The Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen met for their regular meeting on October 7 at City Hall. Mayor Todd Booth presided over the meeting, with all aldermen present.
The Board handled a full agenda, approving several personnel changes, infrastructure updates, and community initiatives.
The Board approved the hiring of multiple new employees across city departments. Anna Ingram, Brittany Walker, and Jasmine Triggs were approved as part-time dispatchers at $12 per hour. Two new full-time patrolmen, Cedrick Allbritton and Frederick Murphy, were also approved at rates of $21 and $20 per hour, respectively.
Additionally, William McCullum was hired part-time with the Public Works grass crew at $9.50 per hour, and the Board accepted the resignation of Joseph Cooper from the same department. The Board also approved a pay raise for part-time garbage truck driver Marvin Doug Ashmore to $18 per hour, effective immediately.
Police Chief Walker was authorized to attend the 2025 Mississippi Chiefs Winter Conference in Oxford from December 8–12.
The Board unanimously approved Ordinance #258, which raises the base water rate from $14.89 to $19.89 for the first 2,000 gallons. The ordinance also includes a stipulation for a 2% annual increase to help offset the cost of system maintenance and future updates.
Two major project-related payments were authorized. The City Clerk was approved to issue checks for $84,135.90 to McKee Construction, Inc. for the ongoing water and sewer project along Frontage Road and $14,644.00 to Clearpoint Engineers for professional services related to the Mississippi Clean Water Initiative (MCWI) project.
The Board ratified Mayor Booth’s earlier action to purchase new Public Works vehicles and approved purchasing additional vehicles for the 2025–2026 budget year within approved funding limits.
The City will participate in the Toys for Tots program this holiday season, allowing collection boxes to be placed in city buildings.
In zoning matters, Johnny Gregory was appointed to the City’s Zoning Board Committee.
Property cleanup officer Susan McDonald presented her September report, leading to several enforcement actions. The Board approved fines for ongoing noncompliance, including $500 penalties for properties at 415 N. Main Street and 501 N. Main Street. The property at 202 West Bell Street was declared a health hazard due to unsafe living conditions and lack of proper utilities.
The Board approved budget amendments for the 2024–2025 fiscal year and accepted the September 2025 financial reports. Paid claims totaled $583,247.54, with unpaid claims of $213,183.99 and $435 in meter refunds.
Requests to purchase a Mendenhall Tigers advertisement banner and install “No Parking” signs on East Pine and East Street both failed for lack of a motion.
With no further business the meeting adjourned.
