Wiggins Board of Aldermen | July 7, 2026

At this meeting: The board approved the next step in issuing a $2.4 million general obligation bond for street construction and repairs. Workforce representatives discussed the rapid-response effort following the announced closure of the Hood Industries plywood mill. The city ended its local state of emergency following the June flooding but will continue documenting expenses and damage while awaiting possible federal assistance. The police department announced grant funding for four ATVs and replacement equipment, and the board discussed emergency preparedness, staffing, water and sewer rates, the police department building, and the future of the senior center.

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.

I. Call to Order / Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

The invocation was delivered by a local pastor. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.

IV. Approval of Agenda — July 7, 2026

The agenda was amended to add presentations or discussion involving:

• SMPDD and the Hood Industries closure
• Emergency management
• Jake Fletcher

Motion to amend made and approved.
Passed

Motion to approve the amended agenda made and approved.
Passed

V. Approval of Minutes

The board considered:

• Corrected regular meeting minutes from June 2, 2026
• Regular meeting minutes from June 16, 2026

Motion made and approved.
Passed

VI. Approval of Docket of Claims — July 7, 2026

Claims 19025 through 19250 were presented for approval.

Motion made and approved.
Passed

VII. Approval of Payroll

The board considered payroll for:

• June 18, 2026
• June 26, 2026
• July 2, 2026

Motion made and approved.
Passed

VIII. Citizens’ Comments

Kayla Baldock — Blaylock Park

Baldock addressed the board about unsafe conditions at Blaylock Park.

Discussion included:

• Baldock reported falling while playing with children at the park
• She described uneven or unstable walking surfaces
• She reported exposed, rusted, or sharp metal in multiple areas
• The concerns included areas near the walking surface and playground equipment
• Baldock offered to return with photographs or show city officials the affected areas

The board acknowledged the report.

No formal action taken during Citizens’ Comments.

Fairway Drive Drainage Easement

A property owner addressed the board regarding a drainage easement affecting Lots 3 and 4 on Fairway Drive.

Discussion included:

• The subdivision plat contains a drainage easement on Lot 3
• Lot 3 was filled and raised by a previous owner
• The change in elevation altered the route of stormwater
• Water now flows between Lots 3 and 4 rather than through the originally platted route
• Two culverts are already present near the current drainage path
• The existing easement limits the buildable area for a proposed house
• The parties discussed moving the easement from one side of Lot 3 to the other so the legal drainage route matches the way water now moves
• The city engineer said the subdivision plat would need to be amended and filed
• A survey and signatures or statements from affected adjoining property owners may be required
• The board may later need to make findings that other property owners in the subdivision would not be adversely affected
• The existing easement is 30 feet wide; the engineer said the required width could be reviewed
• The process could take approximately two weeks to one month, depending on how quickly the survey work is completed

No vote taken.

IX. Old Business / Tabled Issues

No separate old-business action was clearly identified in the transcript.

X. New Business

a. SHS Homecoming Parade

Cyntria Young was listed on the agenda regarding the Stone High School Homecoming Parade.

The presenter was not present when the item was called.

No action taken at that time.

b. Blaylock Bash — July 11, 2026

A representative presented plans for the Blaylock Bash, a children’s field-day event scheduled for July 11.

Discussion included:

• More than 100 children had registered
• Activities were planned for children ages 3 through 15
• Registration forms included parent or guardian information, emergency contacts, and signatures
• Sponsorships were being used to provide T-shirts for participating children
• Sponsors would be listed on the shirts
• Planned activities included races, relay events, tug-of-war, football, and other field-day games
• The event included a scheduled lunch period
• Four food vendors were expected
• The organizer requested use of Second Street between College and Pine for the vendors
• The proposed street closure would begin at approximately 10:00 a.m.
• The organizer said staff would be responsible for cleanup and intended to leave the park cleaner than they found it
• The board discussed parking, barricades, access, and avoiding interference with residential traffic

Motion made and approved to allow the requested street use or closure for the event.
Passed

Police and Community Service Recognition

The police chief recognized three people for their work during and after the June flooding.

Life Saving Service Medal
Wiggins Police Department Officer, J. Runge received a Life Saving Service Medal for actions during a high-water rescue on June 18.

Discussion included:

• The police chief and deputy chief were out of town when the flooding began
• Department personnel acted under the direction of local leadership
• A high-water vehicle could not reach one affected area
• The officer entered dangerous floodwater and assisted several trapped residents
• The citation recognized the officer’s actions, professionalism, and willingness to go beyond the normal call of duty

Humanitarian Service Medal
Pastor Jake Staten and Vardaman Street Baptist Church were recognized for their response during the flooding.

Discussion included:

• The church opened its Life Center as a distribution and relief center
• Volunteers provided meals, clothing, cleaning supplies, showers, bedding, and other necessities
• Church members, community volunteers, first responders, businesses, and other churches contributed
• Volunteers later began removing damaged sheetrock and insulation and treating homes for mold
• The church is now working to help residents rebuild, particularly elderly residents, families with children, people on fixed incomes, and residents without adequate insurance
• Staten said donations of money and volunteer time would be directed to materials and rebuilding work

Humanitarian Service Medal
Wiggins Police Department Staff Sergeant, Jared Havard, received a Humanitarian Service Medal.

Discussion included:

• The staff sergeant helped coordinate churches, shelter locations, volunteers, and resources while department leadership was out of town
• The chief credited him with placing people where they were needed and helping create an organized response
• The citation recognized compassion, leadership, public service, and dedication during Tropical Storm Arthur

c. Troy Johnston — General Obligation Bond Resolution

Bond counsel Troy Johnston presented the next resolution in the city’s proposed street-repair bond process.

Discussion included:

• The proposed bond amount is $2.4 million
• Funds would be used for street construction and repairs
• The financing would be structured as a general obligation bond
• The city intends to use use-tax revenue to make the payments
• The proposed term is 10 years
• Preliminary planning used an estimated 5 percent interest rate
• Estimated annual debt service was approximately $310,000
• Payments would occur twice yearly, in February and August
• The bonds would be callable, allowing possible refinancing later
• Banks will be invited to submit bids
• The city would award the financing based on the most favorable qualifying bid
• Notice will be published before bids are considered
• Bids are expected to be presented to the board on August 4
• The city will not be locked into the financing until the final bond sale is approved
• The bond validation process will occur while bids are being solicited
• The city will have a limited period after issuance in which to use the proceeds for eligible work

Motion made and approved to proceed with the general obligation bond resolution.
Passed

Hood Industries Closure — Workforce Rapid Response

Representatives from Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District addressed the board regarding the announced closure of the Hood Industries plywood mill.

Discussion included:

• The state had received a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, commonly called a WARN notice
• A multi-agency meeting had been held earlier that day
• Participants included workforce officials, unemployment representatives, job-placement personnel, community-college representatives, and regional development staff
• Rapid-response funding is available when a large employer announces a closure or major layoff
• Services may include unemployment assistance, case management, job matching, retraining, and short-term skills programs
• Workforce officials are seeking a detailed list of the positions and skills represented at the plant
• That information may allow employees to be matched directly with available jobs
• A job fair may be organized quickly
• Hood Industries had reportedly been cooperative and may allow services to be offered on site
• Some employees were expected to continue working during a transition period while existing orders were completed
• Officials discussed short-term training programs that could help employees qualify for available work
• Local businesses considering expansion or additional hiring may be invited to participate
• Board members asked whether assistance might be available to small businesses willing to hire displaced workers
• Workforce representatives said they would review available employment and training programs
• The presenters cautioned against relying on an employee count until the official WARN notice had been reviewed

No vote taken.

Emergency Management — End of Local State of Emergency

Emergency-management representatives asked the board to complete documents related to the city’s emergency declarations and consider ending the local state of emergency.

Discussion included:

• Stone County had already ended its local emergency declaration
• Ending the city declaration returns the city to normal purchasing and procurement procedures
• Ending the declaration does not stop the city from identifying or documenting storm damage
• The city should continue retaining payroll records, mileage, equipment-use records, receipts, purchases, repairs, and photographs
• Public Assistance would apply to eligible city and county expenses
• Individual Assistance is a separate process for affected residents and homeowners
• The federal disaster-declaration process remained pending
• The city may act as its own applicant for reimbursement or coordinate with Stone County
• A designated representative will be needed to manage the city’s reimbursement projects if federal assistance is approved
• Emergency-management staff offered to assist the city with documentation and submission

Motion made and approved to end the City of Wiggins local state of emergency.
Passed

Brent Bond Performance — Street Closure

The board received a request to close a downtown street for a Brent Bond performance scheduled for Saturday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Motion made and approved.
Passed

XI. Departments

a. Land Code Administrator

i. Seymour Engineering

Flooded and Deteriorated Properties

Discussion included:

• Staff are continuing to identify houses affected by the June flooding
• Some properties may eventually require code-enforcement or health-and-welfare proceedings
• The board discussed the cost of demolition and cleanup
• The city must usually pay demolition costs before attempting to recover the expense through a lien or property taxes
• Recovery may take several years and may not occur if a property is abandoned to the state
• Staff said these costs and other property improvements will need to be considered during budget planning

No vote taken.

Zoning Map

The city’s zoning map needs to be updated to reflect rezoning actions that have already occurred.

The updated map will later need to be presented for adoption.

No vote taken.

School Project

The final inspection for the school project had been completed.

Wiggins Police Department Building

Discussion included:

• The city does not have a reliable set of as-built plans for the Police Department building
• As-built plans are needed before repair drawings and bid documents can be prepared
• The building may require a new roof
• Parts of the exterior may need to be opened or removed to determine how the structure was originally built
• Limited demolition may be required before the repair can be designed properly
• The city had repeatedly attempted to obtain the original plans
• Seymour Engineering recommended preparing a new set of as-built plans and a preliminary repair design

Motion made and approved to authorize preparation of the as-built plans, not to exceed $5,000.
Passed

ii. Donovan Scruggs

West Elmer House — August 4 Public Hearing

Scruggs presented a resolution beginning the formal public-notice process for a house on West Elmer.

Discussion included:

• The city is considering whether the structure should be ordered removed
• The resolution schedules a public hearing for August 4, 2026
• The property owner will have an opportunity to appear before the board
• Following the hearing, the board may establish a period for the owner to address the property
• Time periods discussed included 30, 45, or 90 days
• Scruggs said additional letters had been sent regarding other deteriorated properties
• Board members discussed a group of several unfinished or neglected houses that have remained in poor condition for years

Motion made and approved to adopt the resolution and schedule the public hearing for August 4, 2026.
Passed

Demolition and Code-Enforcement Costs

The board continued discussing the difficulty of funding demolitions.

Discussion included:

• The city must allocate money before a property can be cleaned or demolished
• Demolition expenses may later be added as a lien
• Recovery can take years
• If the property becomes state-owned, the city may not recover the full expense
• Some violations may be addressed through municipal court rather than the health-and-welfare process
• Scruggs said code enforcement is difficult but necessary

No additional vote taken.

b. Police Department

i. Settlement Claim — L. Young

The chief presented a request concerning damage to a vehicle window during an incident involving an officer and a dog.

Discussion included:

• The officer was bitten by a dog
• A firearm discharged during the incident
• A vehicle window was damaged
• No person was struck
• The vehicle owner requested payment for the window
• An estimate of approximately $700 had been obtained
• A proposed payment of $400 was discussed
• The chief had provided documentation concerning the incident and the officer’s disciplinary action
• Board members questioned whether a settlement or release document should be reviewed by the city attorney
• The city attorney was not present

ii. Golf Cart Ordinance Amendment

The chief asked that the proposed amendment be delayed until the city attorney could review additional language recommended by the municipal judge.

Discussion included:

• The ordinance needs clearer language regarding legal routes and street crossings
• Drivers have been crossing grass and private property to avoid prohibited sections of road
• An area behind ABC Roofing and near Miles Avenue was discussed
• The chief expressed concern about injuries, damaged golf carts, trespassing complaints, and city liability
• The city may need crossing signs, pavement markings, or advisory signs identifying approved routes
• Board members discussed the streets on which golf carts may travel briefly to reach a legal crossing
• The amendment should clarify where drivers may cross without forcing them onto private property

The item was tabled pending city attorney review.

Tabled

Police and Emergency-Response Grants

The Police Department reported several grant awards and funding opportunities.

Discussion included:

• The city received approximately $26,000 from the Mississippi Department of Homeland Security
• The award will fund four ATVs
• The vehicles are intended for areas that ordinary police, fire, and public-safety vehicles cannot reach during flooding or other emergencies
• No local match is required
• The department also received approximately $16,000 through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety
• That funding will replace equipment approaching 20 years of age
• No local match is required
• Mississippi Power is developing a law-enforcement sponsorship program with the city
• Possible purchases include electric bicycles, helmets, and related equipment
• The bicycles could be used for patrols during downtown events and in areas where full-size vehicles are impractical
• The final amount of Mississippi Power support had not been established
• A separate Department of Public Safety grant requiring a local match of up to 50 percent had reopened
• The department asked the board to consider how much local funding it might be willing to commit before an application is prepared
• Possible uses included equipment, personnel, traffic enforcement, DUI enforcement, and Highway 49 interdiction work
• The board discussed the long-term effect of creating grant-funded positions
• No application amount or city match was approved

No vote taken.

c. Fire Department

i. Kevin Sharpe Pay Increase

The board considered a pay increase for Kevin Sharpe.

New rate: $10 per hour.

Motion made and approved.
Passed

Fire Department Grant and Equipment Needs

The Fire Department participated in the discussion of ATVs and emergency-access equipment.

Discussion included:

• Smaller vehicles would help responders reach flooded or blocked areas
• Police and fire personnel could share the grant-funded equipment when needed
• A previously awarded grant had funded approximately $40,000 in extraction equipment
• Additional equipment remained in production

No vote taken.

d. Public Works

i. Archie Gray — Water and Sewer

Christopher O’Neal

The board considered termination of Christopher O’Neal.

Motion made and approved.
Passed

Smoke Testing and Sewer Investigation

Discussion included:

• Mississippi Rural Water had begun smoke testing
• Smoke testing is being used to locate sewer leaks, breaks, and places where stormwater may be entering the system
• Public Works personnel were accompanying the testing crew and documenting locations
• The work will help determine where point repairs are needed

No vote taken.

Additional Public Works Employee

Gray requested authorization to hire another employee.

Discussion included:

• The department currently has three employees
• Water, sewer, meter, and repair work has continued to accumulate
• Gray said the department needed another person to divide the workload
• Hood Industries employees had already begun contacting the city about work
• The proposed rate was $14 per hour
• The hire would remain subject to the normal application and employment process

Motion made and approved to authorize one additional employee at $14 per hour.
Passed

Street Repairs Following Water and Sewer Work

The board discussed which department should pay when water or sewer repairs require pavement to be cut.

Discussion included:

• Water and sewer repairs that damage a street should be charged to the Water and Sewer enterprise fund rather than the Street Department
• Temporary gravel repairs frequently wash or scatter out of the cut
• Board members asked that repaired areas be completed with a more durable surface
• Staff discussed using more suitable patch material and completing permanent repairs after underground work is finished

No separate vote taken.

ii. Cassandra Arrington — Street Department

Alex Williams III

The board considered termination of Alex Williams III.

Motion made and approved.
Passed

Phyllis Darcy

Darcy was expected to be away from work for approximately five months because of shoulder surgery.

Discussion included:

• Darcy is a part-time employee
• She asked whether her position could be held while she recovered
• The personnel handbook allows the board to approve leave without pay
• The department said it could operate without filling the position during her absence

Motion made and approved to place Phyllis Darcy on leave without pay.
Passed

John Morris

The proposed hire did not move forward.

No action taken.

e. Municipal Court

No separate report was presented.

f. City Engineer

i. MDOT AIP Grant Application — Phase 1 Land Acquisition

The board considered authorizing the mayor to execute an MDOT Airport Improvement Program grant application in the amount of $6,534 for Phase 1 land acquisition.

Discussion included:

• The application concerns MDOT’s share of expenses already associated with the project
• City expenses have included appraisals, surveys, and related work
• No new land acquisition was planned during the current year
• A board member asked why the special-needs shelter near the airport was not opened during the flooding
• Emergency-management staff explained that the building is controlled by the Mississippi Department of Health and is intended primarily for ambulatory patients evacuated from nursing homes or hospitals
• The city may request activation but cannot open the building independently

Motion made and approved.
Passed

ii. MDOT AIG Grant Application — Phase 1 Land Acquisition

The board considered authorizing the mayor to execute an MDOT Airport Improvement Grant application in the amount of $10,370.

Discussion indicated that the application was connected to an earlier bus-barn land-acquisition phase.

Motion made and approved.
Passed

Airport FBO Building

The city engineer reported that the city had received a $500,000 multimodal grant for the airport FBO building.

Discussion included:

• The grant is expected to connect the building to the city sewer system instead of relying on septic service
• Other airport work may be included if funding remains
• A windsock previously removed from another project may be restored
• The grant requires no local match

No vote taken.

iii. Water Tank Aviation Light Change Order

The contractor submitted a $4,000 change order to mount the aviation warning light permanently on the water tank.

Discussion included:

• A Notice to Airmen had been issued regarding the light
• The light had been held in place with ropes
• The proposed work would permanently weld or mount it to the tank
• Board members questioned why permanent mounting had not been included earlier

Motion made and approved.
Passed

Water and Sewer Rate Public Meeting

The public meeting on proposed water and sewer rates was scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Discussion included:

• The city engineer will prepare a one-page information sheet
• The sheet will show recent system expenditures
• It will compare current system revenue and expenses
• It will show possible increases of approximately 75 percent, 100 percent, and 115 percent
• Rates in nearby Mississippi towns and cities will be included for comparison
• The city’s rates have not been increased in approximately 18 years
• The board discussed the need to explain that customer bills include water, sewer, and garbage charges
• No rate was adopted during the July 7 meeting

No vote taken.

Border Avenue Shore Repair

The engineer reported that materials for the Border Avenue shore-repair project were being shipped.

No vote taken.

Highway 49 Improvements

Letters had been sent to agencies involved in proposed Highway 49 improvements.

A response had been received from USDA, and the city was waiting for information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

No vote taken.

Church House Creek Boardwalk

The project package had been submitted for review.

No vote taken.

Hall Street / Legacy Drive Detention Pond Discussion

The board discussed requests involving detention ponds associated with commercial development.

Discussion included:

• The city’s land-development code requires developments to control additional stormwater runoff created by pavement, roofs, and other hard surfaces
• The Alexanders previously proposed one shared detention basin for multiple lots along Legacy Drive and Heritage Drive
• The engineer said a shared basin can work better than multiple small basins
• The basin would need appropriate grading, slope protection, fencing, permanent grass, and access for maintenance
• Legacy Drive has not yet been accepted by the city
• A separate request involved property near Hall Street
• Developers had asked whether detention property could eventually be conveyed to the city
• Accepting the property could require the city to mow, dredge, repair, and maintain it
• Board members expressed concern that accepting one privately constructed pond could create a precedent for other developments
• The city may have approximately 15 detention ponds that could later generate similar requests
• The issue may need to be addressed formally in the land-development code

A motion was initially made to deny acceptance of the property.

That motion was withdrawn.

A motion was then made to table the issue.

Tabled

GCRF Meeting

The engineer announced a Gulf Coast Restoration Fund meeting scheduled for the following morning at 9:00 a.m. at the development district office.

Potential city projects could be discussed at that meeting.

No vote taken.

Sewer Line Near the Cabin Store

The engineer reported that a sewer line in the woods near the cabin store was lying on the ground and was broken.

Discussion included:

• The line had been located and mapped
• The engineer characterized the work as an emergency repair
• Smoke testing may identify additional point repairs that could be added to the project
• Public Works did not have the equipment or personnel needed to complete the larger repair internally

Elevated Sewer Lines

The board also returned to the condition of elevated sewer infrastructure.

Discussion included:

• The elevated line was not described as an immediate failure, but repairs are becoming necessary
• Earlier estimates discussed were approximately $125,000 to $150,000
• Public Works said it did not have the equipment needed to complete the work
• Board members said the city should not wait indefinitely for possible FEMA assistance
• Approximately $571,000 in use-tax revenue was discussed as a possible funding source
• Additional use-tax revenue was expected later in the year
• The work would include the broken ground-level sewer line, elevated sewer repairs, and associated point repairs identified through smoke testing

Motion made and approved to use available use-tax funds for the necessary sewer repairs.
Passed

The city engineer also thanked the Wiggins Police Department and Stone County Sheriff’s Office for recovering equipment stolen from his building within approximately two and a half hours.

g. City Clerk

i. City Bus — Heather Anderson

The board considered hiring Heather Anderson as a part-time city bus driver.

Discussion included:

• The current driver is returning to school
• Changes to her school-bus schedule prevent her from continuing in the city position
• Anderson was recommended and submitted an application
• She requested the same rate paid to the current driver
• City staff recently met with a program representative to learn the reporting and documentation requirements associated with the bus
• Staff had not previously been given clear instructions concerning daily reports, signatures, and other records
• Additional online training was scheduled
• Board members noted that residents use the bus for medical appointments, physical therapy, grocery trips, and other essential transportation

Motion made and approved to hire Heather Anderson as a part-time city bus driver.
Passed

Employee Pay Review

The city clerk provided information concerning employee pay rates and length of service.

Discussion included:

• Pay rates vary considerably across employees and departments
• The clerk asked the board to review the information during budget and personnel planning
• No executive session was held for this discussion

No formal action taken.

XII. Aldermen / Mayor

Board members were asked whether they had additional matters to raise.

No separate formal action was taken.

Senior Center

The board was informed that Crown Care will stop operating the senior center effective July 31, 2026.

Discussion included:

• The center is expected to close unless another operating arrangement is developed
• Crown Care had been operating under a month-to-month agreement
• Crown Care may be interested in leasing the building for another purpose
• The board said the city intends to retain the facility
• The senior center will be placed on the next meeting agenda so the city can develop a plan for the building and its services

No formal action taken.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., when the board will conduct the public meeting concerning water and sewer rates.