Flowood board authorizes police grant application, accepts $20,000 for community policing and OKs fireworks contract

At a Feb. 17 mid-month session the Flowood Mayor and Board of Aldermen unanimously approved several police-related measures and a fireworks contract for the city’s May festival. Mayor Gary L. Rhoads presided; Alderman Donald Flynt was absent.

Police Chief Richie McCluskey presented a resolution designating a specified unmarked police vehicle for department use; the board approved the resolution after a motion by Alderman Deron Harmon that was seconded by Mayor Gary L. Rhoads. The minutes do not record debate or dissent.

The board also authorized Chief McCluskey to apply for the Fiscal Year 2016 Police Traffic Services Grant in the amount of $51,507; Alderman Deron Harmon moved the authorization and Alderman Kathy Smith seconded. Separately, the board authorized acceptance of $20,000 held by the Rankin County School District that had been received through the Mississippi Community Oriented Policing Grant; Alderman Kathy Smith moved the acceptance and Alderman Deron Harmon seconded. Both measures recorded unanimous approval by board members present.

Why it matters: the traffic-services grant application could fund enforcement, equipment or traffic-safety programming if awarded; acceptance of $20,000 from a community-oriented policing grant is intended to support school-related or community policing activities, though the minutes do not specify program breakdowns.

Also on the Feb. 17 consent agenda the board approved a contract with High-Tech Special Effects, Inc. for a fireworks display at the Flowood Family Festival on May 9, 2015, at a contract amount of $3,200. The motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Alderman Kirk McDaniel and seconded by Alderman Kathy Smith.

The board adjourned with no further business recorded.