By Shaun McInnish, Sr., City Beat Writer, Pelahatchie News
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Pelahatchie met in regular session on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Mayor Karl Vanhorn called the meeting to order, followed by the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call was taken with Alderwoman Diane Hill, Alderwoman Sandra Harvey, Alderman David Gray, Alderman Eddie Jones, and Alderman James Harrell present.
Residents or Visitors’ Business:
Kathy Mosley addressed the board regarding her water bill.
Department Discussions: Police:
During department discussions, the Police Department brought forward a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Pelahatchie and the MS Dept of Transportation for a new LPR (License Plate Reader) system. The MOU allows the town to put the system into MDOT right-of-ways to track crime, placing up to 12 LPRs in and out of town. It was noted that Natchez and Vicksburg have recently done it and the town can opt out at any time. Alderman Jones made the motion to approve the MOU, seconded by Alderman Gray, and the motion passed with all in favor.
The board then discussed and enacted a $30.00 fee for insufficient funds on court and police fine payments. Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderwoman Hill, and it passed with all in favor.
The police department also reported that office renovations are mostly completed. They requested to use drug seizure funds to pay $1,400 for all new chairs and $1,400 for blinds at the large front office window. Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderwoman Hill, and the motion passed with all in favor.
A separate request to use limited Drug Seized Funds for PD emergencies was taken off the agenda for now.
New Business:
1. Discuss, consider, and vote to approve minutes from previous regular board meeting (August 3, 2026). Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderman Gray. All voted in favor, and the motion passed.
2. Discuss, consider, and vote to approve the payment of the unpaid claims docket. Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderman Gray. The motion passed with a 3-2 vote, with Alderwoman Harvey and Alderwoman Hill voting nay.
3. Discuss, consider, and vote to approve disbursement of bank draft payment to Morgan and White Insurance which secondary to BCBS ($1,117.16). Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderwoman Hill. All voted in favor, and the motion passed.
4. Discuss, consider, and vote to approve bank draft payment to EMC Insurance which carries the city’s property insurance ($6,804.32). Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderman Harrell. All voted in favor, and the motion passed.
5. Discuss, consider, and vote to approve bank draft payment to Blue Cross Insurance ($8,792.60). Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderman Gray. All voted in favor, and the motion passed.
6. Approval and ratification of payment of payroll for August 2026 - General ($73,092.79), Enterprise ($28,866.63). Alderman Jones made the motion, seconded by Alderman Gray. All voted in favor, and the motion passed.
Alderman Discussions:
During the alderman discussions, it was noted that the local washateria building on the square has been sold. It was also noted that there are street lights out in the area, and caution tape has been put on poles that have lights out. The board noted the need to check street lights on Dillard Ave. and the one next to the car wash in town.
Alderman Harrell reported washed out crossings at 503 and 505 Grimes.
Executive Session and Adjournment:
The board entered into an executive session at 6:25 p.m. At 6:40 p.m., the town attorney made an announcement citing a case of extraordinary emergency which would pose immediate or irrevocable harm or damage to person or property within the jurisdiction of the public body, falling under the Open Meetings Act Section F.
The board came out of executive session at 6:51 p.m., noting that one matter was only discussed.
Adjournment:
Alderman Jones made a motion to dismiss, seconded by Alderman Gray. All voted in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
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