation patrols) and $1,365 for an in-car radar unit, no local match — the city last purchased a radar unit in 2006. Passed 5-0.
The 2026 COPS hiring program (75 percent federal / 25 percent city) for a community-engagement officer; the board supported submitting the no-obligation letter of intent due July 22, with the full application on the next agenda.
c. Fire Department
i. Reinstatement of Tyler Clinton. Passed 5-0
ii. Fire Academy. Tyler Clinton and Brooks Smith approved to attend the Mississippi State Fire Academy Fire Services Instructor Level-1 class beginning August 10 — an online course, $175 registration, no travel. Passed 5-0
Updates. Department website forms and maps have been repaired, and the Safe Haven baby box was delivered to the station.
d. Public Works
i. Archie Gray — Water & Sewer. Gray is standing up a second crew (three recent hires) to split water and sewer workload — taps, leaks, and meters. He requested a mini excavator (Kubota U27 class, state contract pricing); the board deferred the purchase to the October budget process, with a rental-purchase option raised as an alternative. Separately, the board addressed Gray’s own hours: hired part-time at 20 hours per week, he has been working well beyond that. After discussion of full-time status and pay, the board approved moving Gray to 32 hours per week at his current hourly rate, to be revisited in the October budget. Board members emphasized his value to the city. Passed 5-0
ii. Street Department — Cassandra Arrington. Discussion of a part-time employee approved at 20 hours per week who has been working about 23; exceeding 20 hours triggers PERS retirement contributions. Direction: hold the position to 20 hours (two and a half days). No formal action.
e–g. Municipal Court, City Engineer, City Clerk
Municipal Court had no items. For the city engineer’s office, Michelle reported the water tank rehabilitation is progressing — interior sandblasted and primed, exterior shroud going up in the coming weeks after Mississippi Power insulated adjacent power lines — and presented Edge Utilities, Inc. Final Pay Request #1 of $38,275.00 for the completed 4th Avenue sewer line project. Passed 5-0. The city clerk’s office is scheduling a budget workshop for the end of next week.
XII. Aldermen / Mayor
a. Senior Center — Rachel Bonney. Proposed a workshop or designated point person to research options and build a plan for the center’s future.
b. Personnel Matters — Damian McKay. Reported personally reviewing the accidental firearm discharge at the police department; as serious as the incident was, he praised the department’s after-action research and handling.
c. Discussion — Jared Harris. In prepared remarks on municipal finance, Harris argued that cities “must play their foul balls” — inherited deferred maintenance, debt, and status-quo thinking — and that only permanent operational cuts durably change a city’s finances. He questioned the proper scope of government services, citing the senior center: purchased with a $300,000 bond in 2002 as match for a CDBG public-facilities grant, costing an estimated $65,000–$80,000 a year to operate, against a general fund cash balance he put at negative $800,000. He said he is not against senior services but believes churches, nonprofits, and existing facilities should fill more of these roles, and that he has requested the original grant agreement from MDA to understand the building’s obligations. Alderman McKay offered a rebuttal: recreation and community wellbeing are core functions of government, with measurable benefits for youth outcomes and senior health, and belong “inside the bubble” even amid hard cuts, a debate both agreed continues at the coming budget workshop.
Executive Session
The board voted to enter executive session for personnel (deputy chief interviews). Entered 5-0.
Adjournment
Per the agenda, the board adjourned until Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., the next regular scheduled meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.