Aldermen Expand Utility Authority
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WATER VALLEY — In a special called meeting Feb. 27, the Water Valley Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to expand the Water Valley Electric Commission to oversee the city’s water, sewer and sanitation services.
With the vote, the body will now operate as the Water Valley Utilities Commission.
The resolution passed 4-0. Voting in favor were Alderman-at-Large Herbie Rogers, Ward One Alderman Joe Magnuson, Ward Three Alderman Grant Thompson and Ward Four Alderperson Nicole Folson. Ward Two Alderman Demetrius Ingram was absent.
The expansion was enacted by resolution under Mississippi law, which allows municipalities to create and structure utility commissions by order of the governing authority. The change became effective immediately upon the mayor’s signature.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds told the board the move would place the city’s utility operations under one governing body and better synchronize services.
“This would place the water department and the sewer department and garbage under the utility,” Reynolds said during the meeting. “The name would be changed to Utilities Commission.”
The Water Valley Electric Commission was originally enacted by the Board of Aldermen in August 2025 during the first meeting of the city’s new four year term. Commissioners appointed from the city are Brandon Presley, Terry Allen Jr., Dr. Barry Weeks, Ray Hawkins and Dr. Vickie Person.
Reynolds said consolidating oversight is consistent with how many municipalities structure their utility systems and emphasized that the board retains appointment authority over commissioners.
“You appoint the commission,” Reynolds said about the Board of Aldermen. “If you don’t like it, you can appoint somebody else at the proper time.”
One of the first orders of business under the newly expanded commission is a cleanup of utility properties now under its control.
Presley, who serves as the Commission Chairman, said the condition of some utility properties is unacceptable.
“The nature and uncleanliness of the properties that are now under the jurisdiction of the Utilities Commission is completely unacceptable and is a disgrace to the citizens of Water Valley,” Presley said.
Presley said the commission is “taking the log out of our own eye before we try to get the speck out of our customers,” referring to efforts to bring utility property up to a standard that reflects community pride.
The commission has begun removing junk vehicles, outdated equipment and surplus materials that officials say have lingered for years. The commission’s attorney is working through the legal process required to dispose of surplus vehicles and equipment in accordance with state law. Once cleared, the items will be staged for public viewing ahead of an auction.
Tommy White has agreed to allow the commission to temporarily use his vacant lot near Jack’s to store the vehicles prior to auction. Details about the sale will be announced in the coming weeks.
Presley said the cleanup effort is part of a broader push for transparency and accountability as the newly formed commission continues reorganizing operations across electric, water, sewer and sanitation services.
