Leland City Council Tuesday, July 1, 2025 meeting summary
The Leland Board of Mayor and Alderpersons met July 1, introduced a new board lineup and approved a slate of financial, personnel and infrastructure items.
Vice Mayor Barbara Brooks (Ward 1) was introduced, alongside alderpersons Jonnie Jones (Ward 2), Deon Morris (Ward 3), Michael Street (Ward 4) and Nancy Jo King (Ward 5). City Clerk Aundrea Barber, Mayor’s Secretary Debbie Keen and City Attorney Josh Bogen were also present.
Mayor John Lee’s appointment of Brooks as vice mayor was approved, though King noted she would have liked to be considered. Brooks and Lee were also authorized to attend the Mississippi Municipal League Black Caucus later in July in Biloxi, with Jones designated to vote on behalf of the City.
The board accepted the resignation of Adam Thompson as water department operator and hired licensed operator Lee Chillis at $600 per month. Members also voted to update signatures on all City accounts to reflect the new administration.
Donley Drakes of the Black Bayou Water Association told the board his group had been forced to maintain Elizabeth’s sewer system for decades without profit. He requested the City assume direct billing for Elizabeth customers, while the association continued to handle water bills. The board tabled a sewer rate decision until a later date.
Fire Chief Dquan Wilson reported progress on restoring the condemned Temple Theater at 203 Fourth Street, saying owner Billy Johnson was awaiting blueprints for renovations. Wilson said the fire department expected to receive a ladder truck and an additional fire truck from Cleveland in November. He noted plans to seek approval from the Leland Historic District Committee for an addition to the fire station to house the new equipment. The board approved $1,517 to replace medical supplies lost in Sara Hester’s house fire and requested two construction estimates for the proposed fire station expansion.
Police Chief Jimmy Myrick received approval for Anita Glenn and Mary Lewis to attend the Mississippi 911 Conference in Biloxi in August.
Officer Kayla Flowers, who graduated from the academy June 26, was promoted from third class to first class with a salary of $18.49 an hour.
Grant writer Andrew Smith presented updates tied to the Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure (MCWI) program. The board approved procurement policy changes, an anti-lobbying policy and the submittal of responses to MCWI requests. Several related invoices were also approved, including $9,912 to Gardner Engineering, $127,276.70 to Timbo’s Construction pending documentation, $20,000 to R & M Electric for six transformers, $4,897 to Atwell & Gent, $6,792 to Platinum Power and $3,067 to Harvey Services for lift station repairs.
Finally, the board voted to rehire all City employees, approve salaries and pay bills totaling $161,981.38, including additional bills of $20,301.33.
