By Shaun McInnish, Sr., City Beat Writer, Pelahatchie News
The May 2026 Pelahatchie Mayor and Board of Aldermen regular meeting was held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at town hall. Mayor Karl VanHorn presided and called the meeting to order. Alderwomen Diane Hill and Sandra Harvey, along with Aldermen David Gray, Eddie Jones, and James Harrell, were in attendance for the proceedings.
Resident and Visitor Business:
Lagoon and Water Treatment Project: Representatives from Waggoner Engineering provided an update to the board on the ongoing lagoon project, noting communications with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality regarding better aeration. The project was rebid late last week, drawing 18 bidders total for the plant and relocation work. The total bid came to $6.3 million, representing a $1.3 million decrease from the initial bids received in January 2026.
Funding has been secured through a combination of a 10 percent loan and 90 percent in grants. The town’s financial responsibility for the loan will be approximately $600,000, structured as a 30-year loan at approximately $2,200 a month. Officials confirmed that the current plan does not contemplate an increase in municipal water rates to offset costs. T.L. Wallace will handle the lagoon treatment work, while Thornton Construction was awarded the plant work at $815,000.
Pelahatchie Public Library: Librarian Brenna Renfroe presented the annual update for the Pelahatchie Public Library, announcing that the facility is now open on Fridays. Renfroe was recognized for her accomplishments in promoting literacy across Pelahatchie, noting that the library has hosted 4,150 visitors. The summer library program schedule was also announced, featuring Dirt & Dinosaurs on June 4, the Museum of Natural Science on June 11, and a Turtle Rescue event on June 25.
Patricia and Vince Cadotte: Patricia and Vince Cadotte addressed the board regarding a 13-acre multi-family property development by Woodlands Construction, which includes plans to build four houses. Discussion centered around a potentially narrow easement. The city attorney stated more information is required, as the easement is not currently depicted on the city map. Mayor VanHorn clarified that the driveway in question has never been deeded to the city. The builder has agreed to repair the road if construction activity causes damage. The matter was tabled at the end of the discussion, and no vote was made.
Department Discussions
Police Department: The board discussed and considered approving the use of seizure funds to upfit three newly purchased Ford F150 trucks for the police department at a total cost of $14,780 and some added vehicle striping. Funding will be sourced from a $12,000 check the department already holds, and the small remaining amount would be paid from the police seizure funds. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve the funds, and Alderwoman Hill seconded the motion. The measure passed with all in favor.
Later in the meeting, the Police Chief clarified a jurisdictional matter regarding unauthorized parking. The Chief stated the department cannot legally tow vehicles parked on private property; such removals must be initiated by the property owner. This restriction applies only to private property, as it is against city ordinance to park any vehicle in a public street in Pelahatchie city limits.
Zoning: Ed Little presented zoning plans for the development of several single-family residential structures on a vacant lot on the east side of North Avenue at the corner of Clayton. The development of five houses is contingent upon road construction costs. Little stated he would return again when he received the bids for the roads.
New Business: The board discussed, considered, and voted to approve the minutes from the previous regular board meeting held on April 6, 2026. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve, and Alderman Harrell seconded the motion. The measure passed with all in favor.
The board discussed, considered, and voted to approve the payment of the unpaid claims docket. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve, and Alderman Gray seconded the motion. The measure passed with a 3-2 vote, with Alderwoman Hill and Alderwoman Harvey voting no.
The board discussed, considered, and voted to approve the disbursement of a bank draft payment to Morgan and White Insurance in the amount of $1,061.66. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve, and Alderman Gray seconded the motion. The measure passed with all in favor.
The board discussed, considered, and voted to approve a bank draft payment to EMC Insurance for property insurance in the amount of $6,509.53. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve, and Alderman Gray seconded the motion. The measure passed with all in favor.
The board discussed, considered, and voted to approve a bank draft payment to Blue Cross Insurance in the amount of $8,534.16. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve, and Alderwoman Hill seconded the motion. The measure passed with all in favor.
The board discussed the approval and ratification of the payment of payroll for April 2026, which included $74,045.44 for the General fund and $26,365.15 for the Enterprise fund. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve the payroll, and Alderman Gray seconded the motion. The measure passed with a 3-2 vote, with Alderwoman Hill and Alderwoman Harvey voting no.
Mayor’s Discussions
PFAS Water Lawsuit: Mayor VanHorn discussed recent water testing and sought board approval to join a mass tort lawsuit regarding PFAS groundwater contamination. The national class action settlements, totaling up to $12.5 billion from 3million and $1.185 billion from DuPont, are open to public water providers like Pelahatchie (PWS ID: MS0610018) to fund testing and filtration. To secure direct infrastructure funding separate from the Mississippi Attorney General’s lawsuit, the town must take affirmative steps to submit a claim for funding by July 2026. Participation in the lawsuit is intended to help the town recoup funds necessary for replacing water meters and preventing any potential contamination. Alderman Jones made the motion to join the lawsuit, and Alderwoman Hill seconded the motion. The measure passed with all in favor.
(Editor’s note: More info about the PFAS Water Settlement can be found at www.pfaswatersettlement.com.)
Leisure District Ordinance: The board considered an ordinance to establish a designated leisure district within the town. In Mississippi, Alcohol Leisure and Recreation Districts (LRDs) allow patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages in designated areas, leave the licensed premises with an open container in a to-go cup, and consume them while walking. Both Jackson and Tupelo use LRDs to encourage foot traffic, tourism, and community socializing, for example. It was described in the meeting that this ordinance only applies to the Heritage District. Mayor VanHorn stated that the ordinance would not allow alcohol during the Muscadine Jubilee. Alderwoman Hill made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Alderman Jones seconded the motion. The measure passed with a 4-1 vote, with Alderwoman Harvey casting the only dissenting vote.
Short-Term Rentals: The Mayor and board briefly discussed a local property currently operating as an Airbnb to determine if the town receives any tax revenue from its operation as an Airbnb rental. The matter was tabled until next month for further research.
No Solicitation Ordinance: Mayor VanHorn stated he had received multiple complaints about roofing contractors’ unsolicited knocking on doors in town. Attorney Banks proposed a draft ordinance addressing unsolicited door-to-door sales. The mayor and town attorney noted the town already has an existing ordinance in place, but residents must post no-soliciting signs on their property for enforcement. The new proposed ordinance would require contractors to pay a permit fee and provide a photocopy of their driver’s license before knocking on anyone’s doors. The attorney said she would work on the draft ordinance, and the discussion was tabled until next month.
Alderman Discussions: During the open discussion period, Alderwoman Hill requested attention for a pothole located at 1107 Second Street. She also raised concerns regarding restroom access at Milltown Park. The Police Chief clarified that the facilities at Milltown Park are not public restrooms and will not be left unlocked.
Adjournment: With no further business from Aldermen Gray, Jones, Harvey, or Harrell, Alderman Jones made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderwoman Hill seconded the motion, and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m..
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