Mayor gives financial update at Prentiss board meeting

Published 9:38 am Thursday, July 31, 2025

The Prentiss Board of Aldermen met July 15, at 6 p.m. for the monthly department head meeting at the Ronald W. Jones Memorial Safety Complex in Prentiss.

Mayor Tony Waits called the meeting to order. Hal Speights led the prayer followed by the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the adopting of the agenda.

Mayor Waits updated the employees regarding the town’s financial situation and the plan to resolve the deficit.

The mayor and board discovered many financial inconsistencies upon taking office July 1.

The office of the Mississippi State Auditor was contacted, and the board and mayor are actively participating in submitting all files, records, computers and other items requested by the state auditor’s office.

“It is our goal to bring clarity and transparency to the situation and to rectify any and all discrepancies on behalf of the Town of Prentiss,” said Waits.

“We will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation to protect the interests of the taxpayers and maintain the public’s trust,” he said.

The investigation is expected to take several months to complete while all irregularities are being examined and evaluated.

Because of the budgetary shortfall, the board hired Prince CPA Firm, PLLC to assist in moving forward with financial matters.

The town has secured a loan to borrow $248,522.00 pursuant to MS Code 21-33-325 which states a municipality shall have the power and authority to borrow money for the current expenses of the municipality in anticipation of the ad valorem taxes to be collected. The loan must be paid in full by March 15, 2026.

The board approved the signing of a modified loan agreement with Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District for the playground equipment at the former Lions Club Park. In October 2024, the former board voted to take out a low interest loan in the amount of $75,900 for the equipment. Loan payments will now begin Oct. 1, in the amount of $1,499.00 each month.

Police Chief Richard Browning reported the 2024 Hudson Drugs burglary has been solved. He noted six motor vehicle accidents, seven alarms, six escorts, 85 citations, 124 traffic stops, 98 complaints, eight investigations, 19 misdemeanor arrests and six felony arrests since the June board meeting.

In an effort to cut costs, Prentiss Fire Chief Michael Davis presented a modified fire department employee work and payment schedule with modifying shifts, comp time and vacation days. The board approved the change.

The board approved the hiring of Tyler Duncan for $11.00 per hour as a certified full-time firefighter effective Aug. 1. Jerry Shelton will be placed on the part-time firefighter list.

The board also approved Chief Davis’ training certification at the Fire Academy in August.

Public Works Director Don Jones reported 6,250,000 gallons of water were pumped in July and 3,808,250 gallons were sold for a loss of 39 percent. The town scored a perfect five on the annual water inspection.

Glendale Shoemake with property maintenance reported he has reached out to several business owners and realtors regarding unkempt properties in town. He performed an inspection at the new Le Nails location on Columbia Avenue and the rebuild at 1022 Fifth Street.

City Engineer Les Dungan presented bids received for the Prentiss-Jefferson Davis County Airport CARES grant. The board approved the signing of the application grant agreement by Mayor Waits and attorney Wes Daughdrill. and approved the motion to award the project to the lowest bidder, Dickerson and Bowen, contingent on agreement being approved. The project is for paving at the airport to include tarmac and hangar aprons.