At the city council meeting on Aug. 20, the council recognized Councilman Breland and City Engineer Devin Hedgepeth on their birthdays.

Mayor Jim Luke discussed the upcoming budget, highlighting several key issues. He noted that city employees did not receive a raise last year and expressed the hope that a raise could be included in this year’s budget. Mayor Luke also emphasized the need for a balanced budget and a reduction in millage.

The mayor and council recognized Tom Kelly of the Pearl River Emergency Amateur Radio League for his work with local emergency services. Kelly, who collaborates with the fire and police chiefs, briefed the committee on the league’s activities. The organization provides training and qualifications for individuals to assist with emergency services, operates without dues, and aims to enhance communication skills and support emergency operations.

Kelly, a retired Homeland Security professional with extensive law enforcement experience, outlined the league’s goals, including augmenting existing emergency services and assisting members in obtaining ham radio licenses. The league’s training covers radar reading, dispatch management, and message delivery via radio. The organization is supervised by Shawn Wise, Director of Communications for Pearl River County.