City of Meridian

The council meeting included a presentation on Lupus awareness, with details about a social event and a fundraising walk. The council approved several orders, including support for fiber optic line installation, a contribution to Meridian High School, re-appointments to the Building Code Board of Adjustments & Appeals and the Meridian Tree Commission, and an amendment to an order related to the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program. Additional orders covered a salary adjustment for the Clerk of Council, voiding an order form for timekeeping, a services agreement for on-site secure shredding, a master services agreement for computer system consulting and training, accepting a bid for pickleball court construction, re-establishing petty cash funds, authorizing the charge off of inactive water accounts, and authorizing an agreement for computer system backup management. The council also reviewed financial reports, discussed a legal advertisement for bids on a new animal control building, and heard comments from citizens and council members regarding community events, city maintenance, and safety.

The council discussed a motion to allocate a majority percentage of each department's budget, with a small remaining percentage placed in Legislative Special Projects for unforeseen emergencies, but the motion failed due to lack of a second. The council then discussed a request for small percentages of the budget to be held in Legislative Special Projects, but other council members preferred to accept the budget as presented by the Administration. The council approved and adopted the budget for the City of Meridian for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

The City Council convened a special meeting that included a Budget Public Hearing. The council discussed, passed, and adopted ordinances to provide revenue for the City of Meridian and to levy taxes for the Meridian Municipal Separate School District and Meridian Community College for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

The council discussed declaring equipment surplus, waiving fees for the Meridian Public-School District's use of the Frank Cochran Center, and authorizing the Boys & Girls Club to use the Frank Cochran Center for their annual fundraiser. They also declared their intent to participate in the National Opioids Secondary Manufacturers Settlements. The council authorized off-duty law enforcement officers to provide additional protection at public events for the Meridian Public-School District and approved the submission of project grant applications with the Mississippi Department of Transportation for transportation alternatives program grant funds. They also authorized the execution of a maintenance service agreement and a service order agreement. The council approved employee health care benefits insurance plans and options. The Mayor reported an increase in the city's total assessed value, leading to an increase in property tax revenue for the General Fund.

The council meeting included discussions and actions on several key issues. These included waiving fees for a charity golf tournament, changing the job/position title structure for police officers, authorizing a settlement agreement for Gulf Relay, LLC, and confirming appointments for various city positions such as Community Development Director, Civil Service Commissioner, Municipal Judges, and Prosecuting Attorneys. The council also approved the execution of FY26 Mississippi Office of Highway Safety Law Enforcement Grant Agreements, a cooperative agreement with Cintas Corp for first aid and safety equipment, a change order for sanitary and storm sewer rehabilitation, and a declaration of a state of emergency to repair a waterline. Additionally, the council accepted a bid for citywide pavement marking and discussed but tabled a decision on sponsoring the Meridian High School Jumbotron. The meeting also involved financial reports, claims dockets, and budget reviews.