City board hires more workers
Before taking up a number of positions to fill in the workforce, the Holly Springs Mayor and Board of Aldermen heard from Eddie Jefferson regarding quotes for a wastewater pump station that would serve the Highway 7 North area at the Dec. 3 meeting.
A quote received at a previous meeting from tencarva machinery company for $116,534 was rescinded after the company said it wanted half of the payment up front because it has not done business with the city before.
The board rescinded that motion and approved a quote from Smith & Loveless, a company who has done business with the city, for a price of $115,749. The board approved Smith & Loveless to build the Highway 7 North pump station.
The board approved a motion to continue a month-to-month solid waste contract with Team Waste until the annual bids for city supplies and services are received and opened by Elliott & Britt Engineering.
The following positions were approved:
• transfer of Jerry Cathey from Buildings and Grounds to the Street Department at the same salary and at Cathey’s request.
• hiring of Omari Frierson as general laborer in Buildings and Grounds at $15.50/hour.
• hiring Kendrick Lewis as general laborer in Building and Grounds at $15.50/hour.
• hiring Javian Jeffries as meter reader at the utility department at a rate of $15.50/hour.
• hiring Anthony Jones as part-time meter reader at the utility department at $15.50/hour.
• hiring Kevontez Isom as part-time meter reader/floater at the utility department at $15.50/hour.
• hiring of Quentin Clayton as lineman at HSUD at $21.50/hour.
• hiring Carlos Washington as groundsman in the HSUD at $15.50/hour.
• hiring Kendrick Isom as right-of-way crew member in the HSUD at $15.50/hour.
• hiring Omarius Phillips as general laborer in the Gas Division at $15.50/hour.
• hiring Lamin Sise as general laborer in the wastewater division of the water department at a rate of $16.00/hour. Sise has his CDL.
• hiring Mikya Vaxter as uncertified police officer at $15.50/hour.
After an executive session the board:
• terminated two employees.
• heard a request from IT director Derrick Jefferson for a pay raise to bring his wages up to $30/hour. After citing a number of large projects he has done he added that he is the lowest paid director in the city “and I do a lot. I have came through on a lot of projects.” Jefferson said the average pay of a person in Mississippi at his level is $62,000 a year.
Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain asked Jefferson if he is paid over time, and said he could be already making as much when overtime is included.
Jefferson said he is paid overtime and “has to do a lot.” His current pay is $22.60/hour.
Fountain suggested if Jefferson’s pay is increased he could be put on salary.
“That’s something we would have to look at,” said mayor Sharon Gipson.
Fountain asked what the zoning administrator is making and was told by the city clerk it’s close to $49,000.
• authorized use of $200,000 in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to make payroll in the general city fund.
• approved a retainer check to Blackmon & Blackmon law firm to represent the city at the Public Service Commission hearing in January.
In other business, the board:
• approved payment of $1,249 to the Department of Finance and Administration for the November 2024 municipal court settlement.
• approved transfer of $944 to the general fund for the November 2024 Ncourt settlement.
• authorized new accounts for the City of Holly Springs Utility Department and the General City.
• ratified the payment of a monthly tax equivalency check of $150,000 from the HSUD to the general city fund.
• approved a request by the Marshall County Board of Supervisors to name the private access drive behind the Marshall County Jail, as Willie Flemon Drive.