Booneville Aldermen Approve Sewer Repair, Police Hire, Grants

The Booneville aldermen worked through a long list of routine city business at their first regular meeting of November, including an emergency sewer repair, a new police hire, several grant applications and the city’s holiday schedule, the Booneville Banner-Independent reported.

Emergency Sewer Lift Station Repair

The board declared an emergency for repairs to the Jacinto sewer lift station and approved a quote for the emergency work. An emergency declaration lets a Mississippi city move ahead with urgent repairs without going through the normal, longer bid process, so the work can be done quickly to keep sewer service running.

For the gas department, aldermen accepted the low quote of $6,995 from Southern Pipe and Supply for an electric fusion machine. The machine is used to join plastic gas pipe. The street department got the go-ahead to seek quotes for two seven-foot bush hogs.

Booneville Aldermen Back Police and Fire Grants

Public safety took up a good part of the agenda:

• The board recognized patrol officers Elijah Jackson and Michael Crowson for recently completing the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy.
• Aldermen approved hiring a full-time, certified patrol officer.
• The new hires and academy graduates add depth to a department that, like many small-town agencies in Mississippi, works to keep patrol shifts fully staffed.
• The police department may apply for a Mississippi Office of Homeland Security grant, a cybersecurity grant and the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) grant.
• The fire department may apply for a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant. The foundation funds equipment for first responders.

Tax Exemptions for Local Industry

The board also approved final ad valorem tax exemption orders for Marathon Cheese Corporation and Pro Via, LLC. Mississippi cities can grant industrial property tax exemptions for new investment. Marathon Cheese, one of Booneville’s largest employers, announced an expansion and new jobs earlier this fall.

City Holiday Schedule

In keeping with the governor’s holiday order, aldermen set these city holidays:

• Thanksgiving: Nov. 26 and 27
• Christmas: Dec. 24 and 25
• New Year’s: Jan. 1, 2027

The academy recognition follows the Oct. 30 graduation ceremony in Tupelo for the latest North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center class, which had 25 graduates, including officers from Prentiss County agencies.

Residents should expect city offices to be closed on those days. Check with the city about any changes to garbage or other service schedules.

Booneville’s Board of Aldermen usually meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public.

Earlier coverage: Booneville Aldermen Cut Wheeler Drive Speed Limit to 20 mph and Prentiss County Officers Graduate Law Enforcement Academy.

Source: Booneville Banner-Independent / Daily Corinthian