All council members attended the Picayune City Council meeting on Tuesday, where Mayor Jim Luke opened the session with a proclamation recognizing September 2024 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

In his proclamation, Mayor Luke emphasized the prevalence of prostate cancer, noting that it is one of the most common cancers among men and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men worldwide. In the U.S., approximately 299,010 men are expected to be diagnosed this year, with around 35,250 projected deaths. Mississippi will see about 2,680 new cases and 410 deaths in 2024. The mayor urged residents to support initiatives that promote awareness, education, early detection, and treatment.

Following the proclamation, Councilmember Frank Ford, Angela Hill, and Stacy Wilks introduced Caitlin Kelly, a speaker and advocate for Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

Kelly, who has experience as a foster, adoptive, and biological parent, discussed her efforts to expand the Safe Haven Baby Boxes program in Mississippi. The initiative aims to prevent illegal infant abandonment by offering anonymous surrender options for parents in crisis. These boxes, installed at fire stations and hospitals, provide a safe, legal alternative for surrendering newborns. Kelly highlighted the need for education on Safe Haven laws, which many parents remain unaware of, leading to tragic outcomes. The program is funded through private donations, with each box costing approximately $15,000.

“The mission is not just about installing boxes, but about offering options and support to parents in crisis,” Kelly said, emphasizing the cultural shift the program seeks to create.

Later in the meeting, City Clerk Sid Albritton presented new budget recommendations, which include a 3% raise for city employees, maintaining level funding for all departments, and preserving healthcare benefits. Albritton also proposed reducing the millage rate by 1.9 mills compared to last year, which would lead to a $225,000 reduction in taxes for residents. The budget will be voted on at the next meeting, scheduled for Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

Councilmember Larry Breland commended the city’s finance team for balancing the budget while reducing taxes.