Wiggins Board of Aldermen | June 16, 2026
At this meeting: The board hired three police officers and approved fire department personnel changes. A downtown business owner proposed monthly movie nights on Pine Crest and raised concerns about economic conditions affecting small businesses. A public notice bond resolution passed with no protest. A $250,000 airport grant with no local match was accepted. The city engineer announced a two-inch water line found running open in the woods — potentially losing 85 million gallons per year. A water and sewer rate workshop was scheduled for the following Tuesday at 5 p.m. Alderman Jared Harris delivered a prepared statement on accountability and financial transparency, citing missing meeting minutes, negative general fund balances, and unresolved audit issues dating to 2021.
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, June 16, 2026.
IV. Approval of Agenda — June 16, 2026
The agenda was amended to add a Post on Pine item.
Motion to amend made and approved.
Passed
Motion to approve amended agenda made and approved.
Passed
V. Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting, June 2, 2026
A spelling correction was noted on page three — the word “rescind” was misspelled and needed correction to R-E-S-C-I-N-D.
Discussion included:
- Alderman Christopher Aliel submitted a resignation letter at the end of May; the 30-day notice period from the letter and subsequent call has elapsed
- He has indicated he will return his keys, uniform, and letter and turn in all city property
- He has not been able to work and is aware of the resignation process
Motion made and approved.
Passed
VI. Approval of Docket of Claims — June 16, 2026 (Claims 18872 through 19018)
Motion made and approved.
Passed
VII. Approval of Payroll — June 5 and June 12, 2026
Motion made and approved.
Passed
VIII. Citizens’ Comments
Note: The speakers during Citizens’ Comments is the same person who produces this summary. That is disclosed here in the interest of transparency. No editorial weight has been added to this item beyond what was said on the record.
Sundee Williams — Zone 8 LLC
Williams addressed the board regarding the city’s two official websites and the impact of a recent Google search change on the city’s digital visibility.
Discussion included:
- Google implemented a material change in May 2026 that now surfaces AI-generated answers at the top of search results, pulling from sources that can be validated as accurate and trustworthy
- The city’s two official websites — cityofwiggins.com and the cityofwiggins.gov — currently conflict with each other and contain outdated information
- Because the sites conflict, Google does not treat either as a credible source; as a result, the City of Wiggins does not appear in AI-generated search answers
- This affects residents and businesses looking for information, people considering relocating to the area, and — critically — grant researchers attempting to validate the city’s credibility and economic profile
- Stone County is currently second only to Georgetown in growth; visibility in search directly impacts the ability to attract residents, businesses, and funding
- Williams asked the board directly: given that her company’s consulting contract was rescinded at the previous meeting without discussion or the opportunity to respond, what is the board’s plan for the city’s web presence going into budget season and an era of AI-driven search?
- An alderman asked how the issue specifically affects grants; Williams explained that grant researchers using AI tools may not surface the city as a credible result if the official websites are in conflict or out of date
No action taken. No response from the board beyond the follow-up question.
X. New Business
a. Crown Care — Senior Center
Danicke from Crown Care was scheduled to present but was unable to attend due to weather. Item deferred.
b. Steve Daigle
Item removed from agenda.
c. Dillon Pitts — Buttler Snow — No Protest Bond Resolution
Dillon Pitts presented on behalf of Buttler Snow regarding a bond resolution for a development project.
Discussion included:
- No protests were filed during the required notice period
- The board was asked to approve the no protest resolution to allow the project to move forward
Motion made and approved.
Passed
d.Tricia Eubanks, Wiggins business owner addressed the board about closing Pine Hill Saturday.
Movie Night Proposal:
- The business owner proposed closing Pine Hill at 8:00 p.m. on select Saturday nights to host outdoor movie nights, projecting onto the building rooftop area
- First event proposed for the following Saturday; film: Grease
- Subsequent events would feature family-friendly, classic, and varied films
- The business owner noted that new downtown lighting is too bright for projection using the original plan and would need to be managed
- Neighboring businesses are aware and supportive; residents in the area had not all been formally notified prior to the meeting
- The business owner cited the economic impact of community events, referencing a Jeep event that drew 50 vehicles and participants from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee — many of whom stayed the weekend before Jeeps on the Coast
- A restaurant in a neighboring city recently closed; another Wiggins business closed the day of the meeting; the presenter noted the economic pressure on small businesses is significant and events that drive foot traffic are important
Motion made and approved to close Pine Hill at 8:00 p.m. for the movie night event.
Passed
XI. Departments
a. Land Code Administrator
i. Seymour Engineering
Discussion included:
- The gas station project on Highway 26 is progressing under a new contractor
- The state has taken over inspection of underground fuel tanks; once tanks are inspected and approved, the contractor will return to finish the project
- Concrete has been poured; the state inspection report is expected to be submitted to the city
- Building officials expect no remaining issues with the project
ii. Donovan Scruggs
Alderman Jared Harris recused himself and left the room for this portion of the meeting due to a family connection to one of the applicants.
Planning Commission Approval — Landmark Home, Mobile Home Dealership
Mr. Scruggs presented a planning commission action from their recent meeting for board ratification.
Discussion included:
- Justin Harris and Miles Allison submitted a request on behalf of Landmark Home to operate a mobile home dealership
- The property is located on West April and was rezoned to C3 several years ago
- The property meets all requirements for the requested use under C3 zoning
- The property is adjacent to a residential area to the north; however the rezoning of the property itself was already completed previously
- No one appeared in opposition at the planning commission meeting
- The planning commission voted 3-0 to approve
Motion made and approved by the board to ratify the planning commission approval.
Passed
b. Police Department
Golf Cart / ATV Ordinance — Added Discussion
The police chief raised an urgent issue following a court case lost that day.
Discussion included:
- The current golf cart ordinance does not explicitly prohibit ATVs from operating on city streets
- Mississippi state law does not prohibit ATV street use — it is left to individual municipalities to regulate
- The city lost a court case that day because the language in the current ordinance does not include a specific prohibition on ATVs
- The court must reimburse the tow cost to the individual whose vehicle was towed
- The current ordinance specifies a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour and certain equipment requirements, which effectively describes a golf cart but does not name ATVs
- The municipal code has not been updated since 2016; updated ordinances are not posted on the city website, causing confusion for residents coming from outside the city limits
- The city pays approximately $1,000 per year to have the municipal code maintained but updates are not being reflected online
Item referred for formal agenda placement at the July meeting.
i. Voluntary Disability Awareness Vehicle Sticker Program
The police chief presented a proposal to implement a voluntary disability awareness sticker program.
Discussion included:
- Residents with PTSD, dementia, hearing impairment, or other conditions could voluntarily register with the police department; their doctor must sign off
- Once registered, information is stored in the dispatch system — not on a public record
- When an officer is dispatched to an address or stops a registered vehicle, dispatch will notify the officer of the relevant condition
- Officers also receive a photo of the registered individual
- The program is designed to help officers approach situations with appropriate de-escalation from the outset rather than defaulting to a higher-alert response
- Stickers would be placed on vehicles and residences of participants
Motion made and approved.
Passed
ii. Consider Hiring of Thomas (TJ) Gilbert as Full-Time Police Officer
Discussion included:
- Gilbert previously worked at the fire department but is a certified police officer; he previously served with the Sheriff’s Department
- After discussion with the chief, Gilbert indicated police work aligns better with his certification and goals
Motion made and approved.
Passed
iii. Consider Hiring of Kenneth Clark as Full-Time Police Officer
Discussion included:
- Clark is a certified officer currently working in Ellisville; he recently relocated to Wiggins
- He has a past arrest on his record that was expunged; he completed counseling and has had no further issues; a recommendation letter from his former chief was provided
- The board reviewed the package
Motion made and approved.
Passed
iv. Consider Hiring of Sammy Piraino as Part-Time Police Officer
Discussion included:
- Piraino previously served with the department, left on a medical situation, has been cleared for approximately one year, and is currently working at Ellisville State Hospital full time
- Being sought as a part-time officer
Motion made and approved.
Passed
Note: The department is currently one full-time officer short. Total staffing including full-time, part-time, and reserves: approximately 20.
c. Fire Department
i. Accept Resignation of Thomas Gilbert — Effective June 16, 2026
Gilbert’s resignation from the fire department was accepted to allow his transition to the police department.
Motion made and approved.
Passed
ii. Consider Approval of Full-Time Hire — Jacob Martin
Discussion included:
- Jacob Martin has no prior firefighting experience but brings special skills as a painter
- Recently married and seeking a career with more stability
- Hire is pending completion of pre-employment requirements
- Proposed starting pay: $12.50 per hour
Motion made and approved pending pre-employment requirements.
Passed
iii. Discussion — Adding One Full-Time Firefighter to Roster
The fire chief presented a staffing concern.
Discussion included:
- The department runs three shifts; one shift currently runs with two personnel instead of three
- C shift is consistently short; part-time staff cover daytime but the situation creates overtime and overwork
- The chief raised the issue for discussion and budget consideration; a formal hire was not voted on at this meeting
- This item was flagged for the upcoming budget process
No vote taken.
iv. Consider Approval of $0.75 Raise for Kellen Vann — EMT-B Certification
New rate: $13.25 per hour
Motion made and approved.
Passed
v. Consider Approval to Send Kellen Vann to MSFA Basic Fire Fighter Class
Discussion included:
- Vann was added as an alternate for a class that began June 15; another participant did not show and Vann was pulled into the class
- He is currently enrolled in the academy for the next 7 weeks
- Cost: $500
Motion made and approved.
Passed
d. Public Works
i. Archie Gray — Water and Sewer
Sandbags are available at the barn for residents who need them. The department also noted bags are hung and a shelf is in place on the east side of the facility.
ii. Cassandra Arrington — Street Department
No report presented.
e. Municipal Court
No report.
f. City Engineer — Ryan Tice
Cul-de-Sac — South McGregor / Madison Avenue
Discussion included:
- The school superintendent contacted the board asking for a response regarding a cul-de-sac request on Madison Avenue
- The board had previously discussed but declined to take the project on alone; the county declined to participate
- A letter is to be written to the school district notifying them the city will not be moving forward
Ryan Tice to draft the letter.
i. MDOT Multi-Modal Funding Agreement — Dean Griffin Memorial Airport
A $250,000 grant from MDOT was presented for the FBO building at the airport.
- 100% grant funded — no local match required
- Mayor’s signature required
Motion made and approved.
Passed
Water Tank Project
- Preconstruction meeting scheduled for the following morning at 10 a.m. at the engineer’s office (Woodland Tank)
- School certificate of occupancy inspection scheduled at the academic building on Thursday
- Plans for a new police department building are being developed; Matt Kirkland’s group will prepare plans and specs for a bid
Elevated Sewer Line Repair
Discussion included:
- Estimated cost: $125,000 to $150,000 for 65 fixtures
- Previous estimate had been higher; refined numbers came in lower based on comparable recent project pricing
- Pile caps for the Border Avenue Shore repair are on back order and due in July 12
USDA Flooding Request — Denied
The city submitted a request for USDA funding related to sewer flooding; the request was denied.
Discussion included:
- However, USDA will participate when flooding causes active detriment to a structure or road improvement within a 24-hour rain event
- The city should document any such events with photos and written notice to USDA
- With ongoing heavy rain, there may be eligible events to document
Water Loss — 2-Inch Line Found Running Open
Discussion included:
- Public Works Director Archie Gray discovered a 2-inch water line in the woods running at full pressure — open and unaccounted for
- At 20 psi, a 2-inch line running open loses approximately 85 million gallons per year
- The duration of the leak is unknown; it has now been shut off
- This finding is directly connected to the ongoing water loss investigation and the gap between water produced and water billed
Water and Sewer Rate Study / Workshop
Discussion included:
- The city engineer and city staff have been compiling water and sewer financial data; Susan White is assisting with rate analysis
- Multiple scenarios are being prepared for board review
- A water and sewer rate workshop was scheduled for the following Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- The workshop will be open to the public and may be available by Zoom for board members unable to attend in person
Sewer and DEQ — Go to Jackson
Discussion included:
- Board members discussed the need to go to Jackson and meet directly with DEQ and state funding agencies about the city’s sewer infiltration problem and need for infrastructure funding
- The recommendation was to complete the rate study first to have hard numbers in hand before making the trip
- Motion made and approved to pursue going to Jackson to secure funding for sewer and infiltration issues
Motion made and approved.
Passed
g. City Clerk
i. Consider Approval of $1.00 Per Hour Raise for Jadyce Lawton
Discussion included:
- Lawton was hired full time at $11.00 per hour; proposed new rate: $12.00 per hour
- She is taking over bus operations starting the following Monday, handles daily close-outs, customer communication, and general city clerk functions
- Board members noted she is doing great work
- Discussion arose around city website updates and live streaming — both have been identified as board priorities but not yet implemented; a board member noted that raises should be tied to progress on stated goals
- City clerk indicated she does not have bandwidth for website and live streaming work on top of current duties and suggested the board consider hiring someone specifically for those tasks
Motion made and approved.
Passed
XII. Aldermen / Mayor
a. Mayor Berry — New Vehicle Discussion
Discussion included:
- Two quotes obtained for a vehicle; one from Trismark, one from L. Tice (approximately 23 days out)
- Four-year term financing discussed
Motion made and approved to go with the quote for four years.
Passed
b. Jared Harris — Public Service and Accountability Statement
Alderman Harris delivered a prepared statement on public service, accountability, and financial transparency.
Key points raised on the record:
- In November 2025, the full board voted to begin live-streaming meetings on YouTube; seven months later, live streaming has not been implemented
- Budget request forms are required to be distributed at the June board meeting per the proposed budget calendar the board adopted; this had not been done
- Unpaid court fines total approximately $1.4 million; no formal effort to recover these funds has been initiated
- The city is missing meeting minutes for approximately 18 months
- The municipal code has not been updated online in approximately 10 years; the city pays approximately $1,000 per year for the code service
- An investigation of one or more previous city employees by a state agency is ongoing
- The city has not completed its fiscal year 2025 audit, which ended September 30, 2025; the deadline to submit is September 30, 2026
- The city clerk recently received a certified letter from the state auditor noting the city was out of compliance for failing to submit proper court reports; this has since been remedied but was noted for the record
City General Fund balance history (as stated on the record):
- FY 2024: -$790,000
- FY 2023: -$930,000
- FY 2022: -$1,200,000
- FY 2021: -$342,000
Cash balance report as of April 30, 2026 (as stated on the record):
- General fund: $260,896.99
- Senior center: -$800,000 (noted as separate from the general fund — the reason for this separation was questioned)
- Sewer upgrade cash balance: -$1,247,000
- Sewer system upgrade/rehab: $217
- Water and sewer restricted: $14,441
- Drinking water improvement: $1,333,000
- Water and sewer: $1,600,000
- Water and sewer only: $237,272
- Debt service accounts: $1,848 / $629,000 / $77,559 (three separate accounts)
- Infrastructure modernization: $561,782 (bond proceeds — not impacted by the bond resolution approved earlier in the meeting)
- Beautification: -$30,000
- Cemetery: -$5,000
Alderman Harris closed by acknowledging his own accountability, referencing Mississippi Code 21-3-15 regarding the mayor’s superintending control of city employees, and apologizing for a prior instance of crossing that line with a city employee directive. He noted he would hold himself to the same standard he is requesting of others.
The statement was acknowledged by other board members. Several noted it reflected concerns from their own first terms and expressed appreciation for the accountability framing.
Adjournment
Motion made and approved to adjourn until Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
This summary follows the agenda in order and reflects the substance of each item. It is intended to document what was discussed, what action was taken, and what residents may want to know if they missed the meeting.